SPERI - HEPA FFS - Vietnam

The Social Policy Ecology Research Institute (SPERI) is an NGO is Vietnam dedicated to the betterment of indigenous peoples in the Mekong regions by influencing government policy and by providing education in Permaculture and ec-farming on Farmer Field Schools within a Human Ecology Practice Area. The Social Policy Ecology Research Institute - SPERI works towards a society where indigenous people and ethnic minorities have equal access to social justice, gender equity, natural resources and fair social economic systems in the Mekong region. SPERI operates a Human Ecology Practice Area, a 420ha property of mostly protected forest which incroprates Farmer Field Schools.  These schools are training grounds for students from a number of indigenous groups from Vietnam and Laos. Permaculture principles are practiced on these farms in conjunction with 'local knowledge'.  SPERI works with 'key farmers' to influence the uptake of these ecologically sustainable methods to be accepted by the wider indigenous communities, and from there influence all peoples within the Mekong region. SPERI works in conjunction with with CODE (Consultancy on Development) and CIRUM (Culture Identity and Resources Use Management).