BinhDinh (VNS/VNA) - Leaders from 25 business associations in centralprovinces have pledged to combat illegal wildlife consumption by adopting newprogrammes to shed light on wildlife crime and the myths about consumption thatare driving the trade in Vietnam.
The leaders were attending a workshop in Quy Nhoncity, central Binh Dinh province, over the weekend held by the United StatesAgency for International Development (USAID) and the Vietnam Chamber ofCommerce and Industry (VCCI).
At the workshop, the business associationsdeveloped a plan to integrate wildlife protection into their corporate socialresponsibility (CSR) activities.
They also pledged in writing to use theirinfluence to inspire others and step up as champions to protect endangeredwildlife species.
“By pledging to be agents of change, theseleaders can affect policy decisions in their organisations and disseminate keymessages through their networks -- all of which help drive Vietnam towards acomplete cessation in illegal wildlife trade and consumption,” said Michael Greene,USAID/Vietnam Mission Director.
[Humans push wildlife populations to the brink]
The workshop was held as part of USAID WildlifeAsia’s Chi Phase III Initiative, a social marketing initiative geared towardsreducing demand for rhino horn and other illegal wildlife products. Theprevious two phases of this Initiative, led by wildlife trade monitoringnetwork TRAFFIC, have overseen the training of more than 20,000 businesspeopleon incorporating wildlife-protection into their CSR activities. Businesspeopleare a specific target audience of the Chi Initiative as they have beenidentified as a key rhino horn user group in past TRAFFIC research.
High-profile companies that have joined theinitiative include the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group, Sun Group,Quang Vinh Ceramic Company and the Body Shop.-VNS/VNA
VNA