The training course attracted 48 participants from State management agencies responsible for shrimp farming in provinces, districts and communes, Ca Mau and Soc Trang provinces; shrimp cooperatives and fishery associations also participated. The Center for Community Development and Social Work (CODES) also participated in the training course.

 

 

                        

 

In the training course RECERD presented the following materials: Introduction to a number of issues related to the concept of participatory dialogue, civil society in Vietnam, ordinances on grassroots democracy, the roles of  state management (planning, policy, law, advocacy/education, etc.), the role of non-state organizations (Fisheries Society, WWF, businesses, fishermen grassroots organizations, etc.) for supporting the local development of shrimp farming, and the skills of dialogue and advocacy. RECERD also organized activities for students to practice what they had learned through games and practical experience - "real dialogue between the state and people" as related to the sustainable development of shrimp farming and the implementation of sustainable shrimp certification ASC in Ca Mau and Soc Trang. The seminar provided an opportunity for people and government officials to interact and reaching understanding, such that many solutions were proposed for implementing certification for sustainable shrimp aquaculture in Ca Mau and Soc Trang provinces.