UNESCO promotes ocean conservation education in Viet Nam

On the morning of June 24 in Hanoi, the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Institute of Educational Sciences, organized a workshop to review the 2024-2026 phase of the "Conserving Our Oceans" project. The event aimed to share experiences and discuss future directions at a time when marine ecosystems are facing mounting pressures from pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

The workshop also served as a forum for policymakers, education experts, and local representatives to exchange experiences on effective environmental education models and propose solutions for scaling them up in the coming years.

In his opening remarks, Professor Dr. Le Anh Vinh, Director General of the Viet Nam Institute of Educational Sciences, stated that the project has been implemented in Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An (Da Nang City) and the Can Gio Mangrove Forest (Ho Chi Minh City) since July 2024. To date, the project has successfully achieved its objectives, including conducting baseline assessments, developing educational materials, training teachers, and organizing educational and community outreach activities. A key highlight of the project has been its ability to foster close collaboration among schools, local communities, biosphere reserves, and other stakeholders in ocean conservation efforts.

According to experts, this community-based approach has enhanced the effectiveness of project implementation while also laying a solid foundation for sustaining conservation activities beyond the project's completion.

According to Miki Nozawa, Head of Education Sector, UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, the Project has effectively connected education, conservation science, and local practices, thereby raising awareness and encouraging students to take environmental protection actions.

One of the project's major achievements has been the development of a set of ocean conservation educational materials for teachers and students at different educational levels. The materials were designed in alignment with the 2018 General Education Curriculum, integrating marine conservation content into various subjects and enabling students to acquire knowledge through practical, real-world approaches.

The educational materials not only provide knowledge on marine biodiversity but also encourage students to address local environmental issues through learning projects, small-scale research activities, and community initiatives.

After two years of implementation, the project has provided training for 73 teachers and 16 local officials, while organizing 555 integrated lessons at 10 primary and lower secondary schools, engaging nearly 4,800 students. In addition, 870 students and 80 teachers participated in experiential activities at biosphere reserves, enhancing their understanding of marine ecosystems and environmental issues.

Communication activities also generated significant outreach. The competition "Drawing the Future of the Sea – Writing My Future" attracted more than 7,000 submissions; the "Blue Ocean - Green Future" campaign reached over 22,000 people through digital platforms; and the Blue Ocean Festival held in Hanoi attracted large numbers of participants.

Many competition entries reflected students' creativity in addressing marine environmental protection issues while demonstrating the younger generation's increasingly profound awareness of the challenges posed by climate change and ocean pollution.

At the workshop, Phan Van My, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment and Standing Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, stated that the project had enhanced awareness among students and local communities regarding the value of marine ecosystems while promoting environmental protection actions. According to him, linking education with practical experiences in biosphere reserves helps students better understand natural resources and their conservation responsibilities.

Ho Truc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment, noted that activities conducted at the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve enabled students to directly experience the ecosystem, thereby strengthening their environmental awareness. He emphasized the importance of maintaining and expanding experiential education models in the future.

Based on the project's achievements, participants at the workshop agreed on the need to sustain and expand ocean conservation education models. They also recommended further improving training programs, increasing field-based learning opportunities, supporting student-led initiatives, and enhancing the role of biosphere reserves as sustainable learning spaces.