Representatives from the Philippines, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Bangladesh, Kyrgyz Republic and Chile are participating in 10 days long training course titled “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP): Thailand’s Path towards Sustainable Development” from 12 to 23 February 2018. The training course is co-organised by Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) with an aim to share knowledge about community development based on the application of SEP for sustainability. The participants are scheduled to also visit the Development Project on Sufficiency Economy Village for Sustainable Development on Road No. 48 (Koh Kong – Sri Amble) in Koh Kong Province of Cambodia, among other SEP-based projects in Thailand.
• The SEP: Thailand’s Path towards Sustainable Development training course is a part of TICA’s Annual International Training Courses (AITC) under the SEP theme for 2018. TICA and NIDA jointly design this Training tailored for the international participants from the Philippines, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Bangladesh, Kyrgyz Republic and Chile whom their governments have agreed to implement development projects based on the application of SEP in their local context. Throughout the training, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has nominated their representatives from JICA Office in Bangkok to observe some sessions preparing for the commencement of SEP-based project to be implemented under trilateral cooperation between Thailand – Japan – developing countries in the African Region in the near future.
• On 12 February 2018, the international participants were briefed by Mrs. Suphatra Srimaitreephithak, Director-General of TICA, on the topic of SEP for SDGs Partnership to promote global partnership based on the application of SEP, as Thailand’s homegrown development approach, towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in partner countries, especially the participants’ countries.
• During 14-18 February 2018, the international participants will have a field visit to projects based on the application of SEP for sustainable development both in Thailand and Cambodia. Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Director-General of TICA, will lead the delegation comprising of the international participants, as well as representatives from the Asia-Pacific Regional Office of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), Thai youth with award-winning on Essay Writing about SEP and Sustainable Development organized by TICA in 2017 and officials from relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The study visit to SEP-based project in Koh Kong Province in Cambodia on 15 February 2018 marks the first time for TICA to lead a multi-stakeholder delegation to see first-hand experience on the tangible outcomes of the implementation of Development Project on Sufficiency Economy Village for Sustainable Development on Road No. 48 (Koh Kong – Sri Amble) in Koh Kong Province of Cambodia. The Project was implemented during 2007-2016 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Community Development Department and relevant agencies in Trat Province.
The conduct of SEP: Thailand’s Path towards Sustainable Development training course and the field visit to SEP-based Projects in Thailand and Cambodia for the international representatives and rompartners f relevant agencies are a part of TICA’s effort to promote the Royal Thai Government’s SEP for SDGs Partnership initiative. In light of SDGs attainment in particular of its target 17.16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through TICA has been enhancing global partnership to share knowledge on SEP and its application, as a legacy of His Majesty King Rama XI, to support the achievement of SDGs in developing countries ensuring that no one will be left behind.