Posted on June 23, 2025 View all Articles
In a celebration of two decades of enduring peacebuilding and development, Friends of Project RENEW co-founder and long-time advisor Chuck Searcy has been asked to speak as the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary event of the HoChi Minh City Peace and Development Fund (HPDF), hosted by the HoChi Minh City Peace Committee in August.
The event, held at the War Remnants Museum, will bring together leading voices in humanitarian aid, veterans’ reconciliation, and post-war recovery. Chuck Searcy, a U.S. Army veteran who returned to Vietnam nearly three decades ago to support efforts to heal the wounds of war, will focus on the shared journey toward peace, justice, and reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States.
Searcy’s participation reflects the deep partnerships between Vietnamese communities and international NGOs, including the transformative impact of Project RENEW’s mine action and victim assistance work in Quang Tri. When asked about this opportunity to speak at the conference, Searcy emphasized, “The work we’ve done together like clearing land, educating youth, supporting survivors, is not just about removing bombs from the earth. It’s about removing the legacy of war from people’s lives.”
Searcy also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, noting that HPDF and Project RENEW both exemplify models of community-driven development rooted in trust, transparency, and resilience. He praised HPDF for 20 years of advancing peace and empowerment in Central Vietnam, especially through its support for women, youth, and war survivors.
As Friends of Project RENEW supporters know, Chuck’s leadership has been central in guiding the mission to transform former battlegrounds into thriving communities. We extend our congratulations to HPDF on this milestone and thank Chuck for representing Project RENEW with the same humility and passion that continues to inspire us all. Check back for pictures and more information and Chuck’s appearance after the conference in August!
