Sustainable Development
and the Sufficiency Economy:
Role of Science and Technology
Dr. Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon
Director General
Pollution Control Department
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,
Thailand
Sustainable
Development
Sufficiency
Economy
Science and
Technology
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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
(S&T) is essential in Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD)
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
S&T in Formal Education
• 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
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
S&T in Non - 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.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Research in S&T
• 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)
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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”
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Sufficiency Economy Philosophy
Middle Path
Moderation
Reasonable
ness
Knowledge
Resiliency
Morality
Balance
Security
Sustainability
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Procedure of the New Theory
1st phase: Implementation / Production
Advising/
Experimenting
Getting
results
Implementing
Support
from
outside
2nd phase: Expansion / Marketing
Better living
conditions
Production / Marketing
Joining
forces
Support
from
outside
3rd phase: Advancement / Processing /
Adding Value
Cooperation/
Capital
Quality of life
Sustainable
development
Support
from
outside
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Benefits of the New Theory
Steady and higher income
Agriculture in
accordance
with
the New Theory
Advice, consultations:
Farmer-farmer
Offical- farmer
Farmers and
their children
have better
education
opportunities
Better
education
Knowledge and
learning on the job
Monitoring of news
and information on
farming practices
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Farm Families and Communities Kept Intact
and Content
Job available the
whole year round
Work in the locality
Diverse activities,
perennial trees,
fruit, vegetables,
livestock
Family members joining activities,
spending more time together,
taking good care of children and
the elderly
More frequent harvests
Steady and higher income
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Strengthened Community
Diverse activities,
perennial trees,
fruit trees,
vegetables,
livestock
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
Different
harvest
times
Steady incomes
Higher incomes
Equitable
distribution
of income
Increased
and
diverse
production
Sufficient
food
Strengthened
community
Organizing as groups
Or cooperatives for
production, marketing,
welfare
Resources in
the rice fields
Dependence on outside sources
are better
is reduced
utilized in turn
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
Sustainable Development and Environment
The economy is improved,
with self-sufficiency
and effective use of
resources
Agriculture in
accordance
with the New
Theory
Sustainable development
Strengthened
society
Good participation
unity
The environment
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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
Learner
4.Keeping Abreast of
Changes
-Reviewing the
available information
-Inspecting one’s
knowledge by oneself
and by outside review
-Improving and
developing constantly
1.Determination with Faith
- Interest, awareness, appreciation
- Setting the goal of learning
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
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
No more
problems
H.M.
Achieves
the solving
of people’s
problem
-H.M. advises on the
pilot project
-H.M. informs
supervising agencies
H.M. disseminates results of
experiments to related
agencies
H.M. follows up
Closely and
The project is
reevaluates the
proposed as a
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
&
THE
SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY
operation
royally initiated project
Thank you
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY