SL/CEL Event

The Young Parliament Simulation Forum Has Produced Many Valuable New Initiatives

08/01/2024

After more than four months of operation, the Young Parliament Simulation Forum - Mekong Program (VNYP-Mekong) has reached the final stage of its journey. On January 7, the Forum and the UEF Center of Service-Learning (CSL) successfully hosted the Initiative Festival and 2023 Program Summary for the Young Parliament Simulation Forum. The event introduced numerous new projects, contributing to raising awareness and spreading environmental protection values among the younger generation.

A Successful Four-Month Journey Concludes

Attending the Initiative Festival and VNYP-Mekong Program Summary were Mr. Nguyễn Sơn Trà, Head of the VNYP-Mekong Executive Committee; Ms. Nguyễn Hải Linh, National VNYP Program Manager; and Ms. Du Hoàng Anh, Vice Head of Innovation, Program Development, and Projects Committee for VNYP-Mekong 2023. Guest representatives and sponsors included Mr. Tony Jones, Public Affairs Officer from the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Trần Đăng Trung, Director of the Center for Capacity Building in Adaptation (CAB); and Ms. Lâm Thị Hoàng Oanh, Officer at Dragon-Mekong Institute, Can Tho University. From UEF, attendees included Mr. Bùi Quang Đông, Head of Student Affairs; Ms. Trần Thị Mỹ Phượng, Director of UEF Center of Service-Learning, and over 80 young representatives from universities and colleges.

Nine Initiatives from Forum Subcommittees

VNYP-Mekong 2023 focused on addressing three main issues: Equitable Energy Transition; Water Resource Management and Protection; and Climate-Adaptive Agriculture. Nine subcommittees were formed from more than 80 young representatives, each corresponding to one project presented at the Initiative Festival. Projects demonstrating feasibility and creativity will receive investment from the Organizing Committee to bring their ideas to life, generating practical value for society.

Ms. Du Hoàng Anh Announces the Criteria and Selection Process for Final Awards

The initiatives showcased at the festival included: Mekong Youth Adapt - MYA, from the Lower Mekong Delta Subcommittee - Water; Climate-Adaptive Technology Solutions from the Upper Mekong Delta Subcommittee - Water; the Mini-Studio Model by the Southeastern Region Subcommittee - Water; Daily Energy by the Lower Mekong Delta Subcommittee - Energy; the Energy Education Summer Camp by the Upper Mekong Delta Subcommittee - Energy; Power Talk Podcast by the Southeastern Region Subcommittee - Energy; Green Pioneer Youth Summer Camp - Energy Transition by the Non-specialized Subcommittee - Energy; SAY Project - Start Agriculture by Youth from the Upper and Lower Mekong Delta Subcommittees - Agriculture; and Gen Z for a Green Life, promoting organic materials usage by the Southeastern Region Subcommittee - Agriculture.

All young parliamentarians participating in the Initiative Festival were awarded certificates from the organizing committee.

The judges involved in reviewing, evaluating, and identifying the most practical initiatives included Ms. Nguyễn Hải Linh; ThS. Hà Lê Thu Hoài - Deputy Director of the UEF Project Design Training Center; Mr. Vũ Hải Trường - Environmental and Education Expert, Director of Admissions at Hong Kong University; and Ms. Huỳnh Ngọc Hạnh - Environmental and Climate Training Expert, Education Development Center (EDC).

The Organizing Committee Thanks Judges, Sponsors, and Guests

To deliver a complete "product" for presentation to the judges at the festival, young delegates worked continuously for four months, alongside their regular studies. They participated in training sessions, guided consistently by mentors throughout the project. Additionally, they went on field trips to survey the market and understand the root causes of current issues. From these experiences, they developed new initiatives aimed at addressing the program's three main challenges.

Initiative Posters Displayed and Voted on in the Lobby of the 15th Floor

The young delegates began their presentations. Each team had a total of 15 minutes to present their project and respond to questions from the expert judges. Projects from all nine teams highlighted the urgency of the issues they focused on, analyzing current conditions and proposing new solutions. The judges greatly appreciated the proactive spirit shown by the young delegates.

