The seminar was part of activities to celebrate the 62^nd anniversary of World Human Rights Day and the review of the ASEAN mechanisms for protecting and promoting human rights, including women’s rights.

Participants discussed effective measures to protect women’s rights through ASEAN’s mechanisms, enhance social organisations’ role in protecting and promoting women and children’s rights, and boost education about human rights in Vietnam and all ASEAN in general.

Participants said human rights belong to all people and indicate the needs, interests and capacity originating from inherent human dignity and should be recognised and protected by national and international laws.

During the process of Doi Moi (Renewal) and international integration, Vietnam has become a reliable partner of international and regional organisations. After its entry to the UN in 1977, Vietnam became a member of the human rights convention. After joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has always been committed to being a trusted and responsible partner of participating countries and regional organisations. Therefore, Vietnam is now playing an important role in shaping organizational structures and operations for ASEAN, including the structure of human rights protection.

As ASEAN Chair for 2010, Vietnam hosted a great deal of ASEAN summits and ASEAN Plus related meetings as well as hosting the inauguration of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) in April 2010.