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(ข้อความข่าว ลงใน นสพ. เดอะเนชั่น (The Nation) ฉบับวันที่ 17 กันยายน 2549 (17 September 2006) หน้า 2A)
Bowing out is the only way to avoid dividing the country, panel concludes.
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is at the root of the continuing political crisis and has no other choice but to bow out of politics for the good of the country, an academic seminar has concluded. อ่านเพิ่มเติม “Thaksin should go for nation’s sake: academics”
(คำบรรยายในการประชุม ASEAN GO-NGO Forum on Social Welfare and Development จัดโดยกระทรวงการพัฒนาสังคมและความมั่นคงของมนุษย์ (โดยสำนักงานคณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการจัดสวัสดิการสังคมแห่งชาติ) เมื่อวันที่ 8 กันยายน 2549 (ประชุมระหว่าง 8-9 กันยายน 2549) ณ โรงแรมสยามซิตี้ กรุงเทพฯ)
Introduction
Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), or civil society organizations (CSO’s), or public-benefit organizations (PBO’s), or non-profit organizations (NPO’s) are themselves quite various, to say the least, in each country, let alone among countries. In each country, situations are also ever-changing, never staying still. Among the countries in ASEAN, furthermore, differences abound in the areas of government setups and characteristics, legal and administrative systems, social structures and norms, and so on. Therefore, to talk of ASEAN GO-NGO collaboration in general, easily runs the risk of over-generalization. That being the case, however, I would like to offer some thoughts for consideration by asking a number of key questions as follows.
Question (1) : Collaborate for what ?
When we set out on a journey, we need to know what our destination is. Likewise, when we talk about ASEAN GO-NGO collaboration, we should be clear as to what our ultimate aim is.
Is it social welfare ? Is it social development ? Is it human security ? Or is it total societal strengthening ?
It is conceivable, perhaps advisable, to classify the aim of collaboration into output, outcome and impact. Hence, the aim of ASEAN GO-NGO collaboration may be stated as bringing about “social welfare and social development” which will lead to “human security” as well as “total societal strengthening”.
Being clear, and being agreed, about the ultimate aim of collaboration, will prevent the likely pitfall of too shallow, or too narrow, or too rigid, or even misdirected objective or objectives of our efforts. It will also do away with an unclear destination which would not be helpful in mapping out strategies and programs of the intended collaboration.
Question (2): Collaboration for whom ?
Apart from being clear about the ultimate aim of collaboration, we should also be certain as to for whom our collaboration is intended.
It is all too easy to jump to a conclusion that the collaboration is intended for the poor and the disadvantaged. That may be correct in the case of the government and NGO’s carrying out activities dealing directly with the target persons.
But there are many other cases where the government and NGO’s do not, or should not, deal directly with target persons, but rather through other organizations, agencies, or institutions such as local governments, people’s organizations, local institutions, or local NGO’s, to name but a few. Indeed, that should generally be the case. That should be the rule rather than the exception.
Hence GO-NGO collaboration should be aimed principally at supporting the major executing bodies such as local governments, people’s organizations, local institutions and local NGO’s, as opposed to trying to deal directly with the target groups, except in a limited number of cases where there are clear, legitimate reasons.
Question (3): Who Collaborate ?
Whether it is for the purpose of social welfare, social development, human security, or total societal strengthening, the actors, or partners, or participants of the programs are likely to be various, and the major actors need not be the government or NGO’s. Where the government or NGO’s are the major actors, the results maybe short-lived or not sustainable, or they may not lead to real social development or real total societal strengthening.
What may be more desirable is that those closest to the problems or the situations should be the major actors. Hence people’s organizations, local governments, local institutions (such as religious, educational or cultural institutions) and local NGO’s, should be the major or the principal actors, with appropriate support and/or facilitation from outside organizations.
Collaboration, therefore, should be not just between the government and NGO’s, but rather among the various actors and partners involved. What is more, the axis of such collaboration should be the people’s organizations or organizations that are closest to the people, which can be deemed to belong to the people and / or operating for the true and lasting benefits of the people and in a sustainable manner.
Question (4): Collaborate at what level ?
People is any country or society are normally scattered. They in turn are part of a local community or an administrative unit, typically a local government unit. Or they are part of a certain kind of area-based grouping of classification.
So when we talk about GO-NGO collaboration, or, as stated earlier, collaboration among the various actors and partners or participants, then such collaboration can and should take place at all levels of a society or of a country. The nature and manner of the collaboration will necessarily and appropriately be different in different cases and at different levels.
For GO-NGO collaboration in particular, it is conceivable to design, or plan for, a collaborative structure at the national level which is in turn linked to collaborative structures at other levels. Ideally, this should be done through consultative processes among the various stakeholders so as to be appropriate, agreeable, harmoniously workable and efficiently effective.
Then, since we also have international collaborative structures such as ASEAN, the level of collaboration should therefore go higher than a national level where appropriate. In this context, an ASEAN GO-NGO collaborative structure can be designed and its mode of operations mapped out accordingly.
Question (5): Collaborate about what ?
