DMN Initiative - SDGs Council - DMN Foundation
Vietnam’s First Youth-Led Peace, Security, and Development Initiative Since 2018
DMN ECO-DEFEND Project
Securing a Toxic-Free Future through Youth-Led International Law and Grassroots Action
An Initiative by the DMN Foundation & SDGs Council since 2022
Focus Areas: SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 16 (Peace & Strong Institutions), Global Environmental Security.
Pollution as a Threat to Peace and Human Rights
Hazardous chemicals, plastic pollution, and mismanaged waste are not merely environmental issues—they are global security and human rights crises. In the Global South, marginalized communities disproportionately bear the brunt of hazardous waste dumping, exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants, and mercury contamination.
This reality is particularly evident in Vietnam’s Quang Tri Province—the former Demilitarized Zone and headquarters of the DMN Initiative—where communities continue to suffer from the toxic remnants of war. We recognized a critical blind spot in international policy: Sustainable peace and human rights cannot exist in a toxic environment. To address this, on 5 June 2022, the DMN Initiative launched Project DMN ECO-DEFEND, a pioneering dual-track program bridging the gap between grassroots chemical waste remediation and high-level international environmental law.
Unlike traditional conservation projects, Project DMN ECO-DEFEND approaches chemical and waste management through the lens of International Law, Global Security, and Human Rights. We empower youth from developing nations to transition from being victims of hazardous pollution to active architects of environmental policy, aligning local action with the Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
"Zero-Toxics" Youth Campaign
Mobilizing our 500+ DMN Ambassadors to conduct targeted e-waste collection and plastic reduction drives in 35+ countries.
Educating vulnerable communities on the hidden dangers of POPs and mercury in daily consumer goods, fostering safe disposal practices at the local level.
Legal Literacy & Capacity Building
Democratizing access to complex international frameworks. We train youth advocates on the operational mechanics of the Stockholm Convention, the Minamata Convention, and the Basel Convention.
Translating technical chemical policy into actionable youth advocacy toolkits (Empowered by Local Youth Union).
Global South Policy Synthesis
Compiling the first global, youth-led policy synthesis documenting how transboundary hazardous waste dumping violates the fundamental human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. (Empowered by UN MGCY)
Capturing real-world data and case studies from ASEAN and African youth networks to present directly at high-level UN platforms.
"Action for Nature" Project
The exceptional contributions and achievements in Environmental Activities are vividly showcased through the impactful initiatives spearheaded by the DMN Initiative - SDGs Council - DMN Foundation.
(Empowered by UNDP Asia-Pacific MY World 2030)
Please visit our Impact page to see further.
Eco-Diplomacy & Green Governance Policy Labs
Hosting Model UN-style, ASEAN-style and EU-style simulations focused on Multilateral Environmental Agreements and 17 SDGs.
Drafting white papers and policies on single-use plastics for a university campus or local municipality) within DMN Policy Lab.
Connecting youth with environmental lawyers and human right defenders for career guidance and policy review within DMN Mentorship Program.
Circular Economy and Green Enterprise Incubation
Disbursing seed funding (USD 1K - 2K) to youth-led green enterprises or projects across the ASEAN region that focus on the ethical recycling of e-waste or the engineering of biodegradable alternatives to toxic plastics (Empowered by Nam Yen United Organization).
Hosting virtual pitch competitions annually within DMN Young Leaders Competition where young innovators worldwide present circular economy solutions to environmental financiers.
32+
Activities
35K+
Funding
FACTS
As of January 2026. Amount in U.S. dollars
68K+
Impacted people
5
Related SDGs
6
Pillars of Action
Join the Movement
Project DMN ECO-DEFEND proves that young people are not just beneficiaries of a clean environment; we are the essential watchdogs of international environmental law. We are actively seeking partnerships with organizations, human rights defenders, and global policymakers to scale our impact.
Contact our Secretariat for information: sdgscouncildmn@gmail.com (DMN Secretariat) / dinhthanhyen@namyenunited.org (Ms. Yen Dinh - Representative of Nam Yen United Organization) / ngoctonhu.do@ru.nl (Ms. To Nhu - Representative of DMN Ambassadors Community & DMN Foundation)
Subject: DMN ECO-DEFEND – [Your Name/Organization]
Learn more about our work: https://www.dmn-initiative.org/impact