Enabling Boat: ICT training to empower coastal youth

Microsoft Vietnam and MCD partnered up to give a fighting chance for the young people of coastal communities

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In 2017, the project will target the local youth of resettled fishing villages and others who live in remote coastal areas without much access to learning facilities. The project is jointly implemented by a group of diverse partners working toward the benefit of the coastal community. Key activities include ICT and computer science training, organising events to raise awareness about marine conservation, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation.

It is expected that 150 local trainers and NGO staff will be engaged in TOT training, 200 youth will be trained, and at least 2000 people will benefited from training and awareness raising events. Moreover, 50,000 community members will be provided with access to information and learning opportunities via various communication campaigns.

Nguyen Thu Hue, MCD’s director, emphasised: “Using the boat, a familiar part of the livelihoods of the coastal community, as a symbol of learning, we would like to promote a proactive approach tailored to the local youth. As a key implementing partner, MCD shall bring much added value to the partnership where each of us do what we are best at: Microsoft provides financial and technical support, necessary software, and services, ACER provides brand new laptops suitable for the youth, Vietnet-ICT coordinates training in ICT skills and computer science, and other local partners make their own contributions for the success of the project. We believe that by experiencing training courses and events with the enabling boat, the youth will be inspired to overcome challenges and strive for a brighter future.”

With a sizeable coalition of partners, coastal youth will be able to learn on the laptops about the importance of IT

Vu Minh Tri, general director of Microsoft Vietnam, shared: “Technology is a powerful force for improving people's lives. Our mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. In cooperation with local partners, Microsoft has implemented the Enabling Boat project with the desire to help everyone, especially underserved communities, to seize opportunities and achieve their dreams."

"With this Project, Microsoft offers a new, need-based technology approach and locally driven activities adapting to the situation of disadvantaged youth from coastal fishing villages, who do not have sufficient access to basic ICT education. The Enabling Boat does not only bring ICT education to the underserved youth, but also connects them to the world,” he added.