Mekong Alumni from Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Burma attended several workshops focusing on Women and Climate Change in Bangkok from September 27-October 8th. The workshops were planned to coincide with the UNFCC Inter-sessional Conference, International Climate and Strategy Conference and Regional Workshop on Power Alternatives. At the workshops, Mekong alumni took part in developing strategies for action and cooperation between women’s groups throughout Asia.

During the “Human Rights Advocacy and Business” training in Chiang Mai, the organizer of Diplomacy Training Program Geoff Hazell, came to Mekong School then gave a presentation on the process of DTP and shared further training information to Mekong Students and Alumni who are in Chiang Mai. At the same time, Dang (Vietnam), Piseth (Cambodia) and Si Phoung (Burma) gave a presentation to fourth generation of Mekong students regarding their joint campaign on the Economic Land Concession in Sre Amble, Koh Kong Province, Cambodia. In addition, Dang, Piseth and Si Phoung, Miao Miao and Dorn shared their experiences and methodology of their field work then ending with a question and answer session.

Recently 3 Mekong Alumni Dang from Vietnam, Piseth from Cambodia and Si Phoung from Burma participated in the Diplomacy Training Program’s “Human Rights Advocacy and Business” training which was held from 13-20 July 2009 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.The Diplomacy Training Program is affiliated with the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales and was founded in 1989 by José Ramos-Horta, the 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate and President of Timor-Leste.

The program brought together 30 participants from the Asia Pacific region and provided participants with information about the latest international developments in the emerging field of corporate accountability and human rights. It enabled participants to explore the responsibilities of companies in relation to human rights, and the practical avenues for holding corporations accountable to these responsibilities.