Bayer - Eco-Minds - Biography

Eco-Minds 2007

Biography

DR. SUBIN PINKAYAN

DR. SUBIN PINKAYAN

Dr. Subin Pinkayan was born and grew up in Chiang Mai, a province in the North of Thailand. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering with honor from Chulalongkorn University, Master of Engineering from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

Early in his career, Dr. Subin worked as an engineering consultant with the then Bangkok-based Mekong Committee, the precursor to the current Mekong River Commission. The Mekong Committee brought together the four states in the Mekong Region that were allied to the US, namely Thailand, Laos, South Vietnam and, after 1970, Cambodia. During this period, the Mekong Committee, with the support of the US Bureau of Reclamation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), developed plans for seven dams on the Mekong River mainstream with a combined capacity of 23,300 MW and reservoirs capable of storing more then one third of the river’s annual flow. After leaving the Mekong Committee, Dr. Subin was involved in the establishment of SEATEC (Southeast Asia Technology Co., Ltd.) in Thailand (now the SEATEC Group of Companies), an environmental and engineering consulting company that has since completed more than 1,000 projects in nine countries throughout the region.

Dr. Subin played prominent roles as Project Director and advisor for several successful irrigation and water resource projects implemented in collaboration with both local and international organizations such as the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), etc.

Apart from his active role as professional engineer, he has also held high ranking positions in Thai government at different periods as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Commerce, Minister of University Affairs, Deputy Minister of Finance and as member of Parliament of Thailand.

Dr. Subin is currently active in public affairs and company business – both at home and abroad. He was a recipient of the 1991 Personal Service Award in “National and International Prestige” honored by Colorado State University and also a recipient of the 2003 Outstanding Alumni Award in “Social Achievement Award” honored by Asian Institute of Technology Alumni Association of Thailand.

IAN KIERNAN

IAN KIERNAN
Ian Bruce Kiernan, born in 1940 near the shores of Sydney Harbour, Australia, is one of the most influential environmentalists in the world today. Ian was a builder and property investor, specialising in historic restorations before he founded Clean Up Australia and Clean Up ther World. He has always been a passionate yachtsman.

It was during the BOC Challenge solo around-the-world yacht race in 1987 that Ian saw and was appalled by the amount of rubbish choking the world's oceans. He committed himself to do something about it on his return, starting in his own backyard - Sydney Harbour.

On January 8, 1989, with the support of a committee of friends, Ian organised a community event - Clean Up Sydney Harbour, which received an overwhelming response from 40,000 Sydney residents and sparked national interest in the community-based idea. The first Clean Up Australia Day took place on 21 January, 1990. Since then more than 7 million Australians have been involved in the annual Clean Up Australia Days, Friday Schools Clean Up Days and Business Clean Ups.

In September 1993, Ian founded a global Clean Up campaign – Clean Up the World - and formed a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to manage and promote it. An estimated 35 million people from 120 countries are now involved in Clean Up the World and Ian is now the Chairman of Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World from his base in Sydney.

Ian was named the Australian of the Year in 1994 and also holds the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). In 1993, Ian was made a UNEP Global 500 Laureate for leadership in the local and global environment. The prestigious United Nations Environment Programme Sasakawa Environment Prize was awarded to Ian in 1998 while the World Association of Girl Guides nominated him for the ‘Building World Citizenship award’ in 1999.

This year, Ian's involvement as an Eco-Minds ambassador in Australia has assisted in gaining both print and radio coverage of the 2007 Eco-Minds Program in the country. Ian has been invited to participate in Eco-Minds 2007 forum as a keynote speaker to share his long-term experience to participants.