Veranstaltungsberichte
Climate change has become a major, worldwide issue, including for all levels of government in Thailand; however some local governments and their residents, including those in the Northeastern area of the country still lack of proper law and regulations to manage the crisis. In addition, awareness of public and local officials on the severity of this issue and their roles in the circumstance is also crucial. Many daily activities of people in the area do not conform to the green economy, energy security, or waste- zero campaign. Therefore, the seminar on “Local Laws/Ordinances Regarding Climate Change Mitigation” has provided an array of useful information on climate change issues for its attendees and stressed the importance of political participation of all tiers of society in order to change the way we live.
Michael Winzer, representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Thailand opened the event together with Dr. Denpong Soodphakdee, the Vice President for Academic and Information Technology of Khon Kaen University, Prof. Thawalwong Ratanasiri, MD., the Vice President for International Relation and Cooperation Strategy Affairs and Dr. Apirat Petchsiri, Director of Centre of ASEAN Studies. They all stressed the importance of climate change today and in the future, as well as the significance of this new collaboration. Michael Winzer has also described the importance of sustainable energy policies, looking back at the recent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
In the subsequent lectures, knowledgeable guest speakers provided participants with useful information on the subject of climate change in the region as well as legal framework. Dr. Somsak Thanurat, Dean of Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University, talked about the role of authorities in reducing the problem of climate change through legal matters. Mr. Chareonluk Petchpradap, Editor of Essan Bizweek, proposed regulations to encourage community to help reduce existing and forthcoming issues. After the academic/legal session, local community leaders and heads of villages presented their own models and implementations, ranging from waste management to alternative energy sources. The seminar was concluded by group discussions that produced many valuable ideas and proposals and provided the framework for future projects and provisions for this region and beyond.
With more than 200 participants, coming from local government officials, heads of villages, community leaders, students, academics, and other interested groups, the event not only raised awareness on climate change issues among participants, provided many with significant, concrete examples but also encouraged political discussion on new local, regional, and national green economy and energy security policies. In addition, it stressed the importance of participation of all tiers of society in this process, especially during such an important, politically transitional time in Thailand.