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Building Youth Leadership for a Cleaner, Greener Da Nang

Ced Article 2 1

On 23 November 2025, CED held a one-day training at the University of Economics in Da Nang for 30 Environmental Leaders from four universities. As part of the Environmental Pollution Programme in Viet Nam (EPP-VN), led by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and local partners, the workshop equipped students aged 18 to 25 with practical leadership, communication, and action planning skills to address plastic waste in their schools and communities.

Plastic waste is a growing concern in Da Nang, and young people are among the groups most affected by its impacts. They are also one of the most powerful drivers of change. When students are equipped with the right knowledge and leadership skills, they can influence habits at home, in schools, and across their communities. 

Key Activities

  • Built core leadership and soft skills such as teamwork, problem solving, communication, and public speaking.

  • Improved students’ understanding of plastic waste issues in Da Nang and used “Tree of Life” and “Problem Tree” exercises to help them identify personal strengths and prioritise environmental challenges.

  • Supported group planning to develop practical actions on reducing single-use plastics, improving sorting, preventing plastic leakage and promoting recycling.

A group of students from University of Danang presenting their poster “Tree of Life”, which was created during the youth leadership training session.
A group of students from University of Danang presenting their poster “Tree of Life”, which was created during the youth leadership training session.

What the Students Took Away

By the end of the training, students formed leadership groups, created initial action plans, and presented their strategies. Participants expressed greater confidence in their ability to lead initiatives and mobilise their peers.

“Using the ‘Tree of Life’ exercise helped me identify my strengths and challenges. To be a true leader, I need to build my own capacity before guiding others to take action on Da Nang’s plastic waste issue.”
– Ngô Thị Khánh Ngọc, University of Economics – The University of Danang

Ngo Thi Khanh Ngoc, Student, University of Economics - University of Danang
Ngo Thi Khanh Ngoc, Student, University of Economics - University of Danang

What Comes Next for These Leaders


From December 2025 to March 2026, CED will continue supporting these Environmental Leaders as they implement their ideas. Planned activities include weekly plastic waste collection at five partner schools, coaching sessions to refine student action plans, university-based awareness campaigns, and ongoing documentation of student-led initiatives through CED’s “Lãnh đạo trẻ” (Youth Leader Training) communication channels. These efforts contribute to the programme’s goal of increasing awareness and encouraging sustainable behaviour among students, communities, and local institutions.

CED team and participating students gathered for a group photo at the youth leadership training in Da Nang.
CED team and participating students gathered for a group photo at the youth leadership training in Da Nang.

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The design and implementation of this project have been accomplished through a collaborative effort with the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and funded by UK International Development from the UK government through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).