New IPAM research on indicator framework for sustainable communities towards socio-ecological transformation

The seminar was co-organized by IPAM and Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Southeast Asia - Representative Office in Hanoi (RLS SEA), attracting the participation of scientists and experts from universities and research institutes such as the University of Economics, VNU; University of Natural Sciences, VNU; Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, VNU; Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED), VNU-HCM; international experts from the European Sustainability Research Institute (SERI), representatives of Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Southeast Asia, Representative Office in Hanoi. The seminar attracted scientists from faculties/institutes of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.
Through the exchange and sharing of research results, scientists discussed issues of ecological and social transformation associated with community development in Vietnam. These are also suggestions for future cooperation activities between IPAM and RLS SEA.

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Thanh Truong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, said that the negative impacts of economic growth and development not associated with the protection of the ecological and social environment have created consequences that seriously affect the future development of the community. The harmony between economic growth and environmental protection or environmental protection for sustainable economic development is the first basis to ensure sustainable development in general and economic development in particular. And when the harmony in the development of environmental and social factors goes hand in hand with the development orientations of economy and growth, people are not only beneficiaries but also the subjects adjusting the balance of all the above factors. The cooperation of each member of society and the change in awareness of each individual towards the community are the most important factors for sustainable development goals to come into life.
Over the years, Vietnam has made remarkable efforts in implementing sustainable development goals. Most recently, at the COP26 Climate Summit held in Glasgow (Scotland), Vietnam, along with many countries around the world, committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Along with that are practical actions such as the issuance of the Circular Economy Development Project, the National Strategy and Action Plan on Green Growth, the National Strategy on Climate Change until 2050, and related policies to continue implementing Green Growth goals and Sustainable Development goals.
In that context, socio-ecological transformation is not a new issue, but it has emerged as an urgent issue in the process of assessing practical growth and development goals. Has it met the expectations and Green social constructions that have been and are being set today? Accordingly, has the issue of sustainable community development been ensured when Vietnam is still considered one of the countries heavily affected by climate change, the situation of natural resources being exhausted, biodiversity being reduced, environmental pollution still exists and has serious impacts.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Thanh Truong, understanding the necessity of this issue, from 2018 to present, IPAM and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Southeast Asia, Representative Office in Hanoi have implemented a series of projects in the socio-ecological transformation component, including activities such as organizing international conferences, publishing books, research documents and organizing SETY science summer camps for young students passionate about environmental science and sustainable development. In the period of 2022-2025, IPAM will continue to promote the results of existing projects and continue to implement applied research in community development activities and policy making at the local level.
Within the framework of the 2023 cooperation project, the study on Indicator Framework for Sustainable Communities towards Socio-Ecological Transition: Case Study in Vietnam was conducted.
The seminar is a forum to publish and evaluate this research document, helping to enhance academic exchange between domestic and foreign scientists and experts in implementing the SET indicator set in the community.  

Presenting the research results, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen An Thinh - member of the project, Head of the Department of Development Economics, University of Economics, VNU, shared the contents that the research team has implemented on the indicator framework for sustainable communities towards socio-ecological transformation with typical studies in Vietnam.
With analytical indicators in different aspects (social, economic, environmental), this index framework is evaluated by scientists participating in the discussion as a comprehensive set of indicators at different levels, effective in both micro and macro economics.
At the seminar, scientists had a lively discussion on building a framework for sustainable communities towards socio-ecological transformation in Vietnam based on combining aspects of sustainable resilient communities (SRC) with the level of concern of SET.
International experts also commented on the need for the study to use the Expert Delphi technique to determine the set of indicators integrated into the indicator framework. In the next phase, the study needs to conduct case studies, combined with other expert methods, organize scientific seminars, etc. to calibrate and determine the appropriate distribution of indicators in the indicator framework.
Highly appreciating the critical opinions of domestic and international experts and scientists, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Thanh Truong emphasized the urgency of developing new research directions for the topic. With the contributions of scientists at the seminar, the research direction on sustainable development towards socio-ecological transformation of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU will achieve good results in the coming time.

The Institute of Policy and Management (IPAM) was established under Decision 876 QD/XHNV-TC issued on April 16, 2013 by the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). The Institute was upgraded based on the development achievements of the Center for Policy Research and Analysis (CEPSTA) - one of the centers ranked in the group of research and training support centers operating effectively with a long history of policy research and training in Vietnam since 1991. The mission of the Institute is to train, develop and provide human resources for management and experts in policy research and analysis, and management of the development of policy science and management. From 2018 to present, the Institute has been recognized as a Key Research Center at VNU level.
Website:http://ipam.edu.vn/
Phone: 04235587547
Email: ipam@ipam.edu.vn
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