What is PRVN?
Introduction
The creation of the Pacific Rim Vetiver Network (PRVN) was the result of a proposal made by the Vetiver Network (TVN) coordinator Richard G. Grimshaw at the First International Conference on Vetiver (ICV-1) held in Chiang Rai, Thailand, on 4-8 February 1966. Mr. Grimshaw suggested that Thailand act as the core of PRVN since she is the site of the world's largest vetiver project, known as the Doi Tung Development Project, under the supervision of the Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (ORDPB), the organizer of ICV-1.
ORDPB submitted the proposal to His Majesty the King, a keen supporter of the use of vetiver grass, in order to obtain his comments and approval. His Majesty agreed with the proposal and commissioned the setting up of PRVN under the supervision of the Committee on the Development and Promotion for the use of Vetiver Grass (CODPUV) at His Majesty's Initiative, to be administered by ORDPB.
Objectives
The main objective of PRVN is to serve the countries of the Pacific Rim as the centre to collect, compile and disseminate information on the Vetiver System (VS) in the form of a newsletter, occasional technical bulletins and other publications, and a website. The secondary objective is to assist the member countries in training, attending study tours and obtaining plant materials, as requested and when necessary.
Members
Country Members: Twenty countries situated in the Pacific Rim are automatically entitled to become members of PRVN. These are, in alphabetical order, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, the Cook Islands, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam. They are grouped under the following three categories:
4 Countries with a national network and national coordinator
China: China Vetiver Network (CHVN) - Prof Liyu Xu
Philippines: Vetiver Network Philippines (VENETPHIL) - Mr. Edwin Balbarino
Thailand: Thailand Vetiver Network (THVN) - Mrs. Suwanna Pasiri, acting
Viet Nam: Vetiver Network Viet Nam (VNVN) - Mr. Tran Tan Van
16 Countries with no national network but with country representative
Australia: Dr. Paul N.V. Truong
Brunei: CR vacant
Cambodia: Mr. Kong Thann
Cook Islands: Mr. Sabati Solomona
Fiji: Mr. Jai Gawander
Indonesia: Mr. David Booth
Japan: Mr. Tsutomo Fujihara
Lao PDR: Mr. Boonkong Sengthavon
Malaysia: Dr. P.K. Yoon
New Caledonia: Mr. Georges Donskoff
New Zealand: Mr. Don Miller
Papua New Guinea: Mr. Rob Shelton
Samoa: Mr. Walter Vermullen
Taiwan: Mr. Yue-Wen Wang
Tonga: Mr. Siosiua Halavatau
Vanuatu: Mr. Henry Kathecau
Scientist Members: Those who want to join PRVN can apply directly to the secretariat, giving name, current position, place of work, mailing address, email address, and other information which is deemed necessary.
