Crawford graduate’s plans to change climate and environmental policy in Myanmar

Crawford students bring with them a world of knowledge and experience, and Hla Doi is no exception.  

Prior to starting his Master of Environmental Management and Development, Hla worked with Indigenous communities and organisations such as Promotion of Indigenous and Nature Together (POINT) for a decade, where he engaged with United Nations climate negotiations (COP) from 2016 to 2023 and participated in the Subsidiary Body (SB) meetings in Bonn, Germany, for five consecutive years. He also served as an Indigenous Observer to the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) under the World Bank from 2019 to 2024, representing Indigenous peoples’ perspectives in global discussions on climate finance, investment, and sustainable development. That experience, however, left him wanting more knowledge.  

“These experiences, including my national work in Myanmar on forestry, REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), climate change, and Indigenous rights, motivated me to strengthen my analytical and communication skills so that I could contribute to more inclusive and evidence-based climate and environmental governance,” Hla explains. 

He chose Crawford because of its strong interdisciplinary foundation that integrates science, security, economics, social analysis, and public policy.  

“The program’s reach equipped me with the ability to view environmental management through social, political, and scientific lenses.” 

Hla made every second at Crawford count, even auditing courses when his study load was full. This included Water Justice, Management and Governance, and International Climate Change Policy and Economics, which helped deepen his understanding of equity, transboundary water systems, and climate diplomacy.  

He told us that courses such as Environmental Economics for Public Policy and Domestic Climate Change Policy and Economics provided analytical tools to assess climate financing and policy design.   

“In Environmental Governance and Impact Assessment and Evaluation for Environmental and Development Projects, I explored practical methods for assessing environmental and social outcomes, evaluating stakeholder participation, and integrating Indigenous perspectives into decision-making. These courses enhanced my ability to link theory with practical skills that I now apply in both national and international policy settings,” he said. 

“The courses helped me to think critically about environmental issues from multiple dimensions. The diversity of my peers and the intellectual support from academics fostered a truly global learning experience.”  

After graduation, Hla plans to continue working in climate and environmental policy, focusing on integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into national and regional frameworks. He hopes to contribute to climate adaptation planning, environmental governance, and land rights advocacy in Myanmar and across the Asia–Pacific region. In the long term, he aspires to work with international organisations and networks that promote just transitions, climate finance access, and sustainable resource management for Indigenous and local communities. 

“Studying at Crawford has not only strengthened my academic and professional skills but also deepened my commitment to inclusive, rights-based climate policy. I am grateful to the academic mentors and peers who encouraged me to think critically and act collaboratively. My experience has reaffirmed my belief that interdisciplinary, ethical, and inclusive approaches are key to achieving sustainable and just environmental futures.” 

Congratulations on graduating, Hla. We can’t wait to see the difference you make in the world.  

If you’d like to learn more about studying at the Crawford School of Public Policy, you can click here. For more stories from Crawford Alumni, and the Crawford Alumni Dialogue series, click here.