It is all very well to collaborate, but what do we collaborate about?
It should be useful to think of 3 levels of collaboration.
First, the strategic level. Here the strategies for bringing about social welfare, social development, human security, or total societal strengthening, may be:
· Having the right public policies,
· Undertaking the right knowledge creation or knowledge management,
· Carrying out the right communication or campaigning programs,
· Bringing about the right networking or social mobilization for specific purposes.
Having identified the strategies to be undertaken, the parties involved can then agree on how to collaborate in connection with the said strategies.
Second, the supporting level. Here the appropriate support for social welfare, social development, human security or total societal strengthening undertakings, may be of a technical, financial, administrative, or other nature. Likewise, once the nature and the specifics of the support are identified, then it is not difficult for the parties concerned to agree on the way collaboration should be effected.
Third, the operating level. This is the case where the parties concerned are directly involved in the operations of social welfare, or social development, or human security, or total societal strengthening measures. Since the parties are directly involved in the operations, they can agree among themselves about the way in which they are to collaborate with one another.
Question (6): How to collaborate ?
Agreeing to collaborate is one thing. Knowing how to collaborate is another. There are of course no fixed rules, nor is there one right answer. However, a few suggestions are offered for consideration here.
First, there should be the right “consciousness” or the right attitudes among those who are to collaborate with one another. The “consciousness” or attitudes of compassion and goodwill, of love and respect, of understanding and tolerance, of positive and creative thinking, etc., are all desirable for constructive and effective collaboration.
Secondly, the right “mental models” or “paradigms” would enhance collaborative efforts, while lacking those, or having the wrong ones, would sooner or later bring about difficulties or problems in the collaboration. Hence efforts should be made to understand one another’s mental models or paradigms so as to see to it that they help, rather than hinder, the collaboration as much as practicable. In the situation where mental models or paradigms are not compatible, understanding and tolerance should be resorted to while trying to find a creative way around the problem.
Thirdly, there should be on-going constructive consultation and “on-action”, interactive and mutual learning and development among the collaborating parties. Such consultation and learning are beneficial to all sides. If the “on-action”, interactive and mutual learning and development can be carried out along the line of “knowledge management”, then it is even better, and should help improve both the collaborative processes and the actual social welfare, social development, human security, or total societal strengthening undertakings, on a continuing basis.
Conclusion
I would like to conclude by saying that, in carrying out ASEAN GO-NGO collaboration, the following should be borne in mind and put into practice in the most appropriate and practical manner possible.
First, see and understand the whole picture. Also see it as a complex, dynamic, and adaptive set of systems involving many parts, mechanisms, processes, etc.
Secondly, develop and practice mindfulness. This should help clarify constructive thoughts as well as inculcating creative “consciousness”, attitudes and “paradigms”.
Thirdly, continually practice and refine “on-action”, interactive and mutual learning and development among all the collaborating partners.
May I wish each and every one of you all the success and peaceful happiness in the most desirable manner possible!
ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม
2 ต.ค. 49
อ้างอิง
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เว็บไซต์ ต้นฉบับ https://www.gotoknow.org/posts/52984
Opening Statement
by
H.E. Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
And Minister of Social Development and Human Security
at the
High – level Stakeholders Workshop on Empowerment of
People with Disabilities and a Barrier – free Society
through Networking and Collaboration
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
UNCC, Bangkok, Thailand
_______________
Your Excellencies,
Mr. Shigeru Mochida, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP,
Mr. Katsuji Onoda, Resident Representative of JICA in Thailand,
Mr. Jun Niimi, Charge d’ Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan and the Permanent Representative of Japan to ESCAP,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I have the great honor and pleasure to welcome all the distinguished delegates attending the High – level Stakeholders Workshop on Empowerment of People with Disabilities and a Barrier – free Society through Networking and Collaboration.
Today, we all live in a global community of interdependent nations. This international community’s interests on disability and development are interwined. In order to help one another achieve a long and lasting prosperity, our efforts must be built on the determination, willingness and spirit for closer cooperation among members of the whole community.
Last year on December 13, after years of hard work by both governmental and non-governmental organizations including persons with disabilities, the international community at the United Nations adopted a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Thailand, together with other countries, was one of the active participants in the drafting process amongst the Asian members of the Working Group to prepare the draft text.
When we look closely at the Asia –Pacific region, we can clearly see that much effort was invested to promote the development of people with disabilities. In 1992, recognizing that the majority of approximately 400 million persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Region were still socially vulnerable without equal rights and opportunities and were left behind in socio-economic development, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) declared 1993 – 2002 as the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons at the 48th Commission Session.
In order to encourage effort throughout the Decade from 1993, a resolution on “Strengthening Regional Support for Persons with Disabilities” was adopted at the 54th UNESCAP Commission Session in 1998. Following this resolution, a project to establish a Center which would facilitate disability-related regional cooperation in alignment with the Decade was developed. In 2001, the Thai Cabinet officially agreed to establish a Center namely the Asia – Pacific Development Center on Disability or APCD in Thailand and approved funding for the program. The Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also contributed to the Center since the beginning.
