The Institute of Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation (ERECON) works under the theme "In pursuit of harmony between development and the environment in Asia," focusing on environmental rehabilitation and conservation in Asian countries, mainly Thailand and Cambodia. With its own research center, it advances both fieldwork and academic research.
In the field, it runs the "International Green Volunteer Training" in Cambodia. The FY2026 program is scheduled for March 8-16, 2027, visiting Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Province, and is recruiting participants. It also presents the ERECON Awards, in cooperation with the International Society of Environmental and Rural Development (ISERD), to people who have contributed to environmental rehabilitation and conservation through sustainable agriculture or greening.
On the research side, it co-hosts the annual International Conference on Environmental and Rural Development (ICERD) with overseas research institutions, and edits and publishes the peer-reviewed International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (IJERD). It also cooperates in promoting education for sustainable development (ESD) led by UNESCO and the United Nations University, and the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI).
Key points
- Works on environmental rehabilitation and conservation in Asia, mainly Thailand and Cambodia
- International Green Volunteer Training in Cambodia, open for applications
- Strong research activities, including co-hosting international conferences, publishing an academic journal and presenting the ERECON Awards
Why this organization's work stands out
A distinctive feature is that it has both volunteer training in the field and research activities such as international conferences and an academic journal. Field experience and research knowledge are connected within one organization.
Training is recruited every fiscal year, and reports from past programs are published. It is an opportunity that students and working adults interested in the environment or rural development can consider as a way to see the field firsthand.
Editor's comment
I felt this is an organization that tackles the big theme of balancing development and the environment from both the field and research sides.
Application details for the training and activity reports are on the official website. If you are interested in the environment or rural development, please take a look.