I learn, I play and I am safe

 
Youth training at Hoi An 2016

Youth training at Hoi An 2016 © Vo Thi Xuan Quyen, 2016, 2016

Objectives

The project aims to improve the natural disasters and climate resilience of young people, schools and communities in Hoi An city by: increasing awareness and capacity of local youths, schools and communities; empowering vulnerable people, particularly young people to identify risks and take short- and long-term actions; and building connections between youths, private sector and government.  

Background

Coastal communes in Hoi An City is highly exposed to flooding and climate impacts. Although local government and other stakeholders put a lot of efforts on developing and implementing environmental-friendly development agendas in Hoi An City, this coastal World Heritage Site still faces major challenges related to rapid economic growth and the impacts of climate change. There is a generally low level of understanding of community-based approaches to address disaster risk and climate change, lack of locally-relevant adaptation options and limited participation of vulnerable groups.

Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change. More than 50 percent of those affected by natural disasters worldwide are children and young people. Disaster and climate risks increase pressure to the high unemployment and vulnerable working conditions of young people. Moreover, they often face many obstacles and challenges due to their weak voice and participation, a lack of expertise, experience or inadequate institutional support.

Target beneficiaries

  • 300 pupils and 20 teachers trained
  • 50 youths trained and connected to green enterprises
  • 5 green enterprises participated 

Outputs

(i) Model of safe school is designed for youth in Cam Kim commune and neighboring areas:

The project has supported 4 schools (1 primary, 2 secondary schools and 1 University) in building safe school models; and provided training for 70 people including students, teachers and parents on awareness raising, disasters and climate change adaptation skills for school, which include planning for safe schools in adaptation to disasters and climate change. Schools have built program and road maps in improving safe school models, and organized piloted swimming classes for secondary school students.

(ii) Initiatives on safe school and future green career orientation were implemented for local youth:

The project has supported implementing initiatives from schools and local youth to apply model of safe school and green career orientation for local youth and students. Activities are diverse and are implemented at schools and students. For example “Green Hero” clubs are formed at 3 schools and extend to another 2 schools for sharing green living skills inside and outside schools. The “junior journalists” groups were also formed and prepare news/updates about local natural disasters and vulnerable areas. Hoi An reading – green living space were formed and help to share green actions within local community. These activities are done through school year and summer extra-curriculumn programs with supports in trip planning, discussion and sharing of good practices to create interest, excitement and active participation of 870 young people.

(iii) Young people and schools have built connection with local business to get support in green career orientation and encourage more sustainable solutions for local area:

10 small-scale green local enterprises were selected and introduced to young people to make connection with through field trips and learning days. Fieldtrips are recorded to bring positive impacts on young people, as the necessary and meaning of green and sustainable practices for local life are emphasized. The message on green growth and sustainability, which is one of the objectives of Hoi An City was also effectively conveyed to them. 

Accomplishments and challenges

These activities have been creating a change in awareness and actions of school students and community, especially for young students at Ly Thuong Kiet secondary school and youth in Hoi An, from which safer and more sustainable life can be achieved, especially in the challenging context of environmental degradation, natural disasters and climate change.

The main content of project activities are diverse and achieve its goal of building capacity of youth in adapting to changes in environment, natural disaster and climate. The project has promoted and utilized the creativity and pro-activeness for students. Using approach that aims at young people, this is a good practice for other projects.

The willingness and pro-activeness of students will create a long term impacts. Currently the participation of students in reading and “Green Hero” clubs have become a weekly basis. The dissemination of students and schools is high as inspiring individual actions can lead to motivated groups, which help to create changes within community for green and sustainable growth.

Regarding challenges, the project activities depends much on weather conditions in Hoi An, especially at the end of year 2016 when Hoi An is impacted from two big floods. These incidents have caused delay in progress of some activities such as piloted swimming class in Triem Tay, “Green Hero” day in Cam Kim high school, and the washing of seedlings in Ly Thuong Kiet secondary school garden.

 

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

  • Climate change: The project’s short term objective is to help youth improving thei adaptation skills to changes in environment, natural disasters and climate in Cam Kim commune, Hoi An.

  • Gender equality: All project activities ensure that female’s participation is about 40%. Moreover, initiatives at schools also receive active participation from school girls, as well as promote boys sharing the housework through making and using the cleaning products naturally made by them. 

Lessons Learned

The empowerment of children in implementing educational activities on environment has brought great change for them. Through the project, children can make contacts to local government to organize activities and draw their own lessons in using electricity and water as well as handling wastes and chemicals. Local leaders also appreciate children’s proactiveness and creativity in organizing their own activities. 

By bringing the green career pathway – green business theme into specific green practices that are related to local enterprises, it has helped to tell many inspiring stories to students and teachers who want to learn more and practice at home.

Local enterprises are willing to support community and schools and project to create a bridge that connects stakeholders. 

Project Facts

Country

Location

Cam Kim Commune and related area in Hoi An, Quang Nam, Viet Nam

Topic

Duration

1st Mar 2016 to 1st Mar 2017

MFF Grant Amount

VND 313,800,000

Co-financing Partner

Live & Learn

VND 162,000,000

Implementing Partner

Live & Learn 

No. 24, Kien Truc Phong Canh Village, lane 45A, Tay Ho, Ha Noi

Ms. Do Van Nguyet – Director of Live & Learn

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