The signal to open from "Ecological Saving"
(Baonghean)Recently, the final conference to evaluate the implementation results of the Delgosea Project in five countries – Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam – took place in Bangkok, Thailand. Vinh City had the honor of representing four Vietnamese cities (Da Nang, Lang Son, Tra Vinh, and Vinh City) for the second time at the conference.
The Delgosea project, co-funded by the EU and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Germany), has been implemented in 104 schools in the Philippines and 150 schools in Thailand and Cambodia.
In Vietnam, the Delgosea Project has implemented the "Transfer and Application of Best Practices from Southeast Asia" model for three cities: the Eco-Savings Program of Marikina City (Philippines) applied to Vinh City; the "Preservation and Development of Ancient Towns" model of Phuket City (Thailand) applied to Da Nang City; and the e-Government model of Yogjakarta City (Indonesia) applied to Tra Vinh City.
The "Ecological Saving" program at Hung Dung I Primary School - Vinh City.
Photo: Huu Quan
With the support of the Delgosea project and the Association of Vietnamese Cities, in September 2011, Vinh City decided to select three secondary and primary schools in Hung Dung ward to pilot the "Ecological Saving" program for two years, 2011-2012. After nearly a year of implementation, the program has attracted many participants, from students and teachers to parents and the community. With 38 "ecological days" held at all three schools in Vinh City during the 2011-2012 school year (from September 2011 to May 2012), the total amount of money accumulated by students from recycling waste was over 80 million VND. Compared to the initial goal, this result did not fully meet expectations, but the indirect benefits of the program are very significant. Through the program, students are educated in life skills, develop habits and awareness of waste management, rational use and protection of resources and the environment; and understand the benefits that waste can bring. It is easily noticeable that students in Hung Dung ward have reduced the indiscriminate littering of paper in the schoolyard during recess, and have begun to learn how to sort and collect recyclable waste to participate in the program.
The communities in the pilot areas of Vinh City are gradually adapting, developing positive thoughts, actions, and practices regarding waste management, such as sorting waste at source. It can be said that the "Ecological Saving" program is very significant both theoretically and practically. When implemented comprehensively on a large scale, it will contribute to reducing pressure on the city's landfills and lowering investment costs for waste collection and treatment. This is also the goal of waste management in urban areas, especially in developing cities like Vinh City.
The initial results have had a positive impact on the city's community, influencing their mindset and awareness, contributing to the goal of building a civilized, clean, and beautiful city. Based on the experience and practical application in Vinh City, in April 2012, Ha Tinh City also visited to learn from the project and implemented it in 11 schools. Evaluating the initial results achieved by Vinh City, the Delgosea Project awarded the city a Cup and a Certificate of Merit for effective implementation.
On July 13, 2012, the Provincial People's Committee issued a directive to expand this model throughout the province. Accordingly, in the 2012-2013 school year, the City People's Committee will implement this program throughout the city, continuing to provide budgetary support to ensure more effective implementation in subsequent years. Specifically, the program will be implemented in 51 schools, including 23 secondary schools and 28 primary schools, with a total of nearly 33,000 students participating.
To further promote the positive results, in the coming period, all levels of government from the city to the wards and communes, schools, teachers, and the people and communities need to show even greater determination to implement the program; especially by continuing to leverage the assistance of the Delgosea Project and the Association of Vietnamese Cities in the transfer, monitoring, inspection, and support of the successful implementation of the practical model.
The government needs to establish financial spending mechanisms for the program, similar to those for environmental projects. Furthermore, provincial and city authorities need to strengthen the role of urban environmental companies in actively participating in the program and provide support mechanisms and policies for recycling facilities in their areas, enabling them to expand their business, comply with environmental protection regulations, and adhere to the Enterprise Law. At the ward and commune level, it is necessary to institutionalize the participation of the community, socio-political organizations, and businesses so that the "Ecological Saving" program truly makes a positive and significant contribution to addressing current waste and environmental problems.
