Strengthening local democracy through increasing participation

This report summarises the findings of a 2-year pilot project to accompany municipal authorities and elected residents' representatives in handling the new (1998) decree for strengthened participatory local democracy in Vietnam. The project provided advice, training workshops and study tours. It was carried out in Halong, Quang Ninh Province, by national and local government bodies and with the support of the KAF. The analysis is based on a survey conducted at the end of the pilot phase. This survey and the questionnaire are attached as an annex. People were questioned on their perceptions and value of improvements in information, consultation and participation since 1998, on individual and shared responsibility and motivation to solve municipal problems. Views on democratisation and individual responsibility divided citizens into "receptive, supportive, sceptical and refusing" categories. The general conclusion of the report is that people's response shows their consent to the democratic reform process, and the increased openness of municipal employees.