From March 9-11 at Ba Vi National Park, representatives of 6 core member organizations of the Vietnam Water Conservation Network (VIWACON) including Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR), Center for Development of Community Initiative and Environment (C&E), Center for Water Resources Conservation and Development (WARECOD), Centre for Sustainable Development of Water Resources and Adaptation to Climate Change (CEWAREC), Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (INEST), and Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) discussed and agreed on a common understanding of the role, functions, tasks and coordination mechanisms of the network. All 6 members also agreed to build a vision and specific action plan.

Mr. Dao Trong Tu, the representative of the Centre for Sustainable Development of Water Resources and Adaptation to Climate Change (CEWAREC), proposes promoting the initiative of using water smartly& reusing water

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, the representative of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (INEST), University of Technology, proposes activities in Da Nang

Vietnam Water Conservation Network is proposed to be established and coordinated by the Center for Environmental and Community Research (CECR). This activity is within the framework of the project “Collective Actions for Water Conservation” (CAWACON), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project is designed to raise awareness of society on water pollution and promote community initiatives to protect Vietnam’s surface water, prevent and control water pollution.

Ms. Dinh Thu Hang, director of the Center for Environment and Community Research, speaks at the workshop

Speaking at the workshop, the director of the Center for Environment and Community Research – Ms. Dinh Thu Hang said that the workshop had achieved the first successful step after agreeing on the perception, opinion, and work plan in the coming period. “This is an important step that sets the stage for building and developing the network in the future”, said Ms. Dinh Thu Hang.