CID at Harvard University :: Research on Sustainable Development Seminar :: Dam It! Environmental Advocacy in China: Public Protest and China's Environmental Policy Process with Wang Yongchen

Research on Sustainable Development Seminar

"Dam It! Environmental Advocacy in China: Public Protest and China's Environmental Policy Process"

Speaker: Wang Yongchen, Senior Environment Reporter for China National Radio and President of Green Earth Volunteers

Hosted by Professor Tony Saich, Faculty Chair of Asia Programs, Harvard University
Co-sponsored by the Science Environment and Development Group, the Center for International Development, the China Project, and the Harvard University Center for the Environment

Tuesday, 8 November 2005
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Perkins Room, 4th Floor, Rubenstein Building, KSG

Biography:

Wang Yongchen is the Senior Environment Reporter for the Beijing-based China National Radio and President of the Chinese organization Green Earth Volunteers. Wang organized an unprecedented public campaign against plans to build thirteen dams on the Nu River. The 1,750 mile Nu River, in southwestern China, is one of Asia's last pristine waterways and is home to more than 7,000 plant species, more than half of China's animal species, and some 22 ethnic minority groups. The campaign brought together NGOs, scientists, government officials and the general public and called for economic development that respects the environment and local communities. Their efforts led to Premier Wen Jiabao's announcement in April 2004 to put the dam project on hold due to concerns about the environment and ethnic minorities. This move signaled a significant change in China where only 15 years ago journalist Dai Qing was imprisoned for raising concerns about the Three Gorges Dam. Wang is the recipient of numerous awards including the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Prize (1993, 1999, 2001) and the Earth Award (2001). The Earth Award is the highest environmental prize in China. After receiving this award, she contributed the prize money, a sum of 20,000 RMB, to China's Environmental Foundation and founded the Green Earth Education Fund. She is also the recipient of the 2004 Condé Nast Traveler Environmental Award (2004).