Dr Richard Moore, Senior Lecturer in Built Environment, has recently returned from Singapore and Bintan Island, Indonesia, where he took part in an extensive programme of meetings, public speaking and research visits.

Richard received a personal invite to participate in a small gathering of global thought leaders in sustainable tourism development, offering him a unique opportunity to investigate joint approaches to travel industry challenges and knowledge sharing. Topics covered included supply chain responsibilities, carbon reporting and water security.

The gathering was facilitated by EC3 Global, an internationally recognised certification body, and the EarthCheck Research (ER) Institute. Attendees included some of Australasia's Travel and Tourism Industry's largest and most innovative organisations, some of whom are providing support for a major EU SWITCH-Asia funding bid submitted by Richard and ER.

Richard undertook a public lecture by the Banyan Tree Foundation at Singapore Management University, which discussed the intersections between the human and natural world, and how added value can be achieved without ecological damage. This lecture followed a private session with Banyan Tree's project and facility management teams on how to deliver, benchmark and certify sustainable resort developments throughout the Australasia and Indian Ocean regions.

Richard also visited a unique conservation centre located within the grounds of a resort in Bintan Island, Indonesia, that carries out marine biology research with particular interest in turtles, sharks and King Cobra snakes. The visit also focused on an extensive programme of community empowerment though education and training, particularly with young people and women of adjoining villages.

Discussions took place with Singapore Polytechnic regarding their Diploma students who often transfer on to Universities in the UK. Links and opportunities between the various establishments will now be the subject of continuing dialogue, with the primary aim of securing students for Anglia Ruskin degree courses.

There are also opportunities for a web based schools programme which encourages greater understanding of sustainability by engaging young school children, their schools and parents in the way that they can influence conservation of the earth's finite resources.

Richard's trip was part funded by the Department of the Built Environment and Research Development and Commercial Services (RDCS).

If you are interested in any further information about Richard's trip or research please email richard.moore@anglia.ac.uk