Uniting Youth for Vietnam's Wildlife

Following the success of the 2022 and 2023 Student Conferences on Nature Conservation (SCNC), the SCNC 2024 took place on August 23-24, gathering more than 100 young conservationists, multi-disciplinary students, and experts.

The SCNC 2024 was co-organized by WildAct Vietnam, the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), the GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Center, and the University of Education - Da Nang University. Out of more than 60 research topics submitted from across the country, 25 outstanding topics were selected for presentation, including 14 oral presentations and 11 poster presentations. The discussions were vibrant and diverse, focusing on five key themes: biodiversity monitoring, combating illegal wildlife trafficking, wildlife rehabilitation and welfare, zoonotic diseases, and education and social communication.

This year's theme, "Uniting Youth for Vietnam's Wildlife" underscored the critical role of the younger generation in nature conservation. The conference welcomed not only those actively working in conservation but also participants from various fields with a keen interest in ecosystem preservation. This inclusive approach brought fresh, objective perspectives to the table, expanding views on interdisciplinary career and collaboration opportunities within the conservation field.

Dr. Nguyễn Trang, Director of WildAct Vietnam, shared, "We hope SCNC 2024 continues to affirm its position as a reputable forum for young conservationists. The conference serves as a sustainable foundation shaping the future of conservation in Vietnam. Through knowledge and experience sharing, we believe that SCNC, together with youthful energy, will create positive changes for the conservation community and sustainable environmental development. This is also an opportunity to forge strong partnerships that contribute to the protection and development of Vietnam's biodiversity."

With a total prize pool of 22 million VND, the conference honored nine outstanding specialized and non-specialized research topics across two main categories: Oral Presentations and Posters. We hope this conference will act as a catalyst for greater youth participation in the conservation workforce in Vietnam.

Master Trần Hữu Vỹ, Director of GreenViet, stated, "The shortage of human resources in the biodiversity conservation sector is a challenge we face. The number of students choosing fields like biology, forestry, or similar areas is dwindling, and those who do often struggle to find career opportunities. Therefore, it is essential to hold guiding conferences that recognize and motivate the next generation of young conservationists. We hope that in the future, more conferences will focus on creating career opportunities for passionate young people in biodiversity conservation."

Additionally, during the two panel discussions on "Career Development Opportunities in Wildlife Conservation" and "Conservation Stories – Perspectives from Young Conservationists," guest speaker Phan Phú, an Animal Welfare Technician at Animals Asia, shared, "As a wildlife care technician, I believe my work is not only about caring for animals but also about connecting deeply with nature. We, the young generation, are responsible for bringing innovative and effective conservation solutions while inspiring the community to recognize the importance of protecting rare species and their habitats."

A notable highlight of SCNC 2024 was the opportunity for participants with outstanding research to go on a field trip to Sơn Trà Peninsula. This gave participants a practical learning experience, exploring the unique ecosystem of the area, particularly the rare red-shanked douc langur. The trip facilitated young researchers to exchange knowledge and experiences with conservation experts in a real-world setting.

SCNC 2024 is a conference dedicated to the next generation of Vietnam's conservationists. It is an open platform where young researchers and conservationists can explore conservation programs in Vietnam. Looking forward, with trust and efforts to create opportunities from local conservation organizations like WildAct, a strong network between young conservationists and the broader conservation community will continue to develop.

Recap of Student Conferences on Nature Conservation SCNC 2024 - Uniting Youth for Vietnam's Wildlife

Further information about SCNC 2024:
The 09 excellent research papers selected by the judging panel of leading experts from WildAct Vietnam, FZS, GreenViet, and the University of Education - Da Nang University, awarded in the two categories of Oral Presentations and Posters, are as follows:

Oral Presentations Category:

  • First Prize:

    • Specialized topic: Nguyễn Trọng Đức

    • Non-specialized topic: Trần Mạnh Quân

  • Second Prize:

    • Specialized topic: Lê Minh Thiện

    • Non-specialized topic: Lê Phương Anh

  • Third Prize:

    • Specialized topic: Bùi Thùy Linh

    • Non-specialized topic: Võ Hoàng Bảo

Poster Category:

  • Best Poster: Lê Hoàng Phúc

Audience Choice Award:

  • Oral Presentation: Nguyễn Văn Linh

  • Poster: Tôn Thất Minh Thông

In addition, SCNC 2024 saw participation from many experts and other organizations in the conservation field, including the Center for Endangered Species Conservation (CBES), the National Parks and Protected Areas Association, Da Nang University, ENV Da Nang Club, FZS, WildAct Vietnam, GreenViet, Duy Tan University, and more