In 2002, UNESCAP agreed to extend the Decade from 2003, and the Biwako Millennium Framework for Actions towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights- based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific was adopted as a regional action plan for the new Decade (BMF) . The APCD was identified as a focal point for the regional cooperation in the BMF. The APCD then jointly collaborated with the Thai Government and other stakeholders such as JICA, the UNESCAP and non-governmental organizations, to serve as a regional center on disability in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific.
The issue of persons with disabilities is of global concern. This is not only a humanitarian issue but also a developmental agenda linked to human rights, human security and poverty eradication. In Thailand, regional initiatives and cooperation reinforce national efforts effectively. Full integration of persons with disabilities into society is a national agenda. The Thai Government has clearly changed its policy from a charity-based approach to a rights-based approach of service provision to persons with disabilities. The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is in the process of revising the LHth thththth egislation on Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act of 1991 towards a rights-based approach and integration of persons with disabilities into society while enhancing their potential for self-development. Furthermore, campaigns have been embarked upon to awaken public awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure their inclusion in social and community life.
APCD has 2 main objectives: to empower persons with disabilities and to promote a barrier-free society. Its activities include training, information support, networking and collaboration to promote the full participation and equality of persons with disabilities in society. APCD promotes the human rights of persons with disabilities. In addition, an important goal of APCD activities is to enhance Asia-Pacific regional networking and collaboration; this includes forging cooperation with governmental agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
The wide range of participation from developing countries in this Region marks an important contribution to the regional effort in addressing the issue of persons with disabilities. It is through effective networking and collaboration that APCD could expand its activities to different countries in the Region. Such collaboration has greatly benefited persons with disabilities and resulted in partnership among multi-stakeholders. The roles of civil society and NGOs are important in promoting and addressing humanitarian and developmental issues by collaborating with government. The APCD’s regional activities have been strengthened and in turn have been able to compliment multilateral approaches to addressing the core issues of persons with disabilities.
Despite my confidence in the strength and potential of the APCD in expanding its regional activities, it is my hope that from now on all government ministries and departments will see the need to cultivate, encourage and foster persons with disabilities and disabled peoples’ organizations as partners in social and economic development. To achieve this, some adjustment and change within the government institutions will have to be made to accommodate this new climate. The APCD itself is improving its administrative structure to enhance more involvement of different stakeholders including persons with disabilities both in and outside Thailand to collaborate more effectively with APCD. APCD will then become an asset of the region rather than of Thailand only. It is expected from this Workshop that technical support and a mechanism to move issues of disability and development forward will be discussed so that APCD can more fully cooperate regionally regarding disability issues.
In addition to such governmental change, I have a vision for how our society as a whole can further foster regional cooperation.
First, we must recognize that resource mobilization is most important. Regional cooperation requires people as much as other resources such as money, expertise, knowledge, material and skills. Individual countries can become involved in various ways.
Second, networking is essential. The establishment of networks and collaboration with governmental, non-governmental and inter-governmental agencies should be promoted. Networks of persons with disabilities must be strengthened and regarded as equal citizens in society. Persons with disabilities will become consumers, partners in policymaking and also advocates. Grass-root networks should be promoted since grass-root organizations implement on a face-to-face level. Equally important is the family, the most basic unit of society; it must be enabled to fulfill its role to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy full human rights and dignity, and flourish as individuals. For persons with disabilities, the environment within the family is extremely important for their quality of life since families create opportunities that support persons with disabilities to achieve their full potential.
Third, knowledge and knowledge management are most valuable. This refers to the search for, collection, exchange, application, development, and so on, of knowledge. Knowledge management is both a science and an art which are being applied and developed widely in Thailand as well as other countries in the region.
Last but not least, inter-regional collaboration should be enhanced. As I stated earlier, disability is an issue of global concern where different initiatives and experiences are developed. Exchange and sharing of regional initiatives in the field of disability, including best practices in the implementation efforts of each region can enlarge and empower people’s experiences and learning. In some situations, it creates greater movement on disability-related activities.
I believe that APCD can play a constructive role in this regard. Uniquely, APCD is the primary mechanism of cooperation among the disability-related agencies of countries in Asia-Pacific Region. The success of APCD requires the understanding and support of everyone concerned. I am sure that, like my government, other governments also await the result of your deliberations and recommendations for new ideas and better ways in which we can cooperate to achieve our targets.
In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection, and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the UNESCAP for their support in organizing this Workshop.
I wish this Workshop all the success in fulfilling its objectives and look forward to receiving the report of its outcome. With this remark, I have the honor to declare the High–level Stakeholders Workshop on Empowerment of People with Disabilities and a Barrier – free Society through Networking and Collaboration open.
Thank you.
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เว็บไซต์ ต้นฉบับ https://www.gotoknow.org/posts/103586
Opening Speech by
His Excellency Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Social Development and Human Security
at an International Workshop
on University Governance
Siam City Hotel, Bangkok, 22 June 2007
…………………………
Honourable Guests,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to have the honour of delivering the Opening Address at this International Workshop on University Governance.
