Sustainable Development and the Sufficiency Economy: Role of Science and Technology

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Sustainable Development and the Sufficiency
EconomyRole of Science and Technology
Dr. Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon Director
General Pollution Control Department Ministry of
Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand
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SE
SD
ST
Sustainable Development
Sufficiency Economy
Science and Technology
SD
SE
ST
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Sustainable Development (SD)

• Sustainable development is development that
  meets the needs of the present without
  compromising the ability of future generations to
  meet their own needs.
• -World Commission on Environment and
  Development Report, 1987

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SD as an Approach

• SD is an approach it is not a discipline.
  Indeed, SD covers multiplicity of disciplines.
• SD is not one sector it cuts across sectors,
  namely Economic, Environmental and Social/Cultural

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SD in a Holistic View

• SD views development in a holistic perspective
  integrating natural and social sciences,
  technology, planning, management and allied
  fields
• Hence, the role of Science and Technology (ST)
  is essential in Education for Sustainable
  Development (ESD)

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ST in Formal Education

• ST subjects should use examples and
  demonstrations using SD to illustrate theories.
  This applies to all levels of the formal
  education sector primary, secondary and tertiary

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ST in Non - Formal Education

• The Non-formal Education institutions should rely
  on ST to impress upon society the importance of
  SD. Impartation of SD issues can be more
  convincing if the language of science and the
  mechanics of technology are used.

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Research in ST

• Traditional knowledge is insufficient to advance
  the SD concept. Institutions of higher education,
  as well as dedicated research institutions, must
  invest in new research which put SD as the core
  paradigm. This applies to all disciplines of
  science, engineering and allied fields (planning
  and management)

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The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)

• His Majesty, the King of Thailand developed and
  introduced SEP in all Royal Projects in Thailand
  (Since 1974)
• SEP is a tool for achieving SD, especially in
  poor rural areas.

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New Theory and the SEP

• SEP approaches SD utilizing systems approach,
  scientific thinking and appropriate technology
• Applies the concept of Living in balance with
  nature

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Sufficiency Economy Philosophy
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Procedure of the New Theory
1st phase Implementation / Production
Advising/ Experimenting
Getting results
Implementing
Support from outside
2nd phase Expansion / Marketing
Joining forces
Better living conditions
Production / Marketing
Support from outside
3rd phase Advancement / Processing /
Adding Value
Cooperation/ Capital
Sustainable development
Quality of life
Support from outside
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Benefits of the New Theory
Steady and higher income
Farmers and their children have better
education opportunities
Better education
Agriculture in accordance with the New Theory
Advice, consultations Farmer-farmer Offical-
farmer
Knowledge and learning on the job
Monitoring of news and information on farming
practices
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Farm Families and Communities Kept Intact and
Content
Job available the whole year round
Work in the locality
Family members joining activities, spending more
time together, taking good care of children and
the elderly
Diverse activities, perennial trees, fruit,
vegetables, livestock
More frequent harvests
Steady and higher income
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Strengthened Community
Members of working age are kept in the locality
Working force is available for community work and
other communal work in the rice fields and
plantations
Diverse activities, perennial trees, fruit
trees, vegetables, livestock
Steady incomes Higher incomes Equitable distributi
on of income
Strengthened community
Different harvest times
Increased and diverse production
Organizing as groups Or cooperatives for
production, marketing, welfare
Sufficient food
Resources in the rice fields are better utilized
in turn
Dependence on outside sources is reduced
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Sustainable Development and Environment
The economy is improved, with self-sufficiency
and effective use of resources
Agriculture in accordance with the New Theory
Strengthened society Good participation unity
Sustainable development
The environment
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Learn Wisely Strategies

• 3.Using Knowledge Wisely
• Selecting, adapting, and integrating
• the knowledge in line with problems
• and needs based on benefits to the
• discipline, society, and environment

• 2.Seeking Knowledge
• with Morality
• Learning from
• others ideas
• Learning through
• contemplation
• Learning through
• practices, with
• responsibility towards
• lives, society,
• and the environment

• 4.Keeping Abreast of Changes
• Reviewing the available information
• Inspecting ones knowledge by oneself
• and by outside review
• Improving and developing constantly

Learner
1.Determination with Faith - Interest,
awareness, appreciation - Setting the goal of
learning
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Analysis of the Process of the Education
Philosophy of His Majesty the King Rama IX
People face problems
His Majesty the King systematically collects
information
His Majesty plans for the solving of problems
If Problems occur
H.M. decides on the experiments for the plans
H.M. investigates

• H.M. advises on the
• pilot project
• H.M. informs
• supervising agencies

No more problems
H.M. disseminates results of experiments to
related agencies
H.M. Achieves the solving of peoples problem
H.M. follows up Closely and reevaluates the
operation
The project is proposed as a royally initiated
project
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Thank you