From the 14th to the 18th of September 2015, in Hoa Binh, the Vietnamese non-governmental Organization Network on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VNGO-FLEGT) organized the "Exploring the Potential of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Independent Monitoring" training workshop for network members.
This training workshop helped participants understand the value that satellite images and digital maps add to the forestry advocacy toolbox in Vietnam. With the application of GIS technology, civil society organizations are able to identify, analyze and use spatial data for advocacy purposes to support vulnerable forest communities.
The participants of the training workshop
The training had two international trainers, Griffiths Geoffrey Hugh and Young David William from the University of Reading. The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD), as the Chair of the Steering Committee of the VNGO-FLEGT network, coordinated the training workshop. In the opening stage of the workshop, Ms. Perrine Fournier, a representative from FERN, spoke on the importance of independent forest monitoring in VPA negotiations and the cooperation between FERN and the VNGO-FLEGT network. Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hop, Chair of the VNGO-FLEGT network's Steering Committee and Executive Director of SRD, summarized the relevant activities in advocacy regarding the VPA agreement being conducted in Vietnam. She remarked on the importance of GIS software in independent forest monitoring as well as the role of VNGO-FLEGT in the VPA negotiation process between Vietnam and the EU.
During the talk with the trainers from the University of Reading and representatives from FERN, Mrs. Hop shared the achievements and challenges specific to independent forest monitoring in Vietnam compared with other countries negotiating the VPA. The experts supported the recommendations made by Mrs. Hop for the upcoming year, especially in independent forest monitoring and expanding the QGIS application in land use information management and forest type by stakeholders in the timber supply chain.
Dr. Young shared his own experiences
Dr. Griffiths helped trainees understand generally the Geographical Information System (QGIS) software in independent forest monitoring-- QGIS 2.10. Dr. Young provided analysis on the function of QGIS in independent forest monitoring through a 7-step model based on reality. The model includes answering: What is the desired reaction?; How do you reach those who can act?; What products will interest them?; How do we create these products?; What data do we need in the products?; How do we collect it?; What data might exist?
The trainers guided the trainees how to use QGIS software
Dr. Young shared his experience in the application of QGIS in independent forest monitoring in West and South Africa (particularly in Cameroon) and in Indonesia during the VPA process.
Based on the baseline research in communes in the Binh Dinh, Kon Tum, Hoa Binh and Nghe An provinces, the trainees were divided into four groups to practice the application of QGIS 2.10 in composing maps combining GPS waypoints and SPOT 6 satellite images. The trainees and facilitators discussed the challenges they have faced during the scoping studies. They also explored issues that can be solved by QGIS in order to strengthen the effectiveness of independent forest monitoring by VNGOs in Vietnam and to produce accurate, practical reports to contribute to the VPA process.
On the third day of workshop, the facilitators and trainees headed to the field in the Dan Ha and Dan Hoa communes in the Hoa Binh province to collect map databases with GPS waypoints and to conduct stakeholder surveys. In the following days, the trainees practiced using QGIS software to compose maps. To close the workshop, the groups presented their results and discussed the guidelines for using the GIS technology within the network in the future.
More photos from the training:
-SRD-
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