First of all, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the organizers, who are Phranakhon Rajabhat University, the University of Technology in Sydney, and the University of Missouri in St. Louis, for inviting me to preside over this important workshop. This workshop is meaningful not only because of its inspiring subject matter, but also because it forms part of the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary this year. Indeed, His Majesty has been the inspiration for the entire nation in view of His devotion to the education of the Thai people.
I would like to take this opportunity to convey my appreciation to His Excellency Mr. William Paterson, the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, for his welcoming address this morning. I also thank the Australian-Thai Institute and the Australian Embassy in Bangkok for generously sponsoring this workshop.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The topic of university governance is indeed a topical one, not only in Thailand, but for higher education the world over. For the global context is one of reform, internationalization and competition in higher education. It calls for higher standards of university governance, placing great demands on all of us gathered in this room.
There is no one definition of university governance. It is defined differently in different contexts. However, it is obvious that there is a marked difference between governance and management. The University Council is responsible for governance whereas the President or the Vice Chancellor is responsible for management. As the organization at the top of the university structure, the University Council is dedicated to mentoring, directing, and working in collaboration with other groups responsible for university governance. As such, the Council’s main functions are to ensure accountability, to monitor and review the performance of the university, and to approve its vision, mission, strategic plan, and budget. So, the Council’s role is to govern, whereas that of the President or the Vice Chancellor is to manage.
To respond to the current challenges and the increasing expectations of external and internal stakeholders, the two bodies need to ensure a more effective discharge of their respective missions and to properly manage their respective responsibilities. In particular, each university must be aware of the need for administrative management to engage all members of the university community in attaining common goals through ensuring effectiveness, good governance and accountability.
To be sure, as an institution of higher education, a university’s first priority is to achieve academic excellence. But at the same time, it requires capable financial management to support its academic mission. Therefore, effective financial strategies must be implemented. It may be that a Governing Council has to delegate responsibility for budgetary details to one member who is a financial expert. And ideally there will be balance between the commitment to academic excellence and to a healthy financial state. Equally, the Council may have to identify other members with appropriate qualifications and expertise to help the university with its strategic planning. What is most important is that all University Council members carry out their duty with dedication and determination. They must devote time to attend Council meetings and represent the university when needed.
What is crucial to effective university governance is the appropriate allocation of resources. Each job at every level of a university structure must be done well to ensure effectiveness and accountability. The exercise of good governance requires the acceptance of tremendous responsibilities in all areas. If all bear in mind that they must act for the benefit of the university as a whole and eliminate all conflicts of interest, then sustainability in university governance is attainable.
Achieving this goal in the evolving context of higher education is not an easy task. However, each of us need not walk alone. The cooperation among university councils represented by this international workshop is a productive approach. The networking and partnerships that you build will provide a basis on which to elevate university governance that will enable our institutions to face future challenges and opportunities with confidence.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me again thank Phranakhon Rajabhat University and congratulate it on the auspicious occasion of its one hundred and fifteenth anniversary. I would like to thank all participants, particularly those who have come from abroad, for your active contributions to the workshop. I am certain that you would learn much from each other’s experiences, creativity, and leadership. I wish all of you productive discussions and a successful collaboration.
With these brief remarks, I now declare the International Workshop on University Governance open.
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เว็บไซต์ ต้นฉบับ https://www.gotoknow.org/posts/106190
Opening Remarks
by
Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham
Deputy Prime Minister
at the 2nd Session of the Conference of the Parties
to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
at the Plenary Hall, UNCC, Bangkok
on 30th June 2007 at 16.30 p.m.
——————————–
Ambassador Juan Martabit,
Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization,
Excellencies ,
Distinguished Delegates,
Honorable Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is not often that we have such a large gathering of delegates from so many countries of the world. More importantly, this is the gathering of people dedicated to preventing the loss of lives and promoting the health of people world wide.
So, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Public Health, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all delegates participating in the Second Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control from 30th June to 6th July 2007 at UNCC, Bangkok. It is my great honor and pleasure to have an opportunity to join with all of you at the precious moment of the opening ceremony of this conference which marks an important chapter in the public health history for showing our global power in tobacco control. I also would like to thank WHO for honoring Thailand in providing Thailand and the Thai people with the opportunity to take part in the first occasion of conducting this conference outside Geneva.
We all have truly known that tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world and also the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. Hence, it can be said that tobacco consumption can lead to loss of life and assets. I do believe that all Parties have mutually agreed that smoking is a very serious danger which is increasingly expanding all over the world. As an example, let me take a few minutes to provide you with some information on this issue in Thailand.
In 2006, based on a survey of the smoking rate of the Thai population aged eleven-years and older conducted by the National Statistical Office, it was revealed that the number of smokers was about 11 million or 20.1 per cent of the population and that the male smoking rate is 15 times higher than that of the female rate. In addition, the rate of smoking of the working age population of 20 to 59 years is the highest at 25 percent. It also indicated that the trend of smoking in youths continues to increase with smokers starting at a younger and younger age. Besides, the disease burden from smoking is the third most significant cause that is only slightly lower than that of sexually transmitted diseases and the other diseases caused by alcohol consumption. This is clear evidence of the rapidly spreading crisis caused by smoking in Thailand which parallels that of many other countries worldwide.
