Sharing positive experiences in making changes in work and life in a local district in Vietnam

A series of research and training programmes were undertaken in a rural district in the Mekong Delta area in Vietnam so as to facilitate positive changes in the work and life under the initiatives of the local people. As in other parts of the area, it was amid rapid changes in life-style under the shift toward a market economy. Field research relying on direct observation methods were carried out in various rice field jobs and local small enterprises for understanding the improvement potentials in the work and lives of the local people. To strengthen the local improvement initiatives, participatory training programmes were developed and practiced. In the training programmes, joint walk-through observations using an action checklist were stressed. The results were discussed in small groups and meetings. Interactive communications between the local people, while visiting their own houses and workplaces, took place. Based on these field research results, various positive changes were successfully implemented. They included a wide range of improvements such as more efficient work methods, safer use of technologies, hygienic housing conditions, and improved household plans. Our experiences demonstrated that practical approaches relying on local initiatives could facilitate the implementation of positive changes in the local socio-cultural settings.