Field Building Leadership Initiative:
Advancing Ecohealth in Southeast Asia
Hung Nguyen-Viet, Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research (CENPHER), Hanoi School of Public Coordinating Unit
CENPHER - Hanoi School of Public Health
health, Hanoi, Vietnam & 138 Giang Vo, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
T: (+84) 4.62733162, F: (+84) 4.62733172
Regional Core Group Members of FBLI: Pornpit Silkavute, Dinh Xuan Tung, Pattamaporn Kittayapong, Fang E: fbli@hsph.edu.vn
Jing, Xu Jianchu, Wiku Adisasmito, Sonia Fèvre, Hein Mallee W: http://cenpher.hsph.edu.vn/FBLI http://ecohealthnetwork.org
Introduction FBLI vision
Ecohealth is useful for addressing health and environmental issues in developing A well-established field of ecohealth that is:
countries, in particular in South East Asia (SEA) where agricultural intensification  Sustainable (networking, diversified funding)
processes have profound implications for ecosystems and health. However, using  Institutionalized (joint MoUs, adopted curricula)
the ecohealth approach to comprehensively tackle complex issues requires
 Influential in global processes that drive environmental and health policy and
individual, institutional and country capacity in understanding and applying this practice
approach within the context of the region. The newly developed program Field
 Supported by a strong community of practice that includes key researchers and
Building Leadership Initiative: advancing ecohealth in SEA (FBLI) aims at building policy makers.
the field of ecohealth by integrating research, training, policy and networking to focus
The ultimate impact is seen in more sustainable agricultural practices and livelihoods,
on solving human health problems associated with agricultural intensification in SEA
and in healthier people and environments.
countries.
Objectives
1. Conduct ecohealth research to address human health problems related to
agricultural intensification.
2. Strengthen the capacity within SEA for ecohealth research and practice by ecohealth
training to build leadership and expertise in the ecohealth field.
3. Engage key policy makers – at local and national levels – to interact with the
ecohealth research teams, sites and communities
4. Facilitate networking-of-networks and knowledge sharing to mainstream ecohealth
approaches and foster the development of the ecohealth field in the region
Components
Research
Research
Capacity Knowledge
Building translation
 Using ecohealth approaches to manage ecosystems and health in the context of agricultural
intensification
Capacity building  Generate knowledge: links and interactions among agricultural practices, ecosystems, and health.
 Develop practical and innovative solutions to address health and environment problems identified.
DEGREE
EDUCATION  Engage with local policy makers during the early stage of the research process, and to inform them about
research findings.
 Multi-institutional, inter-disciplinary team
Degree Programmes
In Ecohealth
(long-term training of field builders)
Knowledge translation
Promote linkages between the research and
policy communities by establishing and
New Generation cultivating relationships, especially among
of Ecohealth senior researchers and middle-level policy
Future Leaders Field Builders Policy alliance groups are core vehicle
Training of the Trainers makers
Training in Ecohealth (short-term training of Build their capacity to translate research
(short-term training of lecturers/advisors)
potential leaders) evidence to inform and influence policy
decisions
Planning and Outcomes
 5 years: 2012-2017 Partners
 Ecohealth is well-positioned to become a sustainable dynamic field in Southeast Asia.
 Path-breaking research findings and practical solutions
 A robust and critical mass of training materials and pedagogy, regional cases, best
practices, and regional short courses and degree programs.
 Strong and enduring linkages among policy makers and researchers.
Field Building Leadership Initiative:
Advancing Ecohealth in South East Asia