CIRAD: VAN News fosters inclusive dialogue, brings visibility to local knowledge and initiative

This merger reflects a recognition that agriculture and the environment are deeply interconnected. Agricultural systems both depend on and impact natural ecosystems — from soil and water quality to biodiversity and climate resilience. Whether through agroecology, which promotes farming practices that work with natural processes, or One Health, which addresses the health links between humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems, the integration of agriculture and environmental governance is essential to face today’s global challenges.

In this context of change, public communication through trusted platforms like Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News (VAN News) plays an enabling role connecting policy, science, and practice. Clear and accessible communication allows farmers and local communities to adapt with confidence, helps businesses see opportunities and incentives, and enables policymakers to coordinate efforts and build trust. By keeping communities up-to-date, VAN News fosters inclusive dialogue, brings visibility to local knowledge and initiatives, and creates a sense of shared ownership over the transition across multiple levels of stakeholders. 

​​At CIRAD, communication is not a standalone activity, it is integrated as part of our research and developmental activities. We recognize that effective communication is essential to ensure that research results translate into real-world impact. 

Within the scientific community, we foster dialogue and knowledge exchange through research platforms in partnership, which bring together experts from different disciplines and institutions to co-develop solutions and share learnings. In Vietnam, these include the platforms for “Markets and Agriculture Linkages for Sustainable Food Systems” (MALICA), “Agroecology in South-East Asia” (ASEA), “Management of Emerging Risks in Southeast Asia” (GREASE), and “Rubber Farming in Southeast Asia” (HRPP).

Beyond the research sphere, our projects also engage in communication for development—creating accessible, locally relevant materials, often in visual or audio formats, that help farmers and communities share knowledge within and between villages, supporting the wider adoption of good practices.

To reach broader audiences, we also work with trusted local media partners to disseminate research findings and promote public understanding of complex issues. A recent example is the Media for One Health project, implemented in partnership with CFI and supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The project provides training for journalists in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries to build their capacity to report on the One Health approach. By strengthening the role of the media, this initiative supports more informed public discourse and greater community engagement around complex scientific and developmental issues.

Dr. François Roger, Regional Director for Continental Southeast Asia,
 the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)

The Media for One Health project is supported by CIRAD's extensive regional presence over the past twelve years and the vast network of institutions across various sectors, including public health, animal health, economics, social science, and the environment. It also benefits from the university networks in Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, and Cambodia of the GREASE platform.

Additionally, the PREZODE initiative has compiled a comprehensive list of One Health projects, particularly focusing on Southeast Asia, making this information accessible to journalists. This collaboration aims to ensure effective communication and support for One Health interventions, enhancing the project's impact on addressing health challenges in the region.

In Vietnam, the advancement of the One Health approach has drawn the participation of a wide range of domestic and international organizations. Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News (VAN) plays an important role in supporting communication efforts, helping to raise public awareness, disseminate scientific knowledge, and promote dialogue between sectors on issues where human, animal, and environmental health intersect. At the same time, CIRAD (the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development), alongside other international and national partners, brings scientific expertise and contributes to collaborative research initiatives addressing emerging infectious diseases, food safety, sustainable agriculture, and climate change adaptation, etc. Through their complementary efforts, VAN News, CIRAD, and numerous other stakeholders strengthen the collective capacity to advance One Health principles in Vietnam, ensuring that communication, scientific research, and policymaking are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.