……………………………..
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Royal Thai Government realizes that the tobacco consumption problem is becoming increasingly serious, therefore, priority is given to best practices in providing knowledge, dissemination of information, implementing campaigns, fostering awareness and providing network development support for various population groups such as youth groups, people’s organizations, health multi-disciplinary networks, women’s groups, media personnel and people involved in other areas of science. This also includes the use of various legislative measures. Thailand also gives priority to implementation and development of measures related to any international tobacco law and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by joining in ratification as the 36th country.
I am delighted to say, the results from being one of the Parties at that time has led to the development of better and more sustainable tobacco control conditions in Thailand. It has also pushed us to more easily achieve the Thai development and execution of the Tobacco Product Control Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and the Non-Smoker’s Health Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1992). Moreover, it has facilitated the acceptance of complex issues such as encouraging entrepreneurs to accept the prohibition on tobacco product advertisements at selling points. In addition, it has strengthened the expansion of the network of people in diverse sectors to provide support for these campaigns. Consequently, the rate of smoking of the Thai population is currently stable.
Thailand can therefore take great pride in the achievements of tobacco control, as developments in tobacco control started from zero in 1990 and took almost two decades to achieve satisfactory success in the present. It should be noted that a major factor contributing to the success in tobacco control is the awareness of the dangers of tobacco consumption and the cooperation of all sectors of Thai society. However, the most important contributing factor is the speech delivered in 2005 by our beloved Monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, expressing his concerns about the increasing trend of smoking among youths. This speech energized social consciousness resulting in increased commitment to prevention and control of tobacco consumption among youths.
……………………………..
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Public Health do promise to continue to promote and develop other parts of the tobacco control program. The short term plan is to ensure more efficient execution of tobacco controls and expand non-smoking workplaces up to 100 per cent together with legislating laws in order to cover other public places such as fresh markets and prisons. As for the long term plan, we will strongly implement alternative choices to encourage crop substitutes for tobacco farmers and push for a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising.
I am confident that this conference in Bangkok will achieve the expectations of all Parties. With the global community’s commitment to prevention, control and reduction of tobacco consumption, we can certainly look forward to the improved health and well-being of the global population in the years to come.
Furthermore, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all Parties for your moral support for Thailand in conducting this conference. Let’s take this opportunity to share our knowledge and experiences not only in tobacco control but also in other new health challenges. These challenges will let us learn and develop collectively in order to accomplish our goals. It might be said that although we are from different regions, the language of public health is universal. I do hope that your stay in Thailand would be a productive and memorable one.
Finally, I would like to invite all of you to visit Thailand again. We do have a good share of the world’s natural beauty as well as cultural values. More importantly, the Thai people are always willing to give you a warm welcome and cordial friendship.
Again, let me express my sincere thanks to WHO for your confidence in Thailand to be the host of this conference. I wish all of you all the success in your deliberations.
Thank you.
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เว็บไซต์ ต้นฉบับ https://www.gotoknow.org/posts/107944
Opening Statement
by
His Excellency Mr. Paiboon Wattanasiritham
Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
at the International Conference on Happiness and Public Policy
18-19 July 2007, United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok
อ่านเพิ่มเติม ““Sufficiency Economy: Thailand’s Operationalised Model of Happiness””
คำกล่าวเปิดงาน “International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Forests: Tenure, Market and Policy Reforms” วันที่ 4 กันยายน 2550 ณ โรงแรมอิมพีเรียล ควีนส์ ปาร์ค
Inaugural Speech
International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Forests:
Tenure, Market and Policy Reforms
4 September 2007 Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
—————————-
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to Thailand for this important conference. I am very pleased to have been invited to open the conference.
I am especially pleased because this conference is relevant to a number of themes and issues which have been of professional and personal concern to me for many years. These themes include the importance of social development, human security, rights and participatory development.
The connection between sustainable use of natural resources, including forests, and poverty reduction is important. We know that forests are crucial to the livelihood security of many poor people who live in and around them and that they can also provide increased income. We also know that, in many cases, the potential of forests to provide these benefits has not been met. It is clear that achieving the potential of forests for poverty reduction requires secure access and supportive legislation. This conference is concerned with achieving that potential.
In Thailand there has been debate for many years about a Community Forestry Bill that many of us hope will contribute to assuring secure access. I strongly hope that the Bill will be passed this year or not too long after the next general election. I also hope that it will provide clear access rights for forest dwelling people and, at the same time, ensure sustainable use of forests.
A challenge for the discussions which will occur at this conference, is to put terms like “poverty reduction” in a wider context, and to remember that poverty reduction is not only about increased income. Poverty needs to be understood in a more holistic way than a mere lack of income, although it is about that too.
