Elizabeth Tracey's award.

Ambassador of the Year 2009 

Life will be made a little easier for communities in South Vietnam thanks to the hard work of Australian Catholic University staff member Elizabeth Tracey, and a $20,000 grant from the United Nations Volunteers (UNV).

A member of staff in the School of Education at the University’s Canberra Campus, Elizabeth has long been an advocate for sustainable living in South Vietnam, and was recently acknowledged with the United Nations 2009 Volunteer Award.

Elizabeth has contributed much of her time to ‘Global Compact’, a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations with principles of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

 “I am a big believer in sustainability within the country and its communities,” Elizabeth said.

“The most problematic issues associated with these communities are ones of accessibility. It is currently a 21 hour journey by boat and four-wheel drive to reach the outskirts of these villages, most of which are built within craters left by the bombing during the war.”

 “With the help of this grant, the remote communities in South Vietnam will benefit from the inclusion of sewerage systems, running water and accessibility to surrounding villages.”

Through implementing these systems, the Vietnamese people will be enabled with the skills needed to create sustainable living conditions for their families and communities.

“These people are extremely gracious, selfless and happy,” Elizabeth said. “We do not wish to change their lives or infringe on their culture in any way other than to provide support and empower them in what they do.”