On January 28th, the Center for Rural Development in Central Vietnam (CRD), University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University welcomed and worked with H.E Ms. Deborah Paul, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Vietnam.
There were Dr. Trương Quang Hoàng, CRD Director along with CRD staff, teachers from Hai Bà Trưng upper secondary school and representatives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Huế city participated in the meeting.
At the meeting, CRD shared the outcomes of the project “Promoting non-discrimination and inclusion of LGBT children and youths in Central Region of Vietnam” implemented by CRD in 2018 over 5 provinces of Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên Huế, Đà Nẵng and Quảng Nam under the financial support of Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.
Teachers from Hai Bà Trưng upper secondary school and representatives of the LGBT community in Huế city had the chance to express their thanks to CFLI and presented positive changes in awareness and attitude of students, teachers at school and people in society toward the LGBT community.
The Ambassador was delighted to hear about these changes when the project finished two years ago. The Ambassador also shared about activities to promote LGBT people’ rights in Hanoi Pride Week 2020.
In addition, CRD gave a brief presentation and progress of the project “Relief Support for flood affected communities in Quang Tri Province” funded by CFLI. The relief activities within the project are expected to be implemented in February 2021. The Ambassador would like to hear about the current situation of affected communities and expressed her thanks for CRD’s effort to get project approval. She confirmed to give full support in any process in order to deliver relief items to beneficiaries before Lunar New Year.
CRD Director showed his happiness when it is the third time the delegation of the Canada’s Embassy to Vietnam visited CRD. At the end of the meeting, the two sides express their desire to have more opportunities for further cooperation to support the LGBT community as the project in 2018.
