The Trustees of the Conway School are pleased to announce the 2012-13 David Bird International Service Fellow, who will be working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the Environmental Education Alliance of South East Asia (EEASEA).

Elizabeth Cooper, a 2010 Conway graduate from Middletown Springs, Vermont, will work in Kuala Lumpur for six weeks between December 2012 and April 2013. Kuala Lumpur, which has a blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian populations, is a dynamic and vibrant modern city with easy access to highly diverse rainforest environments within an hour’s drive.

The selection committee remarked that “Elizabeth’s application demonstrated a tremendous sensitivity for other cultures and the environment. She has a beautiful and heartfelt understanding of the importance of good design and outdoor learning/play spaces for children.” The committee has appointed Fiona Dunbar ‘09 of San Francisco as an alternate in case Cooper cannot serve.

Kenny Peavy, EEASEA’s founder, will be the local host for the fellowship. The Fellow will select from two projects: 1. Go Out and Play! Natural Children’s Play Spaces and 2.  Bring Back the Birds! Greening School Campuses.

The Environmental Education Alliance of South East Asia (EEASEA) is a United States tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization operating in South East Asia (currently Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand). The organization is dedicated to empowering communities with the attitude, skills and knowledge to take action for a sustainable future.

The Bird Fellowship, established in honor of longtime friend of the school David Bird by his family and friends, is given annually to a recent graduate of the Conway School.