Alumni of an educational institute as change agents for community-based environmental management initiatives: experience from a Solid Waste Management demonstration project in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

Community-based Solid Waste Management (SWM) initiatives are widely recognised for their role in complementing the efforts of municipalities in managing the environment of cities. Community-based initiatives usually require a change agent to bring together local authorities and communities. This role is usually played by NGOs. The educated and skilled citizens can also play similar roles in discharging their social responsibilities. This paper presents the efforts of educational institute to mobilise its alumni as change agents to improve the environment of their own cities. The paper also reveals that educated citizens can effectively bridge the gaps between communities and local authorities.