Vietnam Future: Choices and Obstacles

You are invited to attend an engaging discussion on Vietnam and the current state of civil society. We will welcome philanthropist Doan Phung as well as Dang Huong Giang, executive director of Action for the City. Dang Huong Giang will speak about the burgeoning group of local, grassroots organizations in Vietnam focused on civil society, and Doan Phung is going to speak about the Vietnamese American community's role in this development. We look forward to seeing you at this special reception.

WHAT: East Meets West Foundation Reception - Vietnam's Future: Choices and Obstacles

WHEN: Wednesday, June 9th 6:00-8:00 PM

WHERE: 1611 Telegraph Ave, Suite 1200, Oakland CA 94612

RSVP: John Anner, janner@eastmeetswest.org or (510) 763-7045


About Doan L. Phung, PhD:

Doan and his wife have worked with more than 18 charity organizations since the early 1960s. They also run two charities of their own, the Fund for the Encouragement of Self-Reliance (FESR) and the Vietnamese American Scholarship Fund (VASF). Their work in Vietnam has been recognized by the United Nations with the UN-HABITAT Civil Society Innovation Award in 2008.

Doan uses his own money to support charity activities in human rights, anti trafficking, micro-credit, clean water, medical missions and education. He currently promotes establishing a think tank that works towards a future for Vietnam that is peaceful, democratic, and economically viable.

About Dang Huong Giang:
Dang Huong Giang founded Action for the City in 2006 to promote sustainable urban development. Action for the City, a registered local non-governmental organization in Hanoi, encourages citizens to minimize consumption of resources, carries out communication campaigns on reduction of transport emissions, and promotes green spaces and organic urban agriculture. Giang has been an active advocate for civil society in Vietnam for the past decade as a senior trainer and consultant for the Center for Community Empowerment and as Education Program Manager for Catholic Relief Services. Giang holds an MA in sociology from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.