KP/09.04.

04

INFORMAL WORKING GROUP on PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION (PPWG)

WORKPLAN 2004

Revised 09.04.04

I. Background

In October 2003 the Civil Society Working Group was renamed as the People’s Participation
Working Group (PPWG). The overall goal and objectives of the PPWG were revised accordingly
to reflect the development of the group’s purpose and character since its initial meetings in 1998
in Hanoi.

Goal: to support the Government of Vietnam in its efforts to enhance people’s participation in
their own development and the development process in Vietnam including participation in
development policy design, implementation and monitoring.

Objectives: to promote 1) an enabling environment and capacity building for enhanced people’s
participation and 2) coordination of activities for efficient use of resources invested in this area

It was also agreed that the new PPWG will draw up an annual work plan.

II. Principles for work plan and organisation of work

To ensure the effectiveness of group interactions a core group of regular participants was formed
to take on the coordination role.

While considering the 2004 work plan, it was felt that the PPWG’s tradition of knowledge-
sharing and discussion could be maintained. This provides a basis for PPWG participants who
engage in activities outside the scope of the PPWG to meet around issues of particular interest to
enhance the cooperation and allow for synergies. PPWG participants thus share the commitment
of making the group a place to develop ideas and approaches that may be useful or inspirational
to its respective participants at the operational level.

The work plan is structured around regular meetings, which will be held - more or less - on a
quarterly basis. It is thus proposed to have four thematic meetings in 2004. Each meeting will
enable participants to reflect on important participation issues through presentations and
discussion and will also deal with ongoing business issues. Each meeting should contribute to the
production of the three general outputs (listed in the group’s mission statement):

- information and knowledge sharing

- clarification of concepts and
- promotion of dialogue.

Relevant and interested Government bodies as well as non-governmental organisations will be

invited to participate in the activities of the PPWG in order to promote dialogue and partnership.

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 KP/09.04.04

III. Work plan 2004

The work plan was drafted in February-March 2003 by the core group with inputs from
participants of the PPWG group meetings on December 9, 2003 and February 3rd.

Tentative Type of activity Theme

timing
April Thematic meeting “Clarification of concepts”

Through presentation and discussion participants will explore

some key concepts in Vietnamese and in English used in
relation to the issue of “people’s participation”. It will be
discussed how the terms and relevant concepts are used and
understood and ways to clarify terms will be explored.
Possible activities to help clarification in this area will be
presented and discussed.
May Partnership note Update on activities of the group

A brief note will be produced to feed into the partnership

report for the Mid-CG meeting in June.
June Thematic meeting “NGOs and Local Governance”

Through presentation and discussion participants will explore

the linkages between NGO sector development and local
governance. Exploring the legal framework it will be
discussed how linkages could be further enhanced.
September Thematic meeting “CPRGS: the role of Civil Society and NGOs”

To be further developed ….
October Partnership note Update on activities of the group

A brief note will be produced to feed into the partnership

report for the CG meeting in December.
November Thematic meeting “Lessons learnt from NGOs”

To be further developed ….

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