I. Review the leftist schools of thought on CS that u have learned (Liberal views) 1. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (G.W.F.

Hegel) - CS is full of conflicts, when their interests are divided into different branches or corporations - So the role of the proper State is to pursue the heterogeneity of interests and classes which strengthens the self-defeating capacity of CS - CS supports the flexible management of multiplicity and heterogeneity. 2. Karl Marx - Political society is the superstructure - CS is another vehicle for furthering the interests of the dominant class under capitalism - Social revolution, not CS is the method to fight against bourgeois class dominance - CS will actually develop in the society and the state of proletariat. 3. Antonio Gramsci - CS is a sphere outside of the state and the market, functioning based on a voluntary agreement among parties - CS is where the bourgeoisie is the unique idea and it controls countervailing benefits - CS is seen as the contributor of the cultural and ideological capital needed for the survival of the hegemony of capitalism V. Review the lobby and advocacy activities of CS in Vietnam - Definition of advocacy: + Advocacy means speaking out effectively on behalf of ones cause or community, and is a b asic element of a democratic system. It seek to bring about systemic social change. + One form of advocacy is lobbying. - Definition of advocacy: + Lobbying means persuading individuals or groups with decision-making power to support your position. + You can then lobby people with power to act in support of the needs and interests of those who do not have direct power and influence. + Lobbying can be used to influence anyone with power. - Lobby and advocacy activities of VCSOs: How is it now? + Vietnams Commitment to WTO about publicizing information of legal documents + Directive No.16 CT-TTg of the Prime Minister dated 2001 on policy advocacy + Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vietnam is assigned to perform the role as a liaison between businesses and State agencies in issuing social and economic policies + People get informed of and give their opinion on issued laws through the website of the Government, ministries, branches. + Newspapers and magazines also contribute actively in policy advocacy. Problems n Recommendations: + Legal basis of policy advocacy is not strong enough. There are no provisions to require the consultation with the people and private sector when issuing legal documents on economic and social aspects + The consultation is not thorough and completed. Detailed regulations may not be consulted. + The agency in charge of composing legal documents is not very objective when drafting documents and receiving comments in the consultation process. + The legal provisions on receiving consultation feedbacks and resolving issues which have different opinions are incompleted and unclear. Normally, only feedbacks/ideas suitable for identified objectives of the agency is received.

IV. What changes should be done to improve the effectiveness of CS organizations in Vietnam, especially in terms of solving the accountability issues? - Definition of Accountability: + Accountability is the basic principle of responsible practice for any institution, public, private or NGO (Edwards, Michael, NGO Rights and Responsibilities: A new deal for Global governance, 2002) + Accountability of CSOs means that individuals and organizations report to a recognized authority (or authorities) and are held responsible for their actions - Some accountability issues of VCSOs: + Competing demands of multiple stakeholders have negative effects on strategic accountability + Ambiguous institutional framework + The weak governance structure of CSOs: family-based organizations + Lacking transparency: Information on the financial transparency of CSOs in VN about their financial account public is not available + No coordination among donors for VCSOs development - Recommendations: + Improving the transparency of CSOs and ICSOs + Technical assistance for the better governance of CSOs: check and balance system + Financial resources for sustainability of CSOs + Institutional reform to ensure the independent and self-responsibility of CSOs: not donors-driven or government-driven + Legal framework for CSOs in policy making process; strategic accountability + ICSOs should support the increasing roles of VCSOs, not competition of informal relationship with key VCSOs + Coordination among donors for VCSOs development II. Describe the legal framework for CS in the US and China - Legal framework is a set of rules, procedural steps, or test, often established through precedent in the common law, through which judgments can be determined in a given legal case. A good legal framework can result in protecting Fundamental Freedoms when registration and operation, Integrity and Good Governance, Financial Sustainability, Accountability and Transparency, and creating linkage between CSOs and the State sector, the private sector and the others. - In the US: + Government does not involve in the establishment of any informal organization having common interests and objectives + Individuals do not need to be U.S. citizens to form a CSO + Freedom of Expression and Association in the U.S + Many exemption from state and federal taxes for CSOs: Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Corporate sponsorship regulations, etc - In China: + The Ministry of Civil Affairs and relevant affiliated supervisory branch manage and decide the establishment and registration of any social organization + Less intrusive way of management: The State supports organizations which provide social services while the Party and state authorities closely monitor advocacy, religious, critical and policy-oriented groups. II. Core dimensions of CIVICUS CS Index: - Civic Engagement, Level of Organization, Pratice of Values, Perceived Impact - Structure, Environment, Impact, Values