In the recently concluded search for the first-ever Conservation Optimism Southeast Asia Awards, four individuals have been recognised.
Their impactful initiatives focused on four different environmental categories of land, water, air & climate, and cities. We received nominations from the entire Southeast Asia region! Here we share the winning entries.
Land
Lan Thi Kim Ho of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife was awarded for their work.
Under the land category, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife is Vietnam’s first Pangolin Education Center that provides a wide range of communities with an innovative and interactive destination to discover and act to save diverse wild species from extinction.
Lan Thi Kim Ho of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife
Water
For the Water Category, Fadli Azmi was awarded for his work on Siginjai Youth Action in Indonesia.
This is a social community conducting environmental education initiatives against waste pollution in the Batanghari River. The community’s course of action are the following: education, clean-up, research, campaigns, advocacies, and community development.
Fadli Azmi of Siginjai Youth Action
Air and Climate
Meanwhile, for the Air and Climate Category, Philippines’ Ariestelo Asilo was awarded for their work with Varacco Inc and the initiative “Coffee Internet of Things”.
This is a social enterprise that boosts production and quality of coffee beans that increases the employment and income of coffee farmers. They introduce climate-smart technologies and techniques that help the farmers have sustainable and advanced farming practices.
Ariestelo Asilo of Coffee Internet of Things
Cities
Finally, for the category of Cities, Devirisal Djabumir of Indonesia was lauded for his initiative the “Dream School”.
It is focused on the circular economy by introducing waste management practices such as eco-bricking, composting, and incorporating zero-waste lifestyles to schools.
Devirisal Djabumir of “Dream School”
People’s Choice Award
Another winner was of course the People’s Choice Award. From a number of almost 800 votes, Sheherazade of Indonesia got the highest number for her initiative Sulawesi Regional Ecological Conservation.
Sheherazade of the Sulawesi Regional Ecological Conservation
The winners will get certificates, recognition with the Conservation Optimism Digital Badge, a platform to share their stories on Conservation Optimism, and a token of appreciation.
This is the first run of the Conservation Optimism Awards for Southeast Asia and we hope this award will help the youth to expand their networking and elevate their exposure to get more opportunities in developing their initiatives.
The East West Center is a member of the ConservationNOW network.
First ever Conservation Optimism Awards for Southeast Asia
