Following the success of the mentorship program “Stories on the go” organized in 2020 and 2022, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Viet Nam Office collaborated with the Faculty of Journalism and Communications (FJC), University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (HCM-USSH) to launch the “Stories on the go” program for journalism and communication students in the Southern part of Viet Nam. After the application round, 20 students from the FJC were selected as mentees to participate in a three-day training course (December 21-23, 2023) at Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai province. This training course is the first activity in the “Stories on the go” journey for the selected students.
Student participated in the training, Dong Nai, December 2023
The objective of this training course is to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to explore the wildlife protection topic and develop journalism and communication products. During the three day-training, with the sharing and interactive activities of WCS Viet Nam, mentees learned about the wildlife supply chain, the legal framework on wildlife protection in Viet Nam, common violations and the risks of zoonotic diseases transmission at each stage of the wildlife supply chain. At the same time, participants had the opportunity to practice applying the learned knowledge to identify and report on a specific illegal wildlife trade case or violation. The mentees were also shared with experiences and techniques in collecting information, exploring wildlife protection topic and developing multimedia products from three experienced and professional journalists including journalist Phan Van Tu; Colonel, journalist Nguyen Hong Lam and journalist and writer Nguyen Thi Minh Dieu. In addition, communication expert Dang Van An, Director of Omega Media Ho Chi Minh City branch, guided the mentees how to develop a communication campaign for social projects.
Guiding mentees using wildlife violation identification, Dong Nai, December 2023
The training also created opportunities for mentees to learn about the wildlife protection work through wildlife night watching tour at Cat Tien National Park, visit Bau Sau Ramsar area and the Centre of Rescue and Conservation of Species, as well as discussed with representatives of the forest rangers and animal health care staff on the efforts and challenges in the management of forest protection, wildlife rescue and conservation. These will be valuable information for mentees to continue their “Stories on the go” journey with the accompany and guidance from experienced journalists and communication experts to develop and publish quality journalism and communication products reflecting diverse perspectives on the situation of illegal wildlife hunting and trade in Viet Nam.
The training course was conducted within the framework of the project “Wildlife Food Supply Chain” thanks to the support of Oak Foundation and the project “Improving the effectiveness of multi-sectoral collaboration in combating illegal wildlife trade from Africa to and within Viet Nam” carried out by the German Development Cooperation Organization (GIZ), on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Environment. field, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany (BMU), combining expertise and resources from five German Federal ministries, international organizations and NGOs.