grantees » Quoc Tran Ba

This grantee is still in the process of their leadership development with the JWH initiative. 

Vietnam’s hydropower plant construction is proceeding with little regard for the environment, leading to loss of fertile farming land and loss of natural forests. Luckily, environmental leaders like Quoc Tran Ba have taken the initiative to do something about this.

After majoring in Geography and the Environment at the Hue University of Science, Quoc Tran Ba began working at the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD).  This NGO is committed to improving the quality of life of those who are affected by environmental degradation and climate change. One of his accomplishments at CSRD involves creating the Hue Students’ River Network which teaches young students about the importance of Vietnam’s rivers. His passion for education and the environment has garnered praise from his colleagues, saying that Quoc “is very enthusiastic on scientific research” and that “he seems to be promised to become a potential leader”.

Quoc wants to use his JWH grant to maximize his leadership skills and halt the damaging effects of hydro power plants. So far Quoc has taken English courses in order to communicate effectively with non-Vietnamese speakers about environmental protection issues. Quoc has also visited the Research Institute for Climate Change (DRAGON). Here he gained knowledge on the various ways one can minimize the negative effects of hydropower to the environment. Quoc also learned with DRAGON how to encourage civil society groups to apply pressure on authorities to prioritize environmental well-being in all projects such as hydro power plants. Quoc is in the process of finishing a study of this research by adding certain legal papers which will help to better define the effects of hydropower and whether or not they are against environmental law. Quoc wants to ensure that the “hydro power plant construction proceeds in a way which does not threaten either the wellbeing of the natural environment” or “the quality of life of the local communities”.