Introduction
The Center for Biodiversity and Development (CBD), under management of the Institute of Tropical Biology, was established in June 2006 by a group of scientists known as the SIERES Group. The staff of CBD have significant experience conducting studies in ecology, environment, natural resources, biodiversity conservation and community development throughout Vietnam.
 

Vision

CBD aims to address the central question in sustainable development: How do we best conserve, restore, develop and responsibly use natural resources in harmony with improving the livelihood and capacity of forest-dependent communities of the country? 

Approach

CBD’s activities aspire to harmoniously integrate basic research and development concepts via training and information dissemination at grassroots levels. CBD highly appreciates and promotes the participation of all stakeholders to make its activities as effective as possible. Participation at the grassroots level is seen by CBD to be viable to successful conservation and development projects. 

Special concerns

-  Biodiversity and conservation issues in the South Annamites.

-  Natural resource uses and environmental issues of typical ecosystems such as wetland, dry and karst enviroments.

-  Conservation capacity at grassroots levels.

-  The participation of communities and role of local people in conservation and development projects.

-  The sustainability of community’s cultural characters and values in resettlement programs.

-  Indigenous knowledge on using natural resources effectively and the development of Non-timber forest products.

Research programme

-     Studies in ecology, bioresources; methods in conserving, restoring, developing and sustainably using natural resources in the South Annamites and especially southern central coastal areas of Vietnam.   

-     Studies in ecology and bioresources to help establish, manage and conserve areas that contain high biodiversity value previously not recognized.   
                              

 Training programme

Objectives:

i.          to strengthen institutional capacity for biodiversity conservation and forest management in Vietnam’s southern region;

ii.        to disseminate existing biodiversity data;

iii.      to link biodiversity research to conservation efforts.

CBD is carrying out a course “Training of Trainers in biodiversity conservation in southern Vietnam”  supported by the MacArthur Foundation (2006-2008). Furthur training courses on “Inventory and monitoring biodiversity”, “Skills in communication and working with communities” and “Inventory, monitoring and development of Non-timber forest products” are also offered by CBD. 

Community development programme
Based upon a participatory approach, CBD manages to find solutions that increase income, raise the effectiveness of natural resource uses and encourage collaborative forest management.
CBD has experienced in environmental and social impacts assessment of conservation and/or development projects.
 

Communication programme
CBD designs and implements environmental education to improve people’s awareness on biodiversity and environmental  protection through activities of study tours, interpreting environment and communication via mass newspapers, television, posters, brochures and internet.