EM-THRIVE Project Launch Workshop “From Research to Policy and Evidence-Based Practice: Strengthening Vietnam’s Health Systems for Early Childhood Development”

On the morning of June 24, 2025, at the Central Guest House – 8 Chu Van An, Hanoi, the Research and Training Center for Community Development (RTCCD), together with Ministry of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Department, and Monash University, Australia, organized the EM-THRIVE project launch workshop, titled “From Research to Policy and Evidence-Based Practice: Strengthening Vietnam’s Health Systems for Early Childhood Development”

The workshop was attended by:

1. Dr. MD. Tran Dang Khoa – Deputy Director General, Ministry of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Department
2. Prof. Jane Fisher – Professor of Global Health – Monash University, Australia
3. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thuy – Director of The Human Safety Net Vietnam
4. Dr. Doan Thu Huyen – National Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Office
5. Representatives from Provincial/City Departments of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of: Ha Nam, Quang Ninh, Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Can Tho, Binh Thuan, Soc Trang
6. Representatives from Ministry of Ethnic Minorities Affairs and Religion
7. Representatives of Prevention Collaborative (USA)

Additionally, there were representatives from international partners, local and international NGOs, public and private hospitals, etc., totaling nearly 100 delegates attending the workshop.

The workshop opening featured speeches from leaders of Ministry of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Department, Monash University, and the Director of The Human Safety Net.

Following the workshop opening were presentations by Monash University, RTCCD, and Dr. Doan Thu Huyen.

1. Comprehensive Early Childhood Development: The Story from Research to Scaled-up Intervention – Prof. Jane Fisher
2. Presentation on the Positive Parenting Skills Education Model in mountainous and lowland areas – MSc. Tran Thi Thu Ha
3. Integrating positive parenting pratice training in early childhood development within expanded program on immunization – Dr. Doan Thu Huyen

Following the workshop were the sharings from Ha Nam province delegates on local implementation experiences and questions from Ha Giang and Lai Chau province delegates to better understand the project implementation methods.

Binh Thuan – the first province to implement provincial-level Training of Trainers (TOT June 16-18) – also shared their feedback and commitment to implementation within the province.

At the end of the workshop, Dr. MD. Tran Dang Khoa reiterated the benefits of integrating the “Early Journey of Life” into the EPI program and committed to providing technical and professional support for the program’s implementation in the 5 EM-THRIVE project provinces/cities and nationwide in the future.

Some images from the workshop: