On the morning of October 4th, 2024, HelpAge International in Vietnam (HAI) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a discussion on the topic ‘Promoting Intergenerational approach in adaptation to climate change and rapid population ageing in Vietnam.
The event featured participation from experts, researchers, representatives from various institutions, organizations, social groups, and the community to discuss and share experiences and solutions for climate change adaptation in the context of rapid ageing in Vietnam
Vietnam faces two ‘hottest’ global challenges
Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change, frequently facing numerous risks from natural disasters with increasing frequency and intensity due to climate change. Without appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures, it is estimated that climate change will cost Vietnam about 12% to 14.5% of GDP annually by 2050 and could push 1 million people into extreme poverty by 2030.[1]World Bank Group. 2022. Vietnam Country Climate and Development Report Climate change has been and will continue to be a serious threat to human safety, having significant, multi-dimensional impacts on the country’s socioeconomic life, environment, security, defense, and sustainable development.
Vietnam is also one of the fastest ageing countries in the world. According to the General Statistics Office, the proportion of people aged 60 and older in the total population has significantly increased over the past decade, from 8.68% (7.45 million people) in 2009 to 12.8% (12.6 million people) in 2021, and is expected to reach nearly 17% (17.9 million people) by 2030. It is forecast that by 2036, Vietnam’s population structure will shift from an ‘ageing’ society to an ‘aged’ society, with older people accounting for 20% of the population (approximately 22.29 million people), meaning that one in five people will be older people.[2]General Statistics Office, Population and Housing Census in 2009, 2019, and Vietnam’s Population Projection for 2019-2069 According to national population data, in 2023, the number of older people in Vietnam was already 16.1 million, accounting for more than 16% of the total population. This means that Vietnam might reach an aged population structure earlier than forecasted.
According to Ms Tran Bich Thuy, Country Director of HelpAge International, the above reality poses two issues for climate change response: enhancing the role and contributions of older people, while still needing to ensure their specific needs are met, reducing risk factors or vulnerabilities related to health, disability status, income security, living arrangements…
In his speech, Mr Matthew Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, emphasized that we all have a role in building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable society. Collaborative efforts to integrate resilience, reproductive and sexual health into climate action can ensure a future where all citizens, young and old, can live with dignity, happiness, and peace.
Results from the intergenerational survey in Ninh Binh province
“In July, HAI conducted a survey through a series of exchanges with older people, youth, and intergenerational discussions in Ninh Binh Province on the topic of climate change impacts and the ability to contribute of different age groups. Dr Nguyen Sy Linh, Head of Climate Change and Global Issues Department – Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, presented the survey findings and concluded that there is no generational conflict or disagreement in addressing local climate change issues, only differences in priority and implementation methods. While older people exhibit clear awareness of climate change due to from their lived experiences, the younger generation has the advantage in the ability to accessing and updating new information and applying science and technology. The adaptation solutions proposed by the youth tend to focus more on infrastructure, production, and transportation issues, whereas older people’s suggestions are often involved in advocacy, support, and issues related to health, safety, and property protection.
Additionally, Mr Linh suggested that it is important to develop communication programs linked to the actual impacts of climate change at the local level, and they should be integrated into the activities of youth and community organizations as well as related programs and projects. Leveraging each generation’s strengths is necessary, and climate change adaptation solutions should be tailored to specific age groups, taking into account their interests and priorities to actively and effectively mobilize their participation, especially in adapting to issues like heavy rain and flooding. On the other hand, climate change policies also need to be more inclusive, involving various stakeholders, especially vulnerable groups such as older people and children.
Intergenerational approach in adaptation to climate change
An intergenerational approach encourages two or more generations to work together for their mutual benefit and to promote greater communication, understanding and respect. Intergenerational contact interventions typically bring together older and younger people to work on activities or tasks that encourage cross-generational bonding and address issues affecting one or both age groups and their wider community.
