Materials : Country/Review Paper
COUNTRY PAPER : VIETNAM
Office of the National Co-ordinating Council
on Disabilities of Vietnam (NCCD)
Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA)
Contents
- Review of achievements and shortcomings in the
implementation of the Biwako at the inception of the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons (2003 - 2012) in Vietnam;
- Views/plans on BMF implementation of your country for the rest of the
Decade, especially with regard to:
- Indicators for monitoring the implementation progress;
- Institutional mechanism for monitoring the implementation: e.g.,
National Focal Point on Disability, National Coordination Council on
Disability, National Statistical Office);
- Capacity Building and technical co-operation (e.g., disability
assessment, disability budgeting, project assessment from disability
perspective ) and
- A right-based comprehensive national policy.
1. Review of achievements and shortcomings in the
implementation of the BMF at the inception of the Asian and Pacific Decade
of Disabled Persons (2003 - 2012) in Vietnam.
a. Achievements
After having participated in the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to
conclude the Asian and Pacific First Decade of Disabled Persons in Otshu
City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, the National Coordinating Council on
Disability (NCCD) of Vietnam has timely drawn up plans of action and
collaborated with line Ministries and agencies in the country to implement
the Biwako Millennium Framework towards an Inclusive, Barrier - free and
Right-based Society in the Asia - Pacific Second Decade of Disabled Persons
(2003 - 2012). In early 2003, NCCD submitted to the Government of Vietnam,
other line Ministries and agencies its plan for implementing the 7 priority
areas which was adopted by the UNESCAP and approved by the said Meeting.
Then, information on the Biwako Millennium Framework and those 7 priority
areas have been widely disseminated through mass media, especially to
related bodies and “self help” organisations of disabled persons in the
country. In July, 2003, NCCD of Vietnam organised a two day Conference in
Halong City with 86 participants from line Ministries, branches, “self-help”
organisations of disabled persons and related NGOs. The conference has
concluded a long-term strategy towards an inclusive, barrier- free and
right-based society during the second AP Decade which was based on the BMF
and the 7 priority areas. Participants have agreed that all
disability-related activities in Vietnam would be mainly based on those 7
fundamental priorities. In addition, participants also added another
necessary area: public awareness raising for the whole society. This was
also confirmed to be an important area throughout the decade.
b. Shortcomings
As the limitation of the State’s budget, some of the agreed programmes
and activities have not been implemented.
2. Review/plans on the BMF implementation of your
country for the remaining period of the Decade.
To fully implement the BMF and those 7 priority areas for the remaining
period of the Decade, a national strategy which would stipulate specific
responsibilities of line Ministries and bodies should be formed.
- Pursuing the UNESCAP indicators on monitoring the progress and outputs
of the action plans of disability-related agencies.
- The NCCD of Vietnam is responsible for monitoring disability-related
programs implemented by related Ministries and agencies. NCCD has
co-ordinated with those Ministries and agencies to set up plans of action
for each priority area. NCCD has co-ordinated with the Vietnam’s Women
Union and other line Ministries of Home Affairs, of Health, of Education
and Training, of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, of Construction, of
Transport and Communication, of Post and Telematics for the implementation
of programs and activities related to those 7 priorities. Among these,
inclusive education was emphasised as a fundamental role towards education
of children with disabilities. Specific plans of action on those 7
priority areas are set forth for every 2 two-year period till 2012;
currently, the 2004 - 2005 action plan is being implemented.
- As for capacity building and technical co-operation, NCCD regularly
organises training courses, seminars and workshops aimed at empowering
disabled persons and at the same time, nominates capable disabled persons
who are communicable in English to participate in the training organised
by APCD. In addition, NCCD also organises seminars on the International
Convention on people with disabilities and others on state documents
related to the establishment of “self-help” organisations of people with
disabilities.
- To date, social awareness on disability related issues has been
improved remarkably. In the past, disabled people used to be regarded as
citizens who need to be provided with care and support. They were refused
to work in Government offices, companies as well as be enrolled in
schooling. As a result, they lived with inferiority complex and passively
received support and care from the society as a favour. At present,
disabled persons are recognised as citizens with full and equal rights,
favourable conditions to study and work toward their full integration into
the society. Annually, two days have been set for the welfare of people
with disabilities: the Day for PWD of Vietnam, April 18, which is
stipulated in the Ordinance for People with Disabilities; and the World
Disability Day of December 3rd. During these days, activities in caring
and supporting people with disabilities are broadcasted on mass media.
Institutions, organisations and related agencies from central to local
levels are actively involved in organising activities in supporting
disabled people namely: regular visits; provision of gifts, wheelchairs
and orthopaedic devices for people with disabilities; provision of
suitable jobs for the working - age disabled persons, education and
vocational training for children and youth with disabilities. In October 5
and 6, 2004, a national seminar on “The role of NCCD in strategic
development of disability related issues in Vietnam”, will be held in
Hanoi with almost 100 participants including leaders and from related
Ministries, branches and agencies as well as representatives from
organisations and NGOs working in disability related areas in Vietnam. The
seminar reaffirmed that NCCD is a strategic co-ordinating body, both in
short-term and long-term, in Vietnam for the implementation of the Biwako
Millennium Framework towards an inclusive, barrier -free and right-based
society with 7 priority areas in the Asian and Pacific Second Decade of
Disabled Persons (2003 - 2012).
office of The NCCD
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