While the World Bank has used the idea of an absolute poverty line of one dollar a day to stress the urgency of the global need to address poverty, it has also developed the idea that poverty can be thought of as having three dimensions. These are lack of assets, lack of security and lack of power. If we accept this concept of poverty, then addressing poverty requires addressing all of these dimensions, not just the more obvious one which is a lack of assets.
It would be a shame if we forget the importance of livelihood security and empowerment in our discussions over the next few days. It is particularly important to recognise the need to empower individual people and communities and especially to empower them to define the sort of development they need rather than having development defined by others. People must be involved in the planning process. In opening this conference I would like to challenge the participants to consider the roles of communities, civil society and the private sector as well as governments, in developing linkages between forests and poverty reduction.
I would like to thank RECOFTC, the partners of the Rights and Resources Initiative and the various donors who have supported this conference, for making it possible.
I would like to welcome all the many participants from many countries in Asia and all of the other inhabited continents to Thailand. I hope that you all enjoy your stay here and I am sure there will be many fruitful discussions and that the conference will contribute to the aims we all share.
Finally, I have great pleasure in declaring the conference open.
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คำกล่าวเปิดงาน “ International Islamic Economic, Cultural & Tourism Conference in Thailand 2007” จัดโดย สำนักงานส่งเสริมการจัดประชุมและนิทรรศการ (องค์การมหาชน) (สสปน.) เมื่อวันที่ 2 กันยายน 2550 ณ อิมแพค เมืองทองธานี
International Islamic Economic, Cultural & Tourism Conference
Friday, September 7, 2007
IMPACT Muang Thong Thani
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure and honour to be here today on behalf of the Royal Thai Government to welcome you to Thailand, and particularly to the 2nd International Islamic Economic, Cultural & Tourism Conference in Bangkok. It is also my honour to speak on behalf of our Prime Minister, General Surayud Chulanont, who is today in Australia to attend the APEC Metting
Ladies and gentlemen, The ties between Thailand and the Islamic world have developed gradually over our long history of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Muslim countries. The organization of this event in Bangkok is another big leap to strengthen our partnerships further in many areas of mutual interest, especially following the constructive dialogues during the visit to Thailand by OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in May this year, and Thailand’s participation in the 34th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, Pakistan, in the same month.
We are grateful for the close cooperation of our neighboring countries, particularly Malaysia, as well as the OIC’s understanding and cooperation with regard to the situation and the measures undertaken by the Royal Thai Government in the effort to bring peace and stability to the Southern Border Provinces.
From the economic point of view, which is one of the main areas of this conference and the concurrent World of Muslim Trade & Exhibition, this meaningful weekend will provide a forum to expand our partnership in trade and investment.
The World of Muslim Trade & Exhibition will be a great opportunity for delegates from Muslim economies to discover how ready Thailand is to do business with the Muslim world, particularly in the halal business.
Thailand’s significant advantage in the halal industry is the establishment of our government-funded Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University, which is the world’s first center specializing in halal products. The center provides a variety of halal-related services and has taken an active role to ensure that all halal products from Thailand strictly comply with the Islamic Code.
Since Thailand is one of the world’s major food producers and exporters, the Halal Science Center will also be a key drive in the promotion of our halal food industry as part of the goal to establish Thailand as the “Kitchen of the World”.
In May this year, the Halal Science Center has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on technical cooperation with Malaysia’s Halal Industry Development Corp – a move that will lead to greater knowledge of halal food and improvement of much needed laboratory skills in the industry. And today, another MOU will be signed between the Center and the International Center for Education in Islamic Finance, which is an institution with the aim to sustain and support the future growth of Islamic banking and financial services industry.
In terms of investment, our cooperation with the Muslim countries is still limited in number and scope, and we wish to expand these activities and opportunities. We would like Muslim investors to take advantage of our strong manufacturing base and our strategic position as a gateway for trade and investment into Southeast Asia by shifting investment in areas of mutual interest such as energy, petrochemical, banking, and financial services to Thailand. We also encourage investors from Islamic countries to undertake joint investment with Thai counterparts in areas of Thailand’s expertise, such as tourism, hotel management, and food and halal industry.
Also, I must bring to your attention that, without strong support from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the organization of this conference may never be as smooth as it is. As a government organization, TCEB has been entrusted to promote Thailand’s growing industry of corporate meetings, incentive events, conventions, and exhibitions, which is often referred to as MICE. The coordination and facilitation TCEB has provided in support of this conference as well as the World of Muslim Trade & Exhibition is one of the best affirmations of TCEB’s achievements in its effort to establish Thailand as the destination of choice for MICE events in the Asia-Pacific region. I am sure that TCEB is ready and pleased to welcome future incoming MICE events from Muslim countries as well.
I also appreciate the active role of Thai-Islamic Trade and Industrial Association (TITIA) in the organization of this eventful conference. And I would like to sincerely thank the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for the support given.
I wish all delegates and participants at the 2nd International Islamic Economic, Cultural & Tourism Conference in Bangkok a fruitful and memorable time at the event.
Thank you.
