Eight representatives in total attended the Learning Exchange Event to share and discuss their experiences with the construction, operations and effectiveness of each of their CLCs and CEEC in each of their respected communes. They were able to brainstorm and establish an ideal model that was most suitable for each of their CLCs and CEEC. They strategized and spoke openly about each of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with past and future initiatives.
One of the most discussed issues was about budget concerns at each CLC and CEEC. The participants agreed that each of the CLCs and CEEC budget must be given and sponsored by individuals, communities, and from socio-economic organizations inside and outside the country. To receive funding, Mr, Tran Tan Dac, director of Nam Phu’s CLC commented that it is necessary to diversify the CLCs collaborator groups and create a broader communication network via radio channels in order to attract the participation and contribution of local people and larger organizations to CLC activities.
MCD initially collaborated and supported these CLCs and CEEC to create a local place to share stories and create awareness about their local environment, biodiversity, wetland, coral reef ecosystems and ecotourism initiatives. . MCD believes that biodiversity conservation, marine and coastal environmental protection activities can only succeed and have positive effects when local people and all authority levels understand the value and meaning of these sustainable practices. This event was to cultivate an action plan for the future that would enable each CLC and CEEC to function independently while using MCD’s principles as a foundation.
Ending the event, each CLC and CEEC established its own action plan for 2011 in order to find solutions for their weaknesses and find newer and creative ways to be more successful in the future.
On November 15, 2010, MCD organized a Learning Exchange Event between two Community Learning Centers (CLCs) from Giao Xuan’s commune, Nam Phu’s commune and one Community Environment Education Center (CEEC) from Van Hung’s commune. This event took place during a weeklong solidarity festival in Giao Xuan which included a series of conservation model presentation and promotional events.