On January 5-6, 2023, the Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR), the Vietnam Water Conservation Network (VIWACON) organized a training workshop on Circular Resource Economy in the context of Localization and VIWACON Network Development in Phu Tho. The workshop is within the framework of the project “Collective Actions for Water Conservation” (CAWACON), under the Local Works program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

With the desire to implement the priority contents to contribute to environmental protection, the implementation of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, the workshop chose the topic of “Circular resource economy, localization, network development” with the slogan “Turn knowledge into action – Turn challenges into innovative solutions” to find creative solutions tailored to local needs, join hands to solve current water pollution problems; at the same time, attracting interested organizations to join hands and continue to develop the VIWACON Network.

The workshop had the participation of Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong – Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Lai Van Manh, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources & Environment, MONRE; Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Ly, Chairwoman of Management Board of CECR/Senior Advisor of VIWACON Network; Dr. Nguyen Khac Hung, CEO of CECR; more than 50 delegates represent the founding members of the Network: Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR); Center for Development of Community Initiative and Environment (C&E); Center for Sustainable Development of Water Resources and Climate Change Adaptation (CEWAREC); Institute of Environmental Science and Technology – Hanoi University of Science and Technology (IEST); Center for Conservation and Development of Water Resources (WARECOD); Vietnam Fisheries Association (VINAFIS); Environmental Economics Journal – Vietnam Association of Environmental Economics. In particular, the presence of partners in Hanoi, Da Nang, Yen Bai, Son La, Bac Ninh, Thai Binh, Ha Tinh, Binh Duong, and other localities across the country accompanied, participated, and contributed to the activities of the VIWACON network in the past two years.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Ly, Chairwoman of Management Board of CECR/Senior Advisor of VIWACON Network		Dr. Nguyen Khac Hung, CEO of CECR
Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong – Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment		Mr. Lai Van Manh, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources & Environment, MONRE
Dr. Ngo Huy Liem, Senior Advisor of VIWACON Network		Dr. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology – Hanoi University of Science and Technology (IEST)

On the first day of training, the delegates learned about regulations and policies on the circular resource economy presented by Dr. Lai Van Manh – Head of the Economic and Natural Resources Department, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources & Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. After that, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Ly – Founder/Chairwoman of CECR’s Management Board, Former Head of the United Nations Sustainable Development Department – UNDP Vietnam and Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong – Institute of Environmental Science & Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology provided contents on the circular resource economy from an international perspective, in water and waste management.

Some pictures from the first day of training:

On the second day of training, the workshop explored the topic of the Localization approach and Collective Actions in environmental protection through the presentation and coordination of Dr. Nguyen Khac Hung – CEO of CECR. Right after that, the core members, extended members, and potential members of the Network presented in the program had a look back on the two years of establishment and development of the Network with many meaningful and practically effective activities. Finally, Dr. Ngo Huy Liem brought “tools and methods” for the delegates to exchange and develop action plans for the development of the VIWACON Network for the 2023-2025 period.

Some pictures from the second day of training: