THAI NGUYEN CITY, Vietnam - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) recently hosted the international conference on Livelihood Development and Sustainable Environmental Management (LDEM) with an agenda pegged on climate change.
The conference, organized by the Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF), was held from November 13 to 15.
Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., Director of Searca, led discussions on developing jobs that support a sustainable environment.
LDEM was an event sponsored by Searca, a treaty organization based in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines that addresses the rural and agricultural needs of the 11 members of the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean).
The conference sought to explore the knowledge, systems, and practices related to livelihood development and environmental management strategies under extreme weather conditions.
The participants also tackled issue on how the development approach in the Asian region could be enhanced in the context of challenges posed by climate change.
Saguiguit reported that the participants exchanged ideas on international and local experiences as well as their engagement with policymakers.
"Our center is a close ally of Thai Nguyen University. And rightfully so, because this university focuses on agriculture and forestry, and is a leading academic institution in Vietnam, a priority country of our organization," Saguiguit explained.
He noted that "over the last four and a half decades, we have seen and felt the effects of climate change on agriculture and forestry, upon which the majority of our region's population depend for food and livelihood.
"The challenge, therefore, is to push for climate change adaptation strategies and to build these sectors' resiliency to this natural phenomenon. The goal is to ensure that the livelihood needs of the growing population in the uplands are met in the midst of pervasive poverty and worsening climatic conditions. Added to this, is the imperative task of safeguarding our natural resource base."
Participants of the conference included academics, researchers, development practitioners, and representatives of national and local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders from countries in Asia and outside the region.