Lao PDR

UNDP News

Luang Prabang 21- 22 February

Vietnam join Provinces to discuss Civil Society-Government Partnerships

Provincial Conference on Government partnership with Civil Society Organisations in Luang Prabang Province

  Organised by PACSA and Supported by UNDP
and Concern World Wide

It was a great occasion to welcome high-level government officials from the regions of Luang Prabang, Phonsaly, Bokeo and Luang Namtha to join with international experts at the second provincial conference on ‘Government and Civil Society Partnerships for Poverty Reduction' held in Luang Prabang. The Governor of Luang Prabang and the Vice Chair Person of PACSA also both attended this special occasion. This particular conference focused largely on the new draft decree on associations in Lao PDR and its implications for CSO's in the country. This conference is a follow up activity of a national conference held in Vientiane 28-29 August 2007. The project also organised a regional conference on the same issue for four Provinces in the South, namely Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, Savannakhet and Champassack. This provincial conference was held in Savannakhet 1-2 October 2007.

The provincial conference, “Government and Civil Society Partnerships for Poverty Reduction”, explored the role civil society can play in poverty reduction, by inviting representatives from government, and social organisations to exchange their ideas and experiences.

Organized by the Public Administration and Civil Service Authority (PACSA) the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Concern World Wide, the Conference also saw international experts from Vietnam share their experiences of CSO's partnering with the government. Representatives from both NGO Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Vietnam (similar to PACSA in Lao PDR) and the South East Asia Research Association (SEARAV) were both present. Their sharing of knowledge gave the provincial government officials great insight into how they could partner with CSO's to achieve their development goals using the examples and experiences of Vietnam

The second day of the conference was led by Mr. Inthapanya Khieovongphachanh , Deputy Director General, Department of Law, Ministry of Justice (Vice Head of the Draft Decree Committee) who presented the new version of the draft decree. The presentation generated a very lively discussion that provided plenty of feedback for the drafting decree to work upon in the next crucial stages of finalizing the decree.

The key objective of the conference was to pave the way towards greater participation by CSOs in the Lao government's efforts to reduce poverty and achieve its development goals.

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For more information please contact Cathy Williams or Sou kphaphone Thongsavanh at the UNDP Public Information Office.

+ (856 21) 213395 ext 187 or 210, cathy.williams@undp.org, s oukphaphone.thongsavanh @undp.org

Notes for editors:

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partner.