Inspiring the new generation of Lao nationals to pursue careers in nature conservation

At the heart of nature conservation are people. Particularly the new generation of Lao nationals who will drive the change to solve environmental and nature conservation challenges. Such as Ms. Keo (28-year-old), who says she wants to protect nature and be a voice for conservation and aims to be a role model and support conservation efforts (“ເພື່ອປົກປ້ອງເປັນກະບອກສຽງ, ເປັນແບບຍ່າງທີ່ດີ ແລະ ສະໜັບສະໜູນວຽກງານອະນຸລັກ”).

There is a growing community of a young generation of Lao Nationals, like Ms. Keo, with the energy, passion, and commitment to protect their environment and the rich biodiversity in their country. And this makes our hearts sing with hope. At Association Anoulak, we have strived to select our team members based on their motivation, hard work, and interest because we believe in investing in people.

Association Anoulak’s team. Three members were selected as part of the program candidates

However, in Laos, opportunities for training, studies, internships, financial support, or networking in the nature conservation sector are scarce for the new generation. Yet one of the most commonly encountered challenges shared among conservation organizations in Laos is to identify the people with the commitment, motivation, and skills to implement their programs. 

Group photo with the 31 candidates with co-organizers

To us, this identified problem only meant one thing: finding a solution.  With this in mind, Association Anoulak developed the Lao Youth on a Mission for Nature Conservation. Our main goal with this program is to inspire and encourage the young generation in Laos to pursue careers in the environment and conservation sector. In July 2024, we joined hands and skills with EconoxLaos, a social enterprise co-founded by three young Lao nationals with nature and sustainability in their heart, to co-organize and implement the program.

Association Anoulak’s founder and director, Camille Coudrat, with EconoxLaos team (Three Econox members were selected as part of the program candidates)

From over 100 applications from Lao nationals aged 18-30, thirty-one outstanding candidates from across Laos (20 females, 11 males, from 09 provinces) were selected to participate in this first-of-its-kind 2024 pilot program. Our main criteria were passion and commitment to pursue a career in conservation. We (Association Anoulak and EconoxLaos) implemented the intensive two-week program on 15-27 July 2024. To do so, we partnered with over 20 organizations working in Laos (with a total of 49 people contributing), either in the nature conservation sector or capacity building sector, to deliver a unique and diverse program, including case studies on conservation programs implemented in Laos as well as several soft skills workshops to provide the candidates the best chance for their future.

Program’s agenda Week 1

Program’s agenda Week 2

This program was also an excellent opportunity for networking with fellow youth and with conservation partners for potential internships or full-time roles. Among the exciting daily programs was a visit to the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife’s brand-new site, which inspired the participants. The program also included a final team project proposal and pitch to put their ideas and skills into practice and get the chance to receive seed funding to implement their project. 

Following the training, 79% of the participants said that all or most of the content covered in the training was new knowledge to them, and 82% felt this training program would help them decide what career/studies they want to pursue. Overall, 86% of the participants were ‘completely’ satisfied with the training program. When asked what are the most important takeaway messages they learned during the program, participants consistently mentioned the connection with other youth and the new skills and knowledge they gained.

Visit of the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife site

Visit and tour of the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife site

Visit of the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife site

“I learned about conservation efforts and felt the responsibility to do my part because nature is our habitat” – participant, cohort 2024

“The reason for my desire to pursue a career in conservation is that I participated in this project and saw many animals and plants living in Laos that are unique and only found in our country.”  – participant, cohort 2024

“The most important takeaway messages I learned during the program are: 1. Teamwork is essential: Collaboration and working effectively with others can lead to better outcomes. 2. Perseverance: It’s important to keep trying and pursuing goals that we believe in, even when faced with challenges.” – participant, cohort 2024

These are just a few feedback we received from the participants, among many more. In the coming year, the program participants will either pursue their studies in Laos or abroad, apply for job or internship positions in the conservation sector, or continue their current jobs in the conservation sector. We will set up regular communication meet-ups with the 2024 cohort to get their updates and continue to provide them with mentorship and support where needed.

