CHANGE WITHIN REACH

Rise builds movements and communities, aiming for a society that is fairer and more equitable.
We bring change within reach, one issue at a time, in each community.

Angelina Trang Huỳnh, Executive Director of VietnamRise, a US-based organisation that seeks to promote social movements in Vietnam, shared that her organisation is the target of verbal attacks on Vietnamese official media.
She and other leaders of the organisation are often framed as "hostile forces" or "terrorists" who wish to overthrow the Party despite the fact that they have never been approached or interviewed by state-affiliated journalists.
"At first we did publicly address it, but then we stopped doing so because many young people don't really pay attention to state media. They know it’s state propaganda," said Huỳnh. "Nevertheless, this kind of propaganda, or disinformation, can be harmful if it gets repeated enough."
Yet, she realised that as an NGO, her media coverage pales in significance to that of the Vietnamese government, which holds a monopoly over traditional media in the country of 100 million.
"Instead of issuing public statements, we find it to be more effective to do direct outreach to the community," she said. "The key to fighting this kind of disinformation is to inform the community through first-hand experience, personal touch and word of mouth.
I think that independent media can certainly play a role in fighting this issue. They can reach out to us, shed light on our stories and work and not repeat state propaganda."

Why Rise?

The civic space in Vietnam continues to deteriorate, particularly for those working to promote human rights and democracy. Environmental degradation and climate change is a multi-generational challenge. Rise believes that social movements are a powerful vehicle to create positive and lasting social and democratic change in Vietnam.

Solidarity in community

When individuals recognize their struggles are not solitary, they gain confidence to engage in community action. Rise provides training programs aimed at identifying and building capacity for local communities and movements.

changing mindset

Movements must be able to ignite social conscience, cultivate public indignation, and push public opinion to confront worsening social conditions. Rise works to change what no longer fits within ourselves, our families, and our communities.

taking creative action

The more innovative and accessible the actions, the greater community participation and public attention they garner. Creativity is essential both in offline activism and in utilizing online tools effectively.

Our Programs

Movement Building Training

Drawing from social movements from around the world and in Vietnam, Rise’s training curriculum combines in-person gatherings and virtual experiences to share best practices, strategies, and action to build people power.

Movement Incubation

Investing in people and initiatives to catalyze social change is Rise's top priority. We support movements by providing seed grants and coaching at all stages, from brainstorming to project implementation.

network building

Movements in Vietnam face complex challenges that no single entity can solve alone. Rise, in partnership with allied organizations, works directly with affected communities. Rise serves as a nexus to connect communities and forge solidarity.

Rise was founded and is led by three female activists drawing experience from movement building in Vietnam and around the world. Our team is comprised of community organizers, artists, human rights defenders.

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