Kể từ khi GS Phan Nguyên Hồng nhận giải thưởng quốc tế Cosmos Prize (ICP) 2008 đến nay đã hơn một năm – trong thời gian đó GS đã thực hiện được một số hoạt động từ một phần tiền thưởng như:
- Hỗ trợ kinh phí để duy trì các hoạt động nghiên cứu của Trung tâm nghiên cứu hệ sinh thái rừng ngập mặn (MERC) Đại học Sư phạm Hà Nội và Ban Nghiên cứu hệ sinh thái rừng ngập mặn (MERD) Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội.
- Tặng một số suất học bổng hàng năm cho những sinh viên nghèo vượt khó trong nghiên cứu khoa học của Khoa Sinh – Đại học Sư phạm Hà Nội.
- Đóng góp vào Quỹ khen thưởng khoa học cho cán bộ trường Đại học Sư phạm Hà Nội.
- Tặng 20 suất học bổng hàng năm cho các học sinh nghèo (từ năm 2009 đến 2015) trường tiểu học ở quê hương nơi GS sinh sống hồi thơ ấu, và góp phần vào trang bị nhà văn hóa của làng Thuận Hòa, Đức Vĩnh, Hà Tĩnh.
- Xuất bản cuốn sách tranh “Rừng ngập mặn của chúng ta” bằng 02 thứ tiếng Việt-Anh để phát cho các địa phương ven biển và để trao đổi trong khu vực Đông Nam Á (với số lượng lớn).
On the occasion of the New Year, MERD wishes all readers happiness and prosperity.
It has been more than one year since Prof. Hong was awarded with the prestigious International Cosmos Prize (ICP) 2008 by Expo’ 90. The monetary prize has been used to fund in whole or in part a number of activities for local communities such as:
- Certain research activities of MERC (Hanoi National University of Education) and Mangrove Ecosystem Research Division (MERD) (Vietnam National University, Hanoi);
- Annual scholarships for poor students who have overcome hardship to do scientific research at the Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education;
- Financial contribution to the Science Reward Fund for scientists of Hanoi National University of Education;
- Twenty annual scholarships (from 2009 to 2015) for poor primary school pupils in Prof. Hong’s home village, Thuan Hoa (in Ha Tinh Province);
- Financial contribution to the operation of Thuan Hoa Village’s cultural house;
- Publication of the picture book titled “Our Mangroves” in both English and Vietnamese to be distributed to coastal communities and for information exchange in Southeast Asia (10,000 copies);
- An educational campaign on mangroves in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province from 2nd November 2009 to 10th December 2009. Activities included educational quizzes and contests as well as artistic performances by local people, all mangrove-related. Among the participants were most local residents and several representatives from the Action for Mangrove Reforestation, Japan (please see the photos below);
Birds flock to Xuan Thuy National Park in northern Nam Dinh Province every winter. They find at the park a safe shelter thanks to the peaceful and well-protected environment. The park was listed as the 50th Ramsar Convention site and included as a UNESCO-recognised Red River Biosphere Reserve.
A group of farmers and fishermen have switched from catching wildlife to protecting them, in an effort to preserve the precious biodiversity around Xuan Thuy National Park.
Twenty years ago they used to call him "the king of bird snaring", but now 60-year-old farmer Hoang Van Thang from Giao Xuan Village, Nam Dinh Province is a member of a dedicated front-line bird-protection team.
The village is one of five, including Giao Xuan, Giao An, Giao Thien, Giao Hai, Giao Lac which make up the buffer zone surrounding Xuan Thuy National Park
Thang and a group of 30 volunteers, all fishermen, work to protect the park by patrolling the 100-ha mangrove forest around Giao Xuan Village. They meet authorities from the national park every three months to share any news.
Professor Phan Nguyen Hong from the Mangroves Ecosystem Research Centre - Vietnam National University of Education has won the international Cosmos Prize for his contribution to saving mangrove forests.
The most significant fact is that Hong's work has helped revive many Mangrove forests destroyed in war time". Hong was selected from 131 candidates from 25 countries to become the first Vietnamese scientist to receive the award - and prize money of US$380,000. The award ceremony was held in the Japanese city of Osaka. The prize is awarded annually by the Expo 90 Commemorative Foundation to an individual or team who contributes to the interdependence of life and the global environment.
Professor Phan Nguyen Hong from the Mangroves Ecosystem Research Centre - Vietnam National University of Education has won the international Cosmos Prize for his contribution to saving mangrove forests.