During almost two decades, participating countries of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) have been working closely to tackle the adverse impact of acid deposition and air pollution. In particular, they have been conducting training, research and awareness-raising workshops to strengthen the capacity of the network’s stakeholders.

From 17 July to 3 August 2018, six participants attended a training on monitoring of acid deposition in Niigata, Japan. The training content was customized to respond to participants’ requests for hands-on skills that would be useful upon returning home.

Scientists of the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research facilitated the training through a combination of classroom lectures and laboratory practice. Besides learning about acid deposition, the participants also developed and perfected their skills in sampling and assessments of the results. The laboratory training included standard knowledge of laboratory techniques, such as sample treatment, and data analysis. At the end of the training sessions, the participants had an opportunity to visit similar research centres in Japan.

Upon completion of the training, participants expressed their appreciation towards the training programme, particularly the course flow. With adequate time allocated for each subject and the right balance between lectures and practice, the participants felt that they had the opportunity to digest the training content and follow the course smoothly.

“The course was very beneficial for me, and it was well prepared. Even though I have been doing similar laboratory activities (sampling and analysis) every day at work, here, I learned something new,” says Dyah Aries Tanti, a training participant from Indonesia.

Like Tanti, Peach Pon, from Cambodia, mentioned that the training has helped to strengthen his capacity as monitoring officer. Celebrating his birthday during his time in Niigata, Pon is keen to learn more on other monitoring skills as he sees the importance of strengthening the capacity of monitoring officers in Cambodia. He looks forward to bringing back the knowledge, applying it, and sharing it with his peers.

The individual training is a regular activity of the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia. It gives the opportunity to monitoring officers and researchers from participating countries to enhance their skills and knowledge on monitoring of acid deposition and air pollution. It usually can accommodate up to six individual participants every year for about three weeks. The network typically organizes the training at the Asia Center for Air Pollution Research in Niigata, Japan.

For more info, please contact the Secretariat for the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia: eanetsecretariat[at]un.org