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เว็บไซต์ ต้นฉบับ https://www.gotoknow.org/posts/127307
สรุปการประชุมเรื่อง “Gross National Happiness, Suffrcience Economy and Public Policy” จัดโดยจุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ณ ห้อง GM HALL อาคารศศนิเวศ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย
Project aims to turn His Majesty the King’s sufficiency and happiness theories into a new technology policy
Story by CRAIG WARREN SMITH
Craig Warren smith, co-host of colloquium
Electioneering will soon dominate headlines in Bangkok. But a quieter and more consequential issue looms beneath the surface: whether Thailand’s leaders can translate His Majesty the King’s ethical concept of a “sufficiency economy” and that of gross national happiness into tangible innovations in public policy.
If they succeed in doing so, the next elected government may well embrace the new approach.
But sceptics abound. Critics in Hong Kong, writing in The Economist and Asian Wall Street Journal, dismiss the King’s concepts as mere fodder in the anti-Thaksin PR wars.
They claim that sufficiency/happiness notions are too fuzzy to be operationalised, too anti-capitalistic to gain traction.
After all, Thailand sits in the geographic middle of a region that is experiencing the most significant growth surge in history.
Deputy PM Paiboon: three recommendations.
Surely, they insist, the next government will fall in line with reality. Translation: endless consumption as in the Singapore model, not spiritual growth, will remain the implicit aim of the Thai government.
Maybe not.
Last month, a project emerged that aims to prove those critics wrong. It is a year-long series of small colloquia involving some of Thailand’s top academic and government leaders.
Chaired by the head of Chulalongkorn University’s governing board, Prof Charas Suwanwela, it is organised by the University of Washington’s Human Interface Technology Laboratory and Chulalongkorn’s Centre for Ethics in Science and Technology.
Called “Happiness, Public Policy and Technology,” it is intent on producing a dramatic shift in technology policy for the next elected Thai government, one that is in tune with the King’s concepts.
The session brings together technology centres in Thailand such as the Asian Institute of Technology, the National Science and Technology Development Agency, the government’s own technology research arm, Nectec, as well as Chulalongkorn itself.
And surprise: the project already has some powerful market forces on its side. IBM, Nokia and Intel participated in the first session, and Google has signalled that it wants to join in.
If the project succeeds, it could spread rapidly. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which helps 191 nations set telecommunications policy, is listening in.
“ICT can enhance ethics and national happiness,” says Dr Eun-Ju Kim, Head of the ITU’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Dr Suchada: momentum can grow quickly
Aligning with Web 2.0
“We believe that the ‘sufficiency/happiness’ concepts of the King are in tune with the new market forces in technology,” says Prof Soraj Hongladarom, one of the project’s co-organisers.
The key is to understand the innovation dubbed “Web 2.0,” exemplified by applications that have upended technology markets in the West, causing web sites like Google, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Flickr to amass tens of millions of users in a matter of months. Initially, these sites had no business model, but their embrace by the public drew investors. The same could happen in Thailand.
Like China and many other governments, Thailand has taken a defensive stance against Web 2.0 by outlawing YouTube and limiting children’s access to massive multiplayer online gaming. But these problems could be transcended through public/private partnerships and new alliances in Thailand that cause Thailand to move into the forefront of Web 2.0, turning it to Thailand’s advantage. By turning Thailand into a hub for Web 2.0 technologies, the country could exert its comparative advantage in the technology market place and empower its citizens.
In fact, a number of corporations around the world have been nurturing technologies that aim to foster the well-being of users. Many, such as Nokia, have released the source code of their technologies so that local developers can join in. But their innovations remain mostly hidden in research labs, far from Asia. The reason: Till now these corporations have lacked a nation to serve as their beta test site.
One such researcher drawn to Thailand is Intel’s John Sherry, who manages a health care research group in Portland, Oregon. “We are developing biofeedback technologies that draw insight from Buddhist meditation,” he said. “These technologies can help patients monitor their behaviour and reduce stress. Thailand could offer a great environment to help companies such as Intel adapt these technologies to realities of emerging markets.”
Indian researchers echo this view. “The King’s ethical concepts can be incorporated into the design of technologies for education, games, devices, whatever,” said Arvind Lodoya, a Bangalore-based researcher at the Shrishti School of Design whose work is supported by Nokia. “As an open society, Thailand fits nicely with open source. Designers here could develop applications that release the pent up creativity of Thai citizens,” he said. “Unlike India, Thailand has the scale that could bring government officials into interaction with the private sector to point to a new paradigm of technology deployment.”
Prof Charas chaired the session
Three suggestions
Just how would this process begin in Thailand? Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham, a speaker at the recent colloquium, offered three concrete recommendations.
1) Ask citizens “what makes them happy?” An advocate of a strong local role in governance, Paiboon said that technology could be used to assess citizens to find out what in fact could satisfy citizens. “Rather than tell users what to do, the government could use web sites and digital devices to find out what communities want and to monitor their progress in achieving it.
Reinforcing Paiboon’s suggestion, some participants argued that applications could be designed to foster the “wisdom of crowds,” so that by deliberating with each other users could come to embrace the ethical principles that would make their happiness sustainable over time.