“In the second part of the event, the organizers invited several delegates to join the roundtable discussion on promoting intergenerational approaches to climate change adaptation and rapid population aging in Vietnam. Representing the Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE) was Mr Phan Van Hung, Vice Chairman of the VAE. Ms Do Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Director of the Youth Research Institute, Youth Union, represented the youth perspective. Representatives of state agencies active in the field of climate change and disaster prevention included Mr Nguyen Hung Minh, Director of the Center for Climate Change Response, Climate Change Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Mr Bui Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Policy and Technology Center, Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. From the international organizations, Mr Doan Huu Minh, representative of UNFPA, and Ms Tran Bich Thuy, Country Director of HelpAge International joined the discussion. The delegates actively contributed ideas and engaged in a lively discussion on the given topic.
Mr Phan Van Hung highlighted the vulnerabilities and special needs of older people in the face of climate change, particularly when confronting extreme weather phenomena like prolonged heatwaves and storms… He also emphasized that older people are not only vulnerable but also a significant resource with an important role and influence in society, capable of contributing to climate change response and adaptation. When asked about promoting intergenerational activities, Mr Hung expressed his hope for specific action programs to be signed between the VAE and the Youth Union in the future to promote joint activities between generations, not only in the field of climate change but also in other meaningful social development activities.
For her part, Ms Do Thu Hang stated that young people have the ability to quickly access information, are passionate, enthusiastic, and always ready to contribute to social work with a high sense of responsibility. The Youth Union has also undertaken many practical activities in environmental protection and climate change adaptation, such as launching the Green Sunday campaign, or initiatives like Exchange Trash for Gifts, Trash-Free Village, and the Live Green for the Community Club…
When asked about the experience of incorporating older people into community-based disaster risk management, Mr Bui Quang Huy candidly shared that attitudes and mindsets are the biggest barriers, and only when this is thoroughly changed can there be effective intergenerational cooperation. Mr. Huy also pointed out that whenever disasters occur, the media mostly features images of the rescue forces, whereas older people, who often quietly participate in local disaster prevention and response efforts, are rarely mentioned. Therefore, Mr Huy suggested that the VAE and relevant functional authorities should come up with solutions to elevate the image and roles of older people in disaster prevention and climate change adaptation.
“It’s not necessary to provide relief to be called humanitarian. What’s important is to create conditions so that all groups can benefit; to me, that’s humanitarianism, and it means leaving no one behind.”
Mr Bui Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Policy and Technology Center
Regarding legal and policy issues, Mr Nguyen Hung Minh stated that climate change response policies have mentioned vulnerable groups, but they remain generalized and not specifically separated by each group’s needs and abilities to contribute. He also pointed out that the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2025, has emphasized relying on community-based solutions, indigenous knowledge, and experiences. This is an opportunity to introduce specific programs to enhance the role of older people and promote intergenerational activities in addressing the climate crisis.
When asked about international experiences in building social security policies, Mr Doan Huu Minh, representative of UNFPA, provided a new perspective on an ageing society: we often view ageing as a burden on society, but in reality, it is an achievement and an advantage to open up new opportunities. Mr Minh also shared that the current global trend is to build inclusive and comprehensive laws and policies based on a life-cycle approach to adapt to ageing and provide a solid foundation for the future.
For her part, Ms Tran Bich Thuy shared some experiences in applying intergenerational approaches in community activities, exemplified by the Intergenerational Self-Help Club model. She also mentioned age discrimination as a problem in the ageing process, affecting both older and younger people, and being a major barrier to intergenerational activities. Ms. Thuy emphasized the role of media in raising social awareness so that everyone understands their own and others’ strengths and limitations, thereby enabling mutual understanding and support.
Looking forward
In the context of climate change and population ageing becoming pressing global issues, comprehensive and sustainable solutions can only be achieved if we implement simultaneous measures. Facing climate change and population ageing, we need to join hands and mobilize community strength to build a better future. The discussion ‘Promoting Intergenerational approach in adaptation to climate change and rapid population ageing in Vietnam’ is the first event on this topic organized in Vietnam, marking an important milestone to open up future cooperation opportunities among stakeholders in the fields of ageing, youth, and climate change response. The lessons learned and insights shared from this event will be compiled by HAI into a policy brief to be sent to management agencies and policymakers, contributing to building a society for all ages that effectively adapts to population aging and climate change.
