peace & light

Revitalizing Vietnam

The East Meets West Foundation, of which John Anner, A82, has been executive director since 2003, was founded 20 years ago in an effort to heal the wounds of the Vietnam War. Still going strong, the organization provides health care, clean water, education, and other fundamentals for disadvantaged Vietnamese. EMW also works against sexual trafficking, and undertakes large-scale construction projects like bridges, dams, libraries, and hospitals. In February, the Vietnamese government awarded Anner the Medal of Peace and Friendship Among Nations for his contributions so far. Not one to rest on his laurels, Anner is turning his attention to the storms, flooding, and drought that come with global warming. “The next looming cloud on Vietnam’s horizon is the reality of climate change,” he says. “EMW will be tackling this problem.”