Stakeholder agency in rural development policy: articulating co-governance in Vietnam - in Vietnamese language

Using rural development as a critical lens, this book explores and reflects upon the complex relationship between modes of policy implementation and stakeholder engagement in Vietnam. To enable this, a set of case studies view issues connected to (1) policy formulation and implementation, (2) the rapidly changing governance structures and (3) change processes within interconnected sectors. The authors of this book have all conducted research or undertaken policy development in connection with the Research Cooperation for Sustainable Rural Development in Vietnam (RDViet Programme). Formal research cooperation between Sweden and Vietnam began in 1978. It is currently in its final period and will end in 2011. A number of significant research programmes have been supported during this time. The findings and evidence presented in this book have grown out of one such significant research programme: RDViet is a research and capacity building programme on rural development. It has a coordinating function for research activities within the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and is situated in the rural development sub-programme (see appendix 1 for more information on RDViet). One of the major conclusions of this book is that, owing to the gaps and inefficiencies in present rural development policies, stakeholders can either completely bypass many policies or adapt them in such a way that they are better aligned to their direct needs. Cast in a negative light, this outcome could be viewed as a problem in terms policy of compliance. Findings from the different cases suggest, however, that this trend can instead be viewed as a means to pave the way for a process that has already begun – power sharing and negotiation between the state, the commercial sector and civil society. This conclusion has been taken on board when formulating the PEARL concept, in which Sweden can share its lessons learned on co-governance on a level playing field. An important feature in the process of writing this book is the inclusion of actors responsible for the development of both rural development policy and the enabling environment for governance in Vietnam. In this regard the participation of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development (IPSARD), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam and the National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies (NISTPASS) a policy institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for the policy environment in Vietnam more generally, and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Vietnam, has been invaluable.

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