In an impactful gathering, the Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) network brought together its regional board members for a strategic workshop in Vientiane, Laos, from November 6 to 11, 2023. It was aimed at enhancing knowledge management, improving communication strategies, and planning for the Regional General Assembly in March 2024.
The workshop was attended by 18 participants, 7 women, including board members from Vietnam (CARES, PHANO, CISDOMA), Laos (SAEDA, CLICK, RDA, NUoL), Cambodia (DPA, DCA, Ecoland, CFAP), and GRET.
The workshop had several objectives, including:
- Work on knowledge management and production, including case study templates and programs in each country;
- Conduct communication training on Facebook management and website article writing;
- Prepare the regional general assembly to be held in March 2024;
- Organize a working session by CDE, on the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub progress, perspectives, and ownership;
During the workshop, participants discussed the ALiSEA Network identity by brainstorming on what best represents the network, the values ALiSEA carries as a network, and its missions. These ideas will be used to revise the ALiSEA re-branding effort as part of the improvement of the communication strategy and tools.
“Eight years have provided us with valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of promoting agroecology in Southeast Asia. We must now use these insights to strengthen our network, refine our strategies, and accelerate the adoption of agroecological practices across the region” Lucie Reynaud – ALiSEA Regional Coordinator, GRET.
In addition, participants worked on developing key messages for external audiences by discussing the factors contributing to agroecology fostering and, on the contrary, the limitations hindering the adoption of agroecology.
“Knowledge sharing and the dissemination of key messages are essential tools for promoting the adoption of agroecological practices. By providing farmers with access to information about the benefits of agroecology, we can help them make informed decisions about their farming practices. Additionally, by developing and sharing clear and concise key messages, we can make it easier for farmers to understand and adopt agroecological principles.” Thuy Thu Doan – Knowledge management coordinator, ALiSEA Board of members in Vietnam.
Each of the ALiSEA Knowledge Management Officers shared their priority topics identified for the case studies such as the transition of organic farming in mountainous areas in Vietnam, quality vegetable seed production in Laos, and the reduction of chemical pesticide utilization in Cambodia.
ALiSEA also intends to adopt case study templates to harmonize the documentation of the agroecology field initiatives between all countries, and to reference them on the online map on the Knowledge Hub. To reach this, working sessions were exercised to develop case study templates and programs. Mr. Phoutthasinh Phimmachanh – CLICK, was invited to share the methodology and template developed as part of a Small Grant Facilitation project awarded to CLICK in 2022 to document 14 agroecological initiatives in Lao PDR.
Taking the gathering opportunity, the national secretariats also presented the achievements of each country in 2023 and the main activities to come in 2024. You can review the achievements in this presentation file.
The workshop ended with an observatory visit to Thongmung Organic Vegetable Cooperative, where a solar dome will be built by the Community Development and Environment Association (CDEA), through the support of 2023’s ALiSEA Small Grant Facilitation.
The workshop was a valuable opportunity for ALiSEA board members to come together and work on important issues related to the network. The workshop outcomes will help to advance ALiSEA’s mission to enable local and regional agroecology stakeholders to leverage one another’s expertise to produce evidence-based studies and share them broadly to support agroecology transitions in Southeast Asia.
About ALiSEA
Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) is a regional network of organizations working to promote agroecology in Southeast Asia. The network was established in 2015 and currently has over 160 members from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
ALiSEA’s mission is to enable local and regional agroecology stakeholders to leverage one another’s expertise to produce evidence-based studies and share them broadly to support agroecology transition in Southeast Asia.
About the workshop
This ALiSEA Regional Board Members Workshop was funded through the ASSET Project by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM).