UNICEF backs Viet Nam to enhance climate knowledge for future teachers

In response to the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and the ASEAN Day on Disaster Management, on the afternoon of October 6, the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) organized the Forum titled “Future teachers equipped with knowledge on disaster prevention and climate change adaptation - Women and children in disasters.”

The event attracted nearly 1,000 participants, including representatives from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Hanoi National University of Education, and various media agencies.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director General of VDDMA, emphasized that education plays an essential role in disaster prevention and climate change adaptation. Teachers serve as a vital bridge, helping students gain knowledge and develop skills to prevent and respond to disasters from an early age. Pedagogy students - the “future teachers” - will be the ones to sow the seeds of knowledge and spread the spirit of proactivity, responsibility, and compassion to future generations. This, he noted, is an indispensable foundation for building a safe and sustainable community in the face of disasters and climate change.

“The Forum today provides a space for students and future teachers to share, learn, and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, enabling them to confidently accompany their students and communities in disaster prevention and climate change adaptation.

I firmly believe that with the responsibility and enthusiasm of all delegates, teachers, and students, the Forum will help spread a humanitarian message and inspire concrete actions to protect women, children, and communities from natural disasters,” he said.

This year’s Forum focused on women and children - groups often more vulnerable due to insecurity, disrupted services, and a lack of protective mechanisms. According to the 2019 National Survey, nearly 63% of women had experienced at least one form of violence, and this risk increases significantly during disasters. In fact, after major disasters such as the 2020 floods and Typhoon Yagi in 2024, many evacuation centers became overcrowded, lacked privacy, and were short of support services, exposing women and girls to heightened risks of violence and exploitation.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, Chairman of the Council of Hanoi National University of Education, students - the future teachers - are both among the groups most affected by disasters and climate change and those with the advantage and responsibility to spread knowledge and coping skills within their communities. “Through this forum, students have the opportunity to exchange updated data and current scientific trends, thereby building a solid foundation of knowledge. At the same time, climate experts share practical insights to help them understand how to integrate disaster prevention and climate change adaptation into their future lessons,” he said.

Mr. Ly Phat Viet Linh, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Program Manager at UNICEF in Viet Nam, emphasized: “Investing in sustainable resilience instead of merely responding to disasters - that is our collective call to action.”

Building on this message, both UNICEF and UNFPA reaffirmed their shared commitment that every woman, girl, and boy has the right to live in safety and dignity, even in times of disaster. All these efforts aim toward a common goal: investing in resilience so that no one is left behind.

“You, the students, are the teachers of tomorrow - those who will sow the seeds of knowledge and hope for the younger generation. Each of your lessons will not only convey information but also help equip students with understanding and skills to protect the environment and adapt to climate change - the most fundamental and sustainable way to respond to today’s climate crisis.

Education is the foundation of change. When children learn and are inspired, they become pioneers in shaping a greener, safer, and more compassionate future. Let us spread a sense of responsibility toward the environment and community so that classrooms become spaces that nurture kindness, civic awareness, and action for the planet,” he urged.

In recent years, UNICEF has implemented its largest support package in a decade - worth over 7.1 million USD - to protect hundreds of thousands of children from the impacts of natural disasters and climate change. This funding has helped ensure that children can continue learning and access clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and psychological support. 

UNICEF has worked closely with the VDDMA, as well as relevant ministries and local authorities, to integrate climate and disaster risk factors into development policies, aiming to build a safer, greener, and more sustainable Vietnam for every child.