Sustainable Development and the Sufficiency Economy: Role of Science and Technology Dr. Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon Director General Pollution Control

Sustainable Development Sustainable Development and the Sufficiency Economy:and the Sufficiency Economy:

Role of Science and TechnologyRole of Science and Technology

Dr. Monthip Sriratana TabucanonDirector General

Pollution Control DepartmentMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment,

Thailand

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMYSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY

Sustainable Development

SufficiencyEconomy

Science andTechnology


Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development (SD)(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


SD as an ApproachSD 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


SD in a Holistic ViewSD in a Holistic ViewSD views development in a holistic perspective

integrating natural and social sciences, technology, planning, management and allied fields

Hence, the role of Science and Technology (S&T) is essential in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)


• S&T 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

S&T in Formal EducationS&T in Formal Education


• The Non-formal Education institutions should rely on S&T 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.

S&T in Non - Formal EducationS&T in Non - Formal Education


• 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)

Research in S&TResearch in S&T


• 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.

The Sufficiency Economy The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)Philosophy (SEP)


• SEP approaches SD utilizing systems approach, scientific thinking and appropriate technology

• Applies the concept of “Living in balance with nature”

New Theory and the SEPNew Theory and the SEP


Sufficiency Economy PhilosophySufficiency Economy Philosophy

Middle Path

Moderation

Reasonableness

Resiliency

Knowledge Morality

BalanceSecurity

Sustainability


Procedure of the New TheoryProcedure of the New Theory 1st phase: Implementation / Production

Advising/Experimenting

Advising/Experimenting ImplementingImplementing Getting

results

Gettingresults

2nd phase: Expansion / Marketing

Better living conditions

Better living conditions Production / MarketingProduction / Marketing Joining

forces

Joiningforces

Supportfromoutside

3rd phase: Advancement / Processing / Adding Value

Cooperation/ Capital

Cooperation/ Capital Quality of lifeQuality of life Sustainable

development

Sustainable development

Supportfromoutside

Supportfromoutside


Benefits of the New TheoryBenefits of the New Theory

Agriculture in accordance with the New Theory

Agriculture in accordance with the New Theory

Steady and higher incomeSteady and higher income

Advice, consultations: Farmer-farmer Offical- farmer

Advice, consultations: Farmer-farmer Offical- farmer

Monitoring of news and information on farming practices

Monitoring of news and information on farming practices

Farmers and their children have better education opportunities

Farmers and their children have better education opportunities

Knowledge and learning on the job

Knowledge and learning on the job

Better education

Better education


Farm Families and Communities Kept Intact Farm Families and Communities Kept Intact and Contentand Content

More frequent harvestsMore frequent harvests

Diverse activities,perennial trees,fruit, vegetables,livestock

Diverse activities,perennial trees,fruit, vegetables,livestock

Job available the whole year round

Job available the whole year round Work in the localityWork in the locality

Family members joining activities, spending more time together, taking good care of children and the elderly

Family members joining activities, spending more time together, taking good care of children and the elderly

Steady and higher incomeSteady and higher income


Strengthened CommunityStrengthened Community

Diverse activities,perennial trees,fruit trees,vegetables,livestock

Diverse activities,perennial trees,fruit trees,vegetables,livestock

Members ofworking ageare kept in the locality

Members ofworking ageare kept in the locality

Different harvesttimes

Different harvesttimes

Increased and diverseproduction

Increased and diverseproduction

Resources in the rice fields are better utilized in turn

Resources in the rice fields are better utilized in turn

Working force is available for community workand other communal work in the rice fields and plantations

Working force is available for community workand other communal work in the rice fields and plantations

Steady incomesHigher incomesEquitabledistributionof income

Steady incomesHigher incomesEquitabledistributionof income

Sufficientfood

Sufficientfood

Strengthenedcommunity

Strengthenedcommunity

Organizing as groupsOr cooperatives for production, marketing, welfare

Organizing as groupsOr cooperatives for production, marketing, welfare

Dependence on outside sources is reduced

Dependence on outside sources is reduced


Sustainable Development and EnvironmentSustainable Development and Environment

Agriculture inaccordancewith the NewTheory

Agriculture inaccordancewith the NewTheory

The economy is improved, with self-sufficiency and effective use of resources

The economy is improved, with self-sufficiency and effective use of resources

Strengthened society Good participation unity

Strengthened society Good participation unity

The environmentThe environment

Sustainable developmentSustainable development


Learn Wisely StrategiesLearn Wisely Strategies

1.Determination with Faith

- Interest, awareness, appreciation - Setting the goal of learning

1.Determination with Faith

- Interest, awareness, appreciation - Setting the goal of learning

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

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

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

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

4.Keeping Abreast of Changes-Reviewing the available information-Inspecting one’s knowledge by oneself and by outside review-Improving and developing constantly

4.Keeping Abreast of Changes-Reviewing the available information-Inspecting one’s knowledge by oneself and by outside review-Improving and developing constantly

LearnerLearner


Analysis of the Process of the Education Philosophy Analysis of the Process of the Education Philosophy of His Majesty the King Rama IXof His Majesty the King Rama IX

People face problems

People face problems

His Majesty the King systematically collects information

His Majesty the King systematically collects information

IfProblemsoccur

IfProblemsoccur

H.M.investigates

H.M.investigates

No moreproblems

No moreproblems

H.M.Achievesthe solvingof people’s problem

H.M.Achievesthe solvingof people’s problem

H.M. follows upClosely and reevaluates the operation

H.M. follows upClosely and reevaluates the operation

His Majesty plans for the solving of problems

His Majesty plans for the solving of problems

H.M. decides on the experiments for the plans

H.M. decides on the experiments for the plans

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

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

H.M. disseminates results of experiments to related agencies

H.M. disseminates results of experiments to related agencies

The project is proposed as a royally initiated project

The project is proposed as a royally initiated project


Thank you

Documents

Sustainable Development and the Sufficiency Economy: Role of Science and Technology Dr. Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon Director General Pollution Control