Working through Covid – 19

The past months witnessed the appearance and the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), leading to the restriction in travels among countries. However, despite the difficulty in traveling, SIVN’s researchers still managed to work with each other through online meetings.

On June 12^th, a meeting was held for the purpose of discussing the final changes to the questionnaire such as questions on savings and Covid-19. Covid-19 has had dramatic impacts on people’s lives, therefore, it is necessary to add Covid-19-related questions to the current questionnaire. The team also decided the way to facilitate the data-entry process. However, it is noted that Covid-19 should be seen as add-on parts, because the research also includes the period before the outbreak of the pandemic.

12 days after that, the team met up again, discussing the progress to date and the way forward, emphasizing the importance of the project. Especially, four research papers were proposed, namely: Social inclusion policies in Southeast Asia, Social Justice and Social Inclusion of Rural Migrants in Hanoi, Social inclusion and social solidarity in Vietnam: the role of NGOs in supporting the mobilisation of migrant worker groups and advocating policy reform and The Role of Social Capital in Inclusion of Rural Migrants in Vietnam: A case study of Tan Trieu commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi. Regarding the research papers, each of the paper is studied by at least two members from both UCC and USSH, and the whole team is trying its best to research on what have been studied before, what is missing and what should be done in their writing. With the passion and the commitment they have for the project, it is expected to have the drafts for each paper soon.

Despite the obstacles brought by Covid-19, the team is very flexible and proactive in finding ways to deal with the situation.