2) Identify who knows what: A second concept advanced by Paiboon is a concept he called “wisdom mapping,” in which community members could identify each others’ skill levels, much as users of Amazon.com and eBay use technologies for peer review. In a similar way, applications of technology could be designed to evaluate and honour the skills of neighbours in hundreds of communities. “A village, district or tambon could develop a bank of identified skills that could be called upon in times of need,” he said.
3) Teach mindfulness: A third notion he suggested was “spiritual technologies,” in which technology applications could combine with instruction to teach mind training or mindfulness in citizens, helping them cope with the stresses of modern life. Noting web sites such as spiritualcomputing.com, Paiboon suggested that the colloquia bring to Thailand the best thinking about how technology could release citizens from stress.
A search for the new
If Thailand’s next government is to embrace such ideas it will need measures that allow policy-makers to distinguish between technologies that foster virtuous behaviour and those that cause harm. The colloquia explored the notion that recent innovations in neuroscience catalysed by the Dalai Lama could be the source of those measures.
Using the latest brain imaging technologies such as fMRI, the University of Wisconsin Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience has been measuring the “happy brains” of adept meditators, creating the visual basis for measurable comparisons with normal citizens who lack mind training. A plan of the project’s organisers is to bring neuroscience researchers to Thailand in an effort to help public policy makers and designers use such measures to chart progress towards the happy state.
So far the Thai colloquia is just a discussion. “This sort of informal conversation is the best way for significant collaborative projects to emerge in Thailand. As the ideas catch on, momentum can grow quickly,” said Dr Suchada Kiranandana, president of Chulalongkorn University.
The next colloquium in the series, slated for November 30, will focus on education technologies that foster happiness. Next in line for consideration, early next year, are colloquia that consider computer games and a final session in the Spring will address the cause favoured by the Royal Family: rural development.
Will it work? Keep your fingers crossed.
Formerly a professor at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, Craig Warren Smith, PhD, is now senior advisor to the University of Washington Human Interface Technology Laboratory. Outside of academia, he has advised multinationals (Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Nokia, Oracle), philanthropic institutions, ministers of emerging markets, including Thailand, intergovernmental institutions and leading universities.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Database/08Aug2007_data21.php
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(จากคอลัมพ์ A Bout Politics หนังสือพิมพ์ Bangkok Post ฉบับวันที่ 11 ต.ค. 50 หน้า 16)
Instilling morality in politicians may be a mission impossible, even for hard-working Paiboon
Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham’s admission to hospital is proof, if it was needed, that he is a hard-working “old ginger”.
Mr Paiboon is one of the more senior ministers who burn the midnight oil, trying to clear the daunting backlog of work as the government’s term in office nears its final lap.
His collapse during a cabinet meeting this week was initially attributed to a combination of age and a lack of rest.
But it soon emerged the problem was, literally, close to the heart.
Mr Paiboon underwent a balloon angioplasty procedure at Ramathibodi hospital to clear a blockage in one of three coronary arteries which have narrowed over the years, restricting the supply of blood to his heart.
Sympathy poured in for Mr Paiboon who was thought to have over-exerted himself in office.
His commitment to the job, especially in handling social issues, won praise – even though social policies are among the government’s weaker points according to opinion polls.
Close associates, reporters and political observers were in agreement that Mr Paiboon had pushed himself a little too hard in his campaign to instill a sense of morality and ethics in both young people and politicians.
Before his collapse, the deputy prime minister visited flood victims in the northern provinces and juggled his time between official engagements.
On the side, his morality campaign was being tested as what promises to be yet another stressful mission arrived on his desk.
Mr Paiboon set up a fact-finding committee to probe a top official at the Social Development and Human Security Ministry accused of graft and adulterous affairs with young and middle-aged female officials.
The man’s sexual predations were said to have influenced the promotion of certain female officials and to be linked to alleged mis-spending of a ministry fund.
The inquiry is believed to relate to alleged squandering of cash donated for humanitarian causes and projects to help the poor.
Mr Paiboon enlisted help from non-partisan high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Justice, led by justice permanent secretary Jarun Pukditanakul.
The investigation must be concluded within a month, and expectations at the ministry are high.
Mr Paiboon is not likely to be lenient in handling such transgressions under his ministry’s roof.
He has the image of a socially respected, almost monkish, figure who exudes a distinguished charisma.
With such a “revered monk” working in the secular world, it will be interesting to see what steps Mr Paiboon takes next to root out morally corrupt officials. People have grown all too accustomed to politicians in power sitting on problems and turning a blind eye to the actions of unscrupulous but influential civil servants.
Rumour has it that the tremendous pressure has been weighing down Mr Paiboon. However, that is not what caused him to faint.
It may well be the thought that improving the moral standards of politicians in general is “mission impossible” that did the most damage to his heart.
Preaching morality and ethics is one thing, practising it is another. And if this is indeed the issue which landed Mr Paiboon in hospital, he could be absent from work for a long while.
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