Recently, the leadership and experts of the LEARN-VN project carried out a series of activities to promote and build a strategic partnership network in Thai Nguyen province, aiming to effectively implement local capacity-building programs.
The working delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Hung, Chairman of the Council of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TNUAF), and Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Institute of Forestry and Sustainable Development, who directly coordinated the activities.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Hung – Chairman of the University Council, TNUAF
During meetings with partners, Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha presented an overview of the project “Learning Hub on Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience in Northern Vietnam (LEARN-VN)”. The learning hub is designed to raise awareness and build capacity for local communities, students, and young people, contributing to the implementation of the Vietnamese Government’s national climate change strategy toward 2050.
Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha introducing the LEARN-VN project
At the Department of Education and Training
On April 8, a meeting was held between the leadership of the Thai Nguyen Department of Education and Training and the LEARN-VN project team to discuss cooperation in project implementation.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Hung emphasized the importance of close collaboration with local agencies, especially educational management units from primary to high school levels, in implementing climate change capacity-building activities for students and teachers.
Agreeing with this, Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha expressed the desire to share climate change learning resources with training institutions in the province. She also stated that the training components and the planned Climate Park would serve as experiential and practice spaces for students throughout the province.
On the local side, Mr. Dao Xuan Tan, Deputy Director of the Department, confirmed strong agreement and commitment to cooperating and supporting LEARN-VN project activities.
The meeting concluded with an agreement on coordination methods, especially the swift organization of training courses and experiential tours for teachers and students, aiming to raise community awareness on climate change.
The working team at Thai Nguyen Department of Education and Training
At the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs
On April 9, the project team met with leaders of the Thai Nguyen Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Hung emphasized the essential role of partnering with agencies that act as bridges to ethnic minority communities. He proposed promoting capacity-building activities within the project framework to help communities better adapt to climate change.
Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha also shared experiences and strategic orientations in interdisciplinary management, particularly the integration of climate change considerations into sustainable development policies for ethnic minority areas.
Both parties agreed to implement a series of activities, including training, workshops, study visits, and community communication, aimed at raising awareness and capacity for local officials and residents—especially ethnic minorities. Discussions also focused on climate-adaptive farming practices, sustainable resource management, securing stable livelihoods, and promoting green living for environmental and public health protection.
Mr. Phan Thanh Ha, Director of the Department, expressed a strong desire for long-term cooperation and emphasized the importance of raising awareness and capacity among ethnic affairs staff, thereby contributing to the region’s comprehensive and harmonious development.
The working team at Thai Nguyen Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs
At the Department of Agriculture and Environment
On April 10, the working delegation held a productive meeting with leaders of the Thai Nguyen Department of Agriculture and Environment. Discussions centered on: Raising community awareness about climate change and its impacts through training, workshops, and field visits; Promoting adaptive and sustainable farming models to ensure livelihoods; Developing the ACIS (Agricultural Climate Information Services) network locally.
Mr. Duong Son Ha, Deputy Director of the Department, fully agreed with the proposed initiatives and assigned the Agricultural Extension Center to coordinate with the Crop Production Sub-Department and the LEARN-VN project to carry out these activities.
Notably, the initiative to establish the ACIS network in Thai Nguyen received strong support from the department’s leadership. Both sides agreed to accelerate progress and organize a thematic workshop on ACIS in the near future, with the participation of local authorities and relevant stakeholders.
The working team at Thai Nguyen Department of Agriculture and Environment
At the Provincial Farmers’ Union
On April 11, the LEARN-VN project team met with the Thai Nguyen Provincial Farmers’ Union to discuss the potential for coordinated project activities. The meeting focused on: Raising awareness among union members about climate change and its impact on agricultural production; Organizing training courses and field trips on adaptive and sustainable farming models; Strengthening the Union’s role in connecting communities with the Agricultural Climate Information Services (ACIS) network.
Mr. Dang Thai Binh, Vice Chairman of the Union, affirmed the Union’s readiness to support the LEARN-VN project in promoting, mobilizing, and organizing practical grassroots-level activities to enhance climate change adaptation capacity among rural populations, especially in vulnerable areas. Both sides also agreed on initial coordination methods, including piloting outreach sessions and surveying the real needs of union members in selected project areas.
The working team at Thai Nguyen Provincial Farmers’ Union
Through these working sessions, the project delegation not only strengthened connections with local authorities but also laid the groundwork for sustainable partnership initiatives, helping to spread the core values of the LEARN-VN project.
The Institute of Forestry and Sustainable Development also committed to providing technical support, resources, and ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders during the project’s implementation.
This marks an important beginning, opening up opportunities for long-term cooperation between the LEARN-VN project and its partners, in a shared effort toward sustainable development, natural resource conservation, improved community livelihoods, and climate change resilience./.
