The forum attracted 40 outstanding young people selected from 400 profiles nationwide, who shared actions pertaining to the environment and community.

Themed “Be Active Citizens”, it focuses discussions on climate change and natural disasters, energy, green economy, bio-diversification, the poor and those who are vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change.

Young citizens will realise challenges facing Vietnam to build initiatives towards a sustainable future. At the opening ceremony, Director of the British Council in Vietnam Chris Brown said that Vietnam is entering a “golden population structure” period with nearly 50% belonging to age groups from 0-14 and over 65. As a result, the forum has a direct impact on participants who will be ambassadors on environment and sustainable development with specific actions.
 

The Vietnam Youth and Sustainable Development Summit (VYS) 2014 - a follow-up activity in the program “Be Active Citizens” launched by the British Council in 2009 which has carried out successfully in 38 countries with the participation of more than 530,000 young people, positively impacting 15 million people.

The Center of Environmental Training and Communications (CETAC) Director Tran Phong under the Environment Department said sustainable development is highlighted in the country’s socio-economic development plans and strategies. The event will provide a good chance for youth to meet and propose initiatives and solutions for environmental protection, ecology, energy saving and sustainable development.

The forum running until July 2 was held by Live& Learn, the British Council, the European Commission - Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection (ECHO), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Vietnam and the CETAC.