The reason for life is not born naturally but is nurtured in a healthy educational environment, and the self-training, self-discipline and patience spirit of young people to overcome difficulties.

The affirmation was made by Mr. Dang Vu Canh Linh, Deputy Director of the Youth Research Institute at the online seminar entitled ‘Dedication Aspiration - Youth Life’ held not long ago by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

Nguyen Tinh (centre) shares information on waste recycling for Evergreen Labs customers at a workshop. Photo: T.Y

1. One year ago, after graduating with a major in International Business from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Tinh, born in 2000, decided to work in Da Nang.

Before that, Tinh searched for online recruitment information and was persuaded by the Evergreen Labs Da Nang - an innovative business laboratory, with the goal of innovating and creating sustainable solutions and projects which focus on solving environmental and social issues in order to create a circular and harmonious ecosystem.

Becoming a communications coordinator of Evergreen Labs, the young woman has the opportunity to participate in many projects that bring sustainable economic value to the people. She said what she felt happy about that every project and every job of Evergreen Labs touched the heart. Evergreen Labs is steadfast in its goal of keeping the planet green, and that aligns with what the 23-year-old girl is aiming for.

“At Evergreen Labs, I find specific goals and actions to protect the environment, such as operating a waste processing plant into commercial products as well as connecting and supporting the distribution of green and environmentally friendly products such as grass and wooden straws, organic packaging, paper boxes... “ Tinh said.

Having followed garbage collectors under 'The Collector Network' project to provide appropriate and sustainable methods, skills and ways of handling waste in Da Nang, Tinh realises that the lives of garbage collectors are still difficult and they have to be honoured for what they have contributed to the community. The joy of helping others helps the girl realize that what she is doing is right.

2. After 10 years of working with nature conservation at the Green Viet Biodiversity Conservation Center (GreenViet), Hoang Van Chuong, 36, affirms that his work brings him great spiritual value. “For me, spreading love of nature to the community is a mission and participating in nature conservation activities is a long-term and sustainable goal” Chuong emphasised.

With this goal, in 2017, after graduating with a master's degree in Conservation Biology in Australia, Chuong returned hometown to participate in nature conservation projects in Da Nang and some central regional and highlands provinces.

Also during this time, he and GreenViet built the Son Tra Nature Experience Education Center to bring a space for local students to explore and experience Son Tra nature.

It can be said that the Son Tra Nature Experience Education Center acts as a bridge connecting nature-loving souls, and sparks ideas of preserving and protecting the living environment in Da Nang. The centre has hosted a number of activities for the environment, including drawing contests about animals and plants, picking up trash, planting trees, and experiencing Son Tra's nature.

Moreover, GreenViet regularly organises the ‘I love Son Tra’ journey, and the Greenrace race to raise funds for planting 30 hectares of forest for ed-shanked douc langurs.

As Head of Development Department at GreenViet, Hoang Van Chuong is responsible for organising the programmes on planting one million urban green trees and building a Viet Nam nature conservation fund. To spread the spirit of running to raise funds for the community, Chuong himself ran 85km during the races.

Currently, Chuong and his partners at GreenViet, and a research and teaching team on the environment and biological resources from the University of Education - the University of Da Nang, continue to search for additional documents for the Da Nang Nature Documentation Information Page launched on January 6, 2023.

As part of the project on conservation activities towards two endangered primate species in Viet Nam in the post-COVID-19 period sponsored by Synchronicity Earth for GreenViet, the page has more than 1,600 documents on natural landscapes, animals and plants living in Ba Na - Nui Chua Nature Reserve, Nam Hai Van Special-Use Forest, Son Tra Nature Reserve, and Da Nang beach and river ecosystems, and red-shanked douc langurs.

Additionally, the page features a collection of articles, lectures, and illustrative videos so as to serve nature education activities for pupils in grades 1-12 as well as introduce some educational programmes to experience nature in Da Nang and other provinces and cities across the country.

3. Arousing the spirit of dedication for the community is also the goal of activities of Youth Union organisations. Not long ago, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union held an online seminar entitled ‘"Dedication Aspiration - Youth Life’, sharing many enthusiastic opinions of experts, social activists, and psychologists across the country. Thereby, the choice of a lifestyle with aspiration, dedication and civilised behavior is analysed in order to build a beautiful life value system for young people.

At the seminar, Mr. Dang Vu Canh Linh said that today many young people contribute to society in many different ways, such as developing environmentally friendly products, participating in volunteering activities, building a community of beautiful lifestyle and for the disadvantaged, or spreading human values in behavior and communications.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Dung, Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union believes that, young people, with knowledge and creative spirit, strong dedication, will contribute to building a more civilised, prosperous and beautiful city.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by M.DUNG