Applications are now being accepted for the Mekong School

Applications are now being accepted for the Mekong School

The Mekong School is a unique training programming for specialists from the Mekong region (Yunnan/China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam) whose work focuses on environmental issues and civil society. The six month-long training program uses experiential learning methods to equip participants from the region with skills required to conduct research, gather data, and effectively campaign around environmental issues affecting the region. The training will take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand from June to December of 2007. Housing, transportation, and a living stipend will be provided to successful candidates.

This year the Mekong School will focus on hydro-development, water issues, and international financial institutions (IFI). The program will provide the students with research, writing, and intercultural skills, and substantive knowledge and experience to voice their individual and collective concerns about IFI-funded hydroelectric projects, and related transparency and participation issues within the Mekong basin. Graduates of the program will form a strong network of environmental advocates who, acting together, can effectively campaign on behalf of affected communities who are currently underrepresented.

The goals of the Mekong School 2007 session are:

• for students to understand both the negative and positive impacts of current and past international financial institution-funded projects and how affected communities in the Mekong region and other nearby countries have responded;
• to develop relevant knowledge and develop students’ practical skill base in research, advocacy and campaign work; and
• to develop strong relationships, networks and campaign plans for implementation upon graduation and return to respective countries.

The training program is divided into two months of instruction in the classroom followed by a two months practicum in which participants will return to their home countries to undertake research and documentation work on key projects. After the practicum, the participants will return to the school for a two month session focussing on advocacy planning.

Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2007. For more information, please contact the Mekong School Coordinator at http://us.f536.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=mekong@earthrights.org.

Source: EarthRights International- Southeast Asia Tel: +66 1 531 1256

PO Box 123 Email: infoasia@earthrights.org

Chaing Mai University PO, Chiang Mai 50202 THAILAND

  Return    Print    Tell friends    Go Top