Young delegates from each team present their initiatives to the Judges

At the end of the presentations from all nine teams, the judges held a brief discussion to determine the most feasible projects. The award ceremony took place later that afternoon during the closing event of the 2023 Youth Parliament Simulation Forum.

The Judges provided candid feedback and developmental guidance for the Initiatives

Reflecting on a Rich Four-Month Journey
The closing ceremony began with a reflective look back over the past four months, capturing a blend of joy, pride, and poignant moments in a ten-minute video created by the organizers. These memories have become unforgettable highlights for each young representative present that day. Members from each subcommittee also recorded their personal reflections, which were compiled into a video and shown during the event. There were smiles, even tears of joy, as the journey came to an end.
Representatives from the organizing committee, supporting partners, guests, sponsors, and mentors also shared their thoughts and emotions, reflecting on the meaningful experiences of the past four months.

Mr. Nguyễn Sơn Trà delivers closing remarks for the program

Mr. Tony Jones expresses admiration for the Spirit and Innovation of Vietnam’s Young Generation

Mr. Trần Đăng Trung Praises the Initiatives of Over 80 Young Legislators

Mr. Bùi Quang Đông hopes this valuable program will continue to spread and develop.

Coaches recount their days working with the youth

At the closing ceremony, the ideas and projects from the Innovation Day were awarded. Among them, two projects received funding of 20 million VND from VNYP-Mekong for implementation. The final results are as follows:
Best Policy Proposal Award: Lower Mekong Subregion - Water Subcommittee
Most Popular Initiative Award: Southeast Region - Energy Subcommittee
Funded Initiative Award: Upper Mekong Subregion - Energy Subcommittee and Southeast Region - Energy Subcommittee

Outstanding initiatives have been identified

Valuable lessons learned
This journey has been long enough for the young parliamentarians to learn, grow, and produce useful initiatives that contribute to community development. What remains after this journey are memories, invaluable lessons, and the values they have, are, and will continue to contribute to the community.

Young parliamentarian Hà Thiên Bảo, a member of the Lower Mekong Subregion - Water Subcommittee, shared: “This is a very special program that has brought me many lessons and memories, quite different from the programs I’ve participated in before. Throughout this journey, I have learned many skills, such as teamwork, planning, and fundraising. Particularly in group working sessions with other young parliamentarians, the debates, disagreements, and discussions that went on late into the night are things I will never forget.”

Thien Bao expresses gratitude to the VNYP-Mekong 2023 program for creating opportunities for young people to participate and contribute their voices

Young parliamentarian Đào Khánh Ngọc, a member of the Lower Mekong Subregion - Agriculture Subcommittee, shared: “I have three keywords to summarize my journey in VNYP-Mekong 2023: ‘opportunity,’ ‘connection,’ and ‘spreading.’ To explain the term ‘opportunity,’ I resonate with two phrases from Indian meditation: ‘Whoever you meet is the person you need to meet. Whenever something happens, it is the right time.’ And among the choices of ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ everyone sitting here chose to participate and connect with the members of VNYP 2023.”

Khánh Ngọc continued: “This is an opportunity for young people from different fields and universities to meet and connect with each other. Moreover, I also connected with experienced mentors who have a vision in this field. It can be said that this is a form of spreading because VNYP plants seeds for young people. No matter where we go, the projects we bring will have value and spread a new perspective for future generations.”

Khánh Ngọc wholeheartedly learns and strives to execute projects with her teammates over the past four months to create lasting memories

Young parliamentarian Lữ Thanh Nên, a member of the Southeast Subregion Energy Subcommittee, shared: “I am very impressed by the young parliamentarians who have dedicated their time to carry out meaningful community projects like this. I understand that although we all have our own commitments, such as studying or working, everyone has made time to work together and build these initiatives.”

“Three things I learned while accompanying VNYP-Mekong 2023 are practicality, intellectual property rights, and the acceptance of imperfection,” Thanh Nên stated.

Thus, the 2023 Young Parliament Simulation Forum program has concluded successfully. The funded projects will move into the implementation phase. The remaining initiatives will receive feedback and evaluation from the expert judges, allowing them to refine and continue “competing” in other arenas. With a spirit of community service, I believe the young parliamentarians will strive to bring real value to society.

Tấn Phát
Photos: Minh Thiện
Translator: Hoàng Phúc