Mekong Students Complete Their Field Research and Celebrate Graduation

The EarthRights School Mekong (ERSM) Class of 2010 recently completed their field research and celebrated their graduation. The thirteen students hail from the six countries of the Mekong region – Burma, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam – and represent a variety of disciplines, including human rights law, public health, engineering, disaster relief, and environmental science. ERSM 2010 Graduation Ceremony Their graduation marks the culmination of seven months of intensive study and research on issues facing communities in the Mekong region.

Fieldwork

As part of the ERSM program, students receive financial support to conduct two months of in-depth field research on a topic of their choice. For some, the training and support they receive allows them to more fully explore the issues that they address in their work in their home countries. For others, the school gives them the opportunity to take their work in a new direction.

This year, several students researched the environmental and social impacts of mining and industrial projects in the Mekong region. A student from Cambodia examined the impact of a large-scale gold mine in northeast Cambodia and a Lao student studied the impacts of a lignite mine in his home country. Students from Thailand and Vietnam discussed the impacts of a commercial port expansion project and the development of an industrial zone in their respective countries.

Other students focused on the effects of hydropower on the Mekong River, its tributaries and the people who live along them. A Vietnamese student researched the importance of natural flooding in the Mekong Delta, which produces half of Vietnam's rice and aquatic products, and how flooding is threatened by four existing upstream dams and an additional eleven proposed new dams. Two other students researched the social impacts of new hydropower projects. A student from Burma conducted research in villages slated for flooding as a result of the Myitsone Dam project. "Villagers cannot speak freely and express their concerns about the project," she said, "They are afraid." A student from Laos explained how the planned Sayabouri dam will require resettlement of more than 2,000 people. One villager told her, "Oh my child, help me to talk to the government. We do not want to move from here."

The remaining students focused on problems related to project planning, including corruption, lack of meaningful impact assessments and failure to consult with affected communities. A Cambodian student analyzed the problems with the environmental impact assessment conducted for a proposed power plant. Two others described how World Bank-funded development projects in China and Burma had failed to abide by Bank policies concerning consultation with affected communities. Finally, a student researched the conflicts of interests associated with energy policy development in Thailand and potential legal mechanisms to address them.

Graduation

ERSM 2010 Graduation Ceremony After seven months of intensive study and fieldwork, the graduation was held on December 22nd. Attended by previous ERSM alumni, ERI staff and many friends of the school, the ceremony began with a candlelight procession. Students sat in a circle and reflected on their time at ERSM, sharing heartfelt words of praise for each other and promising to keep in touch. After dinner, each student went on stage to receive their graduation certificate from an ERI board member. The night came to a close with dancing and a performance by a traditional Northern Thai band.

Though their time at ERSM may be over, the departing students will continue to receive support through ERI’s alumni network.