An Interview with Ripin Kalra – CHEC Governing Board Trustee

CHEC has had the privilege to have the strategic and senior level advisor Ripin Kalra on our board for almost 10 years. Ripin came across CHEC as early as 1997 at the Edinburgh CHOGM, where he was introduced to Zena Daysh, the founder of CHEC. Ripin has been a tremendous asset to CHEC over the years and are currently pushing for a new project, aiming to work together with communities in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries to restore andprotect urban ponds and freshwater resources.

Ripin is qualified in Sustainable Architecture, Disaster Risk Reduction and Finance, with extensive international urban development experience in 30+ countries and several Commonwealth countries. He has worked in leadership roles within multi-disciplinary global firms and consultant with World Bank and DFID, where he worked closely with the Not for Profit Sector on Humanitarian and Development Issues. He is currently also teaching postgraduate courses on ‘Environmental Assessment Policy and Climate Change’ and ‘Urban Risk and Resilience’ at the University of Westminster.

What field within human ecology are you particularly interested in?

Urban development, particularly sustainable development through land use, water and energy efficiency. I am passionate about climate resilience and community led management of assets.

What do you believeis CHEC’s biggest achievement?

I believe our biggest achievements are our work on fisheries and bees. With regard to the new project I am pushing for, I hope that CHEC will also be known for our work on ponds and surface water for communities.

This year, CHEC is focusing one ducation as a tool towards sustainability. Why do you believe education couldbe a key towards a sustainable future?

Education is at the very root of change.