The future is in the hands of the youth. Laos has a bright community of young people ready to tackle society’s problems with passion, skills, and energy. We need to provide them with the means and opportunities.

We plan to pursue, expand, and improve this program with the same enthusiastic partnerships, friendships, and support we have experienced this year. We hope running this program once a year will increase the pull of future young nature conservation leaders in Laos. The long-term impacts of this program will improve effective conservation action in the country and could go far beyond.

Let’s dream big together. If you want to support this program in the coming years, please get in touch with us at info@conservationlaos.com

Module 01: Orientation, introduction and team building delivered by Global Shapers Vientiane Hub

Module 02: Introduction to biodiversity, by professors from the National University of Laos

Module 03: Youth change makers: role of young volunteers in conservation, by Zero Waste Laos

Module 04: Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Monitoring, by WWF-Laos

Camera-trap practice, by The Saola Foundation

Module 05: Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking, by XMT Technovator

Module 06: Biodiversity research for conservation Examples of Lao case studies, by WCS-Laos

Module 06: Biodiversity research for conservation Examples of Lao case studies by The Saola Foundation

Module 07: Communication and storytelling matter for conservation, by Econews Laos

Movie night: Short films for conservation and panel with Wildlife Photographer and filmmakers

Module 08: Illegal wildlife trade / CITES / IUCN Red List, by IUCN-Laos and WCS-Laos

Module 09: Law enforcement, Patrols, Smart system, by WCS-Laos

Talk session (panel discussion): Leadership and decision-making skills in a time of crisis

Learning trip to Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife. Practice of enrichment for animals at the center

Module 10: Communities, livelihoods, sustainability etc. Human Social aspect, by Association Anoulak and participation of villagers from the local community from Nakai-Nam Theun National Park

Module 11: Career preferences and passion finding & CV writing and self-preparation for job, by Katalyst Partners

Module 12: Animal rescue / animal welfare / breeding-reintroduction programs, by Free the Bears Laos

Module 12: Animal rescue / animal welfare / breeding-reintroduction programs, by Elephant Conservation Center

Module 13: Project proposal writing and project management, practice. By Stella

Module 14: Lao vegetation diversity and conservation effort, by Dr. Phetlasy, Botanist and lecturer at the National University of Laos

Module 15: Project idea presentation and elevator pitch, by Startnovation

Panel discussion with inspiring Lao conservationists: “My journey as a conservationist in Laos”, with representatives from WCS-Laos, Rural Development Association,The Saola Foundation, Free the Bears Laos, WWF-Laos and IUCN-Laos

Module 16: Lao National Biodiversity Strategy, Global Biodiversity Framework and how the youth can be involved, by GIZ-Laos and Rural Development Association

Module 16: Lao National Biodiversity Strategy, Global Biodiversity Framework and how the youth can be involved, by GIZ-Laos and Rural Development Association

Biodiversity Hack (participants team-up to develop their project ideas over a full 2 days)

Biodiversity Hack (participants team-up to develop their project ideas over a full 2 days)

Biodiversity Hack Award Day, Certificate Ceremony, Program closing party

Biodiversity Hack Award Day, Certificate Ceremony, Program closing party

Biodiversity Hack Award Day, Certificate Ceremony, Program closing party

Some participants at the award ceremony with the co-organizers (Association Anoulak and EconoxLaos)

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the partner organizations who delivered all the lectures, activities, workshops, panels and visits during the two-week program: WWF-Laos; WCS-Laos; The Saola Foundation; IUCN-Laos; The Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife; Free the Bears; Elephant Conservation Center; National University of Laos; SEED (National University of Laos); GIZ-Laos; Rural Development Association; XMT; Stella; Zero Waste Laos; Global Shapers Vientiane; Econews Laos; Mindmedia; Precious Plastics; Katalyst; Startnovation; Lab de Line.

We are incredibly grateful to the donors for supporting this program in 2024: Mandai Nature, Wilhelma Zoological Foundation, Denver Zoo, and the German Embassy in Laos.