250 participants included representatives of international organizations engaged in climate change in Vietnam and 200 students from universities, high schools and international schools in Da Nang.
The workshop aimed mainly to foster youth’s active and constructive engagement in climate action. The workshop provided an opportunity for local youths not only to engage in a frank and constructive exchange, but also to explore concrete and effective ways for engagement in youth’s everyday life to make the change possible.
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Workshop “Youth Action for Climate” |
The Head of Cooperation Section of the European Union Delegation, Mr Koen Duchateau said: “The ‘Youth for climate’ movement that is rapidly spreading around the world is a sign of the growing awareness in our societies that climate change is a reality already today. The EU has been in the front line of climate action and is keen to promote a learning dialogue and build support for the change necessary for the transition to low-emission, climate-resilient societies.”
In the workshop, participants listened to presentations on sustainable energy transition in Vietnam, as well as on three climate change adaptation projects in Thua Thien - Hue with support from Lux-Development.
The audience also learnt about how Da Nang and five other cities of Vietnam actively participated in One Planet City Challenge, which is an initiative led by WWF, or a success story in transforming into sustainable cultivation of Hoa Vang, an agriculture district of Da Nang.
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Local youths actively participate in activities of the workshop |
Particularly, participating students were shared with various examples, helping them understand how their lifestyles could affect climate change. Similarly, their choices for consumption will leave a great impact on the future. In other words, youths can play an important role in changing the current mindset of the Vietnamese society by practicing a life with low carbon emission, reducing daily consumption and use of pollutants, recycling wastes, protecting the environment, saving electricity and water, to name but a few.
After each presentation, participating students had opportunity to ask and discuss issues with the speaker, which made the workshop more open, effective and useful for both speakers and audiences.
The European Union Climate Diplomacy Week 2019
Every year, EU Delegations around the world reach out to communities and partner organisations, highlighting positive global action and collaboration on climate change.
This year, the the Delegation of European Union to Vietnam (EU) in collaboration with the Embassies of EU Member States and its partners, will showcase a series of activitiesaimed to raise public awareness on the urgent need, addressing climate change.
Activities are organised between 27 September - 6 October in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Hoi An include:
+ 27/9 PM: Workshop/discussion with students of Da Nang University (organised by the Climate Change Working Group and the University of Da Nang).
+ 28/9 AM: Cycling event in Hoi An, organised by Germany - GIZ in cooperation with Hoi An People Committee.
+ 03/10 AM: A movie screening "Chasing Coral" and a discussion with the youth.
+ 05 - 06/10: Cleaning operation in Long Bien Bridge area, in cooperation with Keep Hanoi Clean.
The target audience of the EU Climate Diplomacy Week is the young generations, whose futures are the most threatened by climate change. Climate change is a pressing reality today and, if we fail to act now, it will increasingly affect the future of the young, their children and grandchildren. It is time to respond to this call to action.
The chargé d'Affaires of the European Union, Mrs Axelle Nicaise said: “We want to show our support to the youth and value their efforts in bringing awareness to such a worrying and pressing issue like climate change. Earth's future depends on our engagement, and so does life as we know it. (add the element on youth demonstration last Friday) Hence, we would like to join forces and promote a more ambitious climate action.''
Viet Nam has been ranked among the five countries that are likely to be severely affected by climate change and its related disasters. Consistent to its international commitments regarding the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals, the European Union actively supports Viet Nam in mitigating the possible consequences through recyclable energy projects, and adapting to climate exchange through funding scientific research projects on climate change.
Within the 2014-2020 framework, the EU has funded EUR 320 million for programmes on environment, natural resources and climate change in Vietnam, and EUR 30 million for sustainable investment projects. In addition to this bilateral cooperation, Vietnam can also benefit from cooperation programmes funded by thematic budget lines and from regional programme.
Reported by Khanh Hung-Hoang Linh