An interdisciplinary working team of Vietnam toured Norway from June 21-29 to study the North European country’s experience in promoting gender equality, preventing domestic violence and increasing the engagement of religions in community development.

The team, led by Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Le Ba Trinh, had working sessions with a number of Norwegian agencies, including the Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, KUN centre for gender equality and the JURK centre for legal advice for women, and a number of non-governmental and religious organisations in the country.

The sessions focused on the coordination between the government and health care, educational and religious organistions in social work and the sharing of experience in developing networks of social centres run by religions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Vietnam also shared lessons it learnt while encouraging the engagement of religions in social and charitable activities.

The Vietnamese team was introduced to Norway ’s legal system and agencies in charge of ensuring gender equality, preventing family crisis, domestic violence and supporting children and young people, as well as the roles of government agencies, NGOs and religious organisations in these fields.

During its stay, the team also visited the Vietnamese Embassy where it was briefed on the role that Norwegian NGOs play in the implementation of development projects in the framework of ODA programmes for Vietnam .

Ambassador to Norway Le Thi Tuyet Mai said the embassy is willing to act as a bridge linking Vietnamese ministries, sectors, localities and organisations with Norwegian partners, thus furthering the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Within the visit’s framework, the team also visited a number of good model in the fields of their interest.-VNA