Grassroots Economic Development (GED) following Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)

Background and Rational

There has been a recent shift in economic development paradigms from growth-based to community-based development as a mechanism to achieve sustainable development.  Experiences have shown that community-based development helps empowering communities and strengthening capabilities of local citizens to undertake self-initiated development activities in respond to their needs. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy formulated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand is a means towards community empowerment and strengthening communities, enhancing local economic prosperity. 

The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy “stressed the middle path as an overriding principle for appropriate conduct by the populace at all levels”. “Sufficiency” means moderation, reasonableness, and the need of self-immunity for sufficient protection from impact arising from internal and external changes. To achieve this, an application of knowledge with due consideration and prudence is essential. At the same time, it is essential to strengthen the moral fibre of the nation so that everyone adheres to the principles of honesty and integrity.  In addition, a way of life based on patience, perseverance, diligence, wisdom and prudence is indispensable to create balance and be able to cope with adverse shocks. The principles of SEP can be applied to all levels i.e. individuals, communities, organizations and nations/global.  Numbers of case studies in Thailand have shown a practical of SEP applications as guides of individuals improve quality of life, of communities to develop local productive capabilities and market networks, and of small enterprises and organizations to manage efficiently.  Principles of SEP can be applied to developing countries around the world at all level.  Particularly, they can be applied for community development as SEP is fundamental to empowerment and building resilience.  The training course “Grassroots Economic Development followed Sufficiency Economy Philosophy” provides knowledge of SEP linking to economic concepts/theories.  In the training course, number of case studies will be illustrated to explain what SEP means in practice.  In addition, the training course will provide the tools for monitoring and evaluation in understanding the success and challenges of projects following SEP.

Duration:                                   6 weeks (during June 24^th – August 2^nd, 2013)

Closing Date for Application:         March 15, 2013

Number of Participants:              17 persons

Invited Countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, China, CARICOM Member Countries, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, FEALAC Member Countries, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, OAS Member Countries, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, PIF Member Countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Cook Island, Solomon Island, Marshall Island, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu), Republic of Seychelles, Senegal, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Vietnam, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Thailand

Qualification:

All applicants must meet the minimum requirements listed below in order to be eligible to apply for this training programme

-      between 30 -  55 years old

-      have English proficiency tests

-      have a recommendation from superior

-      have minimum 5 years working experience

-      preferable for those who working in rural development area

Objectives

The programme is designed to:

1.      provide participants with Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and related economic theories and concepts

2.      explain participants the applications of SEP (individuals, SMEs, communities, organizations and macro policy implication)

3.      share experiences among countries on grass-root rural development

4.      provide participants in exploring with multiple case studies following SEP

5.      train participants to utilize relevant tools for monitoring and evaluation of projects following his Majesty King’s concept

Course Contents

            1. Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)

1.1 Introduction to SEP

1.2 Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and related concepts

1.3 Applications of SEP

-  Application of SEP on social economic development planning

-  New agricultural theory

-  Small enterprises

-  Community

-  Organization

Module 2:  Relevant Economic Theories and Concepts to SEP

2.1 Economic theories/concepts of resource constraints

2.2 Economic theories/concepts of optimizations

2.3 Economic theories/concepts of risk management

2.4 Innovation

2.5 Good governance

Module 3:  SEP in Grassroots Economic Development (GED): opportunities and constraints

3.1 Introduction to grassroots economic development

3.2 Poverty analysis and poverty reduction strategies (poverty measures, income distribution, strategies following SEP to attack poverty)

3.3 The role of rural financial institutions with the application of SEP in grassroots economic development (micro finance, saving and credit union and cooperatives)

Module 4:  Practices of SEP

4.1 Application in agriculture

4.2 Application for the business sectors

4.3 Application for the government in economic management and development strategies

Module 5:  Evaluation tools for projects following SEP

5.1 Project appraisal (financial and economic analysis)

5.2 Market potential analysis

5.3 Evaluation frameworks

Module 6:  Practical experience of monitoring and evaluation of projects following His Majesty the King’s initiatives (Field case studies).

Module 7: Presentation of case studies and country reports

2. Practices

Application of appropriate technology related to SEP (Innovation): utilization of innovation products (for example rice or cassava flour to produce regular food or bakery)

3. Study Trips/ Field Trips

-       duration: 1 week field trip from July 15^th – 20^th, 2013

-       place: Korat Province

-     objective of the field trip is to have a lesson learn from various case studies     following His Majesty the King’s initiatives

4. Advance Assignments

1) Country Report

Part 1: Background of your country

          - Geography

          - People

          - Economy (You may have to change some of the following)

                   A. GNP:
                   B. Per capita GNP: (Optional)
                   C. Natural resources:
                   D. Agriculture; Products, and Industry:

                   E. Trade; Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Tourism:

                   F. Imports:
                   G. Exports:

                      - Policy (national/rural policy) for grassroot economic development

Part 2: Application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to the country (after pasting 4 weeks of training)

                      Each participant is required to prepare and submit a country report on how to apply the SEP to your country.  The full report including abstract should be approximately 10-15 pages.  The outline is as follows;

1. Economic and social development in your country

2. State the problems of your country 

Please choose one of the following problems

- Individual/household problems

- Community problems

- Organization problems

- National problems

3.  What is the future project that applied the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to solve the chosen problem.

                             - Project Title

                             - Project Objectives

                             - Project activities

                             - Practical of the SEP of the project

                             - Challenges

2) Reading Assignment

          Book: Inside Thailand Review: Sufficiency Economy

http://thailand.prd.go.th/ebook/review/content.php?chapterID=33

3) Project Assignment

-     group case study report and presentation (last week of the programme)

-     individual country report presentation (last week of the programme)

Venue

Building 5 (Room 5607) and Building 3 (Room 3209), Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University, 50 Phaholyothin Rd. Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 THAILAND

Expected Results

-      ability to apply SEP and monitoring and evaluation tools for implementing rural development projects

-      ability to work under international groupings

-      crate networking among participants

Evaluation

-      class participation

-      case studies and country report

-      training attendance (attend 80% of the training programme)

Institution

The course will be conducted by:

Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University,

50 Phaholyothin Rd. Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 THAILAND

Contact person:

Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana

Tel. (66-2)579-9579 Ext. 5602

E-mail address: [email protected]

Collaborative Organizations

Unit of Agricultural Strategy Research (UASR), Center for Applied Economic Research (CAER), Kasetsart University,

50 Phaholyothin Rd. Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 THAILAND

Contact persons:

Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana and Sukanya Khongtong

Tel. (66-2)561-5037 Ext. 11

E-mail address: [email protected]; [email protected]