Zihao Yin Named 2026 Projects for Peace Award Recipient for Digital Literacy Initiative in Thailand

Zihao Yin, a Global Governance and Policy student at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) (December 2026), has been named a 2026 Projects for Peace award recipient. His project, “Mekong Digital Guardians: Combating Cyber-Fraud to Build Economic Resilience & Trust,” will be implemented in Nong Khai, Thailand.

Yin’s project addresses the growing threat of cyber fraud in rural communities along the Mekong River, where increased smartphone use among elderly populations has not been matched by digital literacy. As a result, many have become targets of cross-border scams, leading not only to financial loss but also to strained family relationships and diminished trust between generations.

To respond, Yin will lead a youth-driven initiative that transforms cybersecurity education into an interactive experience. The project will train local students as “Digital Guardians” to facilitate community workshops using a co-designed anti-scam board game toolkit. By translating complex fraud schemes into accessible, culturally relevant formats, the program aims to equip elderly participants with practical skills to identify and avoid scams.

The initiative builds on Yin’s previous fieldwork in Nong Khai through his internship with Openmind Projects, a local nonprofit partner for the project. His academic training in financial crime management at MIIS further informs the curriculum, which incorporates real-world fraud typologies and prevention strategies tailored to the local context.

Projects for Peace, an initiative established in 2007, awards $10,000 grants to undergraduate and graduate students to design and implement grassroots projects that promote peace and address the root causes of conflict in communities around the world.