Behavior change event for buddhists and non-buddhists at Bo De pagoda to reduce demand of wildlife products
USAID Wildlife Asia’s strategy to engage Buddhist followers in Vietnam to support counter wildlife trafficking (CWT) and the Chi initiative is to disseminate zero-tolerance messaging against the consumption of illegal wildlife products amongst both Buddhists and non-Buddhists, including government officials and businessmen, and inspire them to take action to conserve wildlife species and to discourage others from consuming illegal wildlife products.
USAID Wildlife Asia has collaborated with the Vietnam Central Buddhist Association (VCBA) to integrate CWT into lectures delivered by respected pagoda abbots during special worshipping occasions. This is one of the activities of Chi Initiative phase III implemented by TRAFFIC and Intelligentmedia.
Following this strategy, on July 14, 2019, the first behavior change and CWT one-day event took place at Phap Van Pagoda (a member of VCBA) sucessfully. The progressive signal of behavior change has encouraged USAID Wildlife Asia to continue holding a one-day behavior change event in Bo De Pagoda. The second interactive event took place at Bo De Pagoda on September 29, 2019 in Hanoi trying to achieve similar reach as the first one at Phap Van Pagoda. Bo De Pagoda, built in 1427, is one of the most ancient worshipping places in the Northern area of Vietnam. The event took place in the beginning of the lunar month, when thousands of Vietnamese citizens go to the pagoda to hear lectures on life and ethics, and pray for health, luck, and happiness. The Activity integrated SBCC messaging into this event through Chi Champions, the Venerable Thich Thanh Huan, Phap Van pagoda abbot, and the Venerable Dam Thich Lan, Bo De pagoda abbot, who highlighted the importance of rejecting illegal wildlife products on personal morality.
The event welcomed 196 participants including key target audiences. At the event, USAID Wildlife Asia disseminated SBCC messaging via a series of interactive activities. SBCC standees were displayed in the pagoda’s premise. Venerable Thich Dam Lan, Abbot of Bo De Pagoda and Venerable Thich Thanh Huan, Abbot of Phap Van Pagoda highlighted the importance of rejecting illegal wildlife products to maintain personal morality and good destiny. The event was enriched by a Q&A on wildlife protection and a pledging session. “Environment and nature are very important for a healthy and comfortable life. Those who don’t know how to be indebted to the benefits that nature brings to human might suffer from negative consequences. Buddhism perception respects the survival of all sentient beings including animals and plants and prevents the killing of those alive creatures”, said Venerable Thich Dam Lan, Abbot of Bo De Pagoda.
Doctor Nguyen Manh Thang
Another remarkable activity was the presentation of Doctor Nguyen Manh Thang. He coached on nutritious and healthy vegetarian meals at this event. He affirmed the great benefits of being diet to a person’s health. “Overexploitation of animals violates the nature balance. It is proved that when animals are in anger, their meat contains the highest level of poisons. Eating meat and protected wildlife products has never been scientifically considered healthy.
Plants provide a great number of good vitamins and proteins to body even than meat. Eating right plants and veggies help keep fit and stay healthy”, said Doctor Nguyen Manh Thang.
Pledge signing not to use illegal wildlife products
Throughout the event, participants joined in the rapid pre-and post-event surveys and in-depth interviews, aiming to explore respondents’ insights on wildlife issues, as well as to measure changes in their attitudes, beliefs, and intentions to purchase, consume and/or gift illegal wildlife products. The event culminated in strong commitments from Bo De Pagoda to continue disseminating SBCC messages and conduct other interactive activities on their own.
Collective action is vital, which is why USAID Wildlife Asia is engaging religious leaders, Buddhists and non-Buddhists to play their part. Changing the belief of users by religious power continues proving effective. After the event, participants have learnt how to adopt wildlife protection activities and more importantly why they should do this and showed their commitment. The desired behavior associates to the luckier, healthier and more fortune destiny which is everyone’s ultimate desire of life. It, therefore, helps sustain change of behavior.