Action for the City was started in 2006 by a small group of Vietnamese with a passion for the
city. They saw many problems in this capital--traffic, pollution, loss of green space, discrimination--and had a vision of a green, clean city, 'where the livin' is easy.' But everyone has dreams and we can all make up visions. The difference is that this group acted on their passions and founded Action for the City, a local NGO committed to "bringing people together for livable cities," committed to integrity as an NGO, and committed to creativity and playfulness. We recently had a workshop to re-evaluate the goals and values after being in operation for two years and to renew our friendships. We drew pictures of our dreams, we shared with each other on a personal level (the first question I was asked: "So how about your boyfriend?" -!-), we lay on the grass with our heads together and stared up at the unusually blue skies... and we clarified our mission:"Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all in Hanoi and other cities by increasing community participation, bringing common voices to policy-makers, and using a variety of creative forms and media as tools for social change. We focus on three main areas:
Environment: We work to slow down the process of climate change and create a healthy environment for all.
Social development: We work to reduce urban poverty, promote equal access to social services, and advocate for disadvantaged groups.
Creative urban living: We work to bring out and celebrate the creativity of individuals and communities for a sustainable lifestyle."
It all sounds pretty lofty, especially when you realize there's only five staff and two volunteers, and when you see our tiny one-room office with one octagonal table and little loft area. But we're all about bringing people together and as such have an extended networking system. There are always visitors coming in the office and emails fly around faster than you can say, "Tôi yêu Hà Nội" (I love Hanoi). And, my coworkers are simply amazing people who inspire me with their passion, creativity, and dedication. Being able to work alongside them has made this entire year worth it. Sometimes I come in to work discouraged or depressed, and they greet me warmly and simply love me. Once a week we have a "Buddhist lunch," where we eat vegetarian food in meditative silence, focusing on eating slowly and being fully aware of where our food comes from. Doing this together adds a kind of spiritual bond between us. I should also add that we rent our small room from the History Museum which has an amazing, quiet courtyard filled with blossoming trees and ancient artifacts (and occasional drunk karaoke parties and military drills).
So now, what do we actually do and what is my specific role in it all? We have a number of projects running concurrently, funded by different agencies (like the Worldbank or a Swedish environmental group) and working with different people and issues. In future blog entries, I will write specifically about Just Massage, Photovoice, and Green Transport Day. My role as communications officer is to develop PR--flyers, brochures, website material, writing articles, photography, etc--but I end up doing a lot more, including English editing, tech support, office interior design, English teaching, evaluations, massage tester (my favorite! :), receptionist, and many other odds and ends. I have a great deal of variety every day, which keeps life interesting. Because it's a small office, I can be part of discussions on new proposals, meet many people, and work on my Vietnamese! Action for the City has become my second (or third?) home, my little family...
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