The 5th ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme ‘Building transformational leadership towards the Sustainable Development Goals’ was held on 29 June – 5 July, 2017, at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. It was jointly conducted by experts from UNU-IAS, academic staff of Chulalongkorn University: Faculty of Science, HSM and SEA START RC, with cooperation from local communities and experts. Funding was provided by Chulalongkorn University, HSM and allies, and UNU-IAS with funds from the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MoEJ) through ProSPER.Net Secretariat.
The Programme provided participants with the necessary inter-disciplinary skills to lead sustainable development initiatives appropriate to local, regional or global contexts. Participants went through a unique experience during the Programme with a special focus on collaborative efforts, leveraging networks and involving multiple stakeholders. The Leadership Programme was conducted based on five case studies relating to the 5Ps in Bangkok and nearby locations in Thailand. These cases included ongoing challenges in the local communities which provide a platform for participants to understand the dynamics of local leadership within each area and to identify possible paths towards sustainable development. Participants were expected to engage in the discussions with multi-stakeholders, to assess the issues and to devise a vision towards sustainable development in a group-based scenario. For each case study, the assigned group presented their findings and wrote a report paper to deliver their visions.
In commemoration of the centennial anniversary of its founding, Chulalongkorn University together with the Faculty of Science hosted the 2017 ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme . The Programme was jointly organized with ProSPER.Net, SEA START RC – the Southeast Asia Regional Center of START – the Global Change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training, and the Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM). SEA START RC is a regional center focusing on advancing knowledge generation and dissemination that informs policy and decision-making in and across climate-sensitive sectors of the developing world. The Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), operates as a consortium of renowned universities in Thailand and from overseas under the supervision of the Science and Technology Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office (PERDO), Office of the Higher Education Commission. Activities of HSM, through synergistic collaborations with industries, government offices, overseas universities and international organizations, encompass research, human resource development programs and academic consultation.
A total of 21 participants gathered for the programme, with ProSPER.Net supporting participants from around the region (Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). The six day intensive programme showcased how to incorporate the five Ps of sustainability ‘People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership’ into leadership challenges related to sustainable development.
The idea behind the programme was to take lessons learned about leadership challenges in sustainable development from local experts in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, and to analyse how similar challenges can be addressed within their own organizations and communities. Examples included how companies have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and plastic waste within the supply chain and production of their goods, how a mayor for a small community has put sustainable development at the heart of his municipality’s development plans, and how conflict is managed between local communities, national government, and the private sector during infrastructure development for sea ports. While each of these challenges was unique, participants analysed how similar situations have or would play out within the context of their own institutions and communities. By the end of the programme, participants had cemented a strong bond with each other, the hosts and experts, with many looking for ways to collaborate in the future.
Programme
To view and print the programme as pdf, click here.
Outcomes
Presentations Day 1
Introduction to Sustainability and Leadership, Mario Tabucanon, UNU-IAS here
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Implementation, Philip Vaughter, UNU-IAS here
Population Lifespan and Sustainability, Vipan Prachuabmoh, Chulalongkorn University – not available
Multidisciplinary Approach to Aging Society, Nunghatai Rangponsumrit, Chulalongkorn University here
Health and Care in Aging Society: Experience from Thailand, Jiraporn Kespichayawattana, Chulalongkorn University here
Transformation towards sustainability in Chulalongkorn University, Korb Limsuwan, Chulalongkorn University here
Sufficiency Economy and Business Sustainability, Sirikul Laukaikul, BrandBeing Consultant Co. Ltd. – not available
Presentations Day 2
Promotion of Business Sustainability in Thailand and ASEAN, Pensri Suteerasarn, Thai Listed Companies Association (TLCA) here
Business Sustainability Practices in Thailand, Krisada Ruangchotevit, SCG and Sangob Auloong, InterfaceFlor here
Leadership Training, UNU-IAS here
Leadership and ESD, Philip Vaughter, UNU-IAS here
Overview of CSR in ASEAN and the Role of the ASEAN CSR Network here
Presentations Day 3
Case study: Ao Udom Coastal Development Zone
Social Responsibility and Conflict Management, Somnuck Jongmeewasin, Network of Eastern Friends: Agenda of Eastern Changes (NEF:AEC) here
Case Study: Eastern Seaboard Development and its Impacts on Communities in Lamchabang City, Chonburi, Thailand, Somnuck Jongmeewasin here
Excursion: Exploring the Ao Udom Coastal Development Zone, Somyos Chiewkul, Municipal Council, Laemchabang – no presentation
Case study: Panas Nikom Environmentally Sustainable City (an active ASEAN cooperation) Sustainable Development through Local Partnership / Multiple Scales of Sustainability Governance – Wijai Amaralikit, Mayor of Panas Nikom Municipality and Harin Sachdev, Mahidol University here
Exploring Panas Nikom Municipality here
Presentations Day 4
Land-Water Security, Pongsak Suttinon, Chulalongkorn University here
Climate Change Adaptation, Supakorn Chinvanno, SEA START RC here
Excursion and visit; Exploring Baan Rangsi Roof Garden, Jaruwit and Kunnudhapat Punyahotra, Founders of Baan Rangsi Nursery House – no presentation
Group Presentations Day 5
Leadership Activities I: Small Group Work here
Leadership Activities II: Small Group Work here
Reflection Papers
The Otherness: the Disconnect Between Researchers and the SDGs Nooshin Torabi, RMIT University – here
What was the situation and why am I here? Orawan Klanbut, Interface Thailand – here
Leadership Reflections, Dr Subarna Sivapalan Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia – here
Leadership Reflections, Thuangsit Denpetkul – here
Report by Somporn Kamolsiripichaiporn here
Day 6 – Asia Research Intelligence Conference on ‘Universities and the Power of Data’
At the 4th Annual Asia Research Intelligence Conference on ‘Universities and the Power of Data’ Science for a Sustainable Society, ProSPER.Net delivered a session on ‘International Collaboration: Community-based Research in the Context of the SDGs’. The conference, co-organized by ProSPER.Net member Chulalongkorn University and Elsevier, on 5-6 July 2017 in Bangkok, looked at solutions and best practices to optimize research strategies. The emphasis was on sustainability, diversity, and the power of data in research.
Take a peek below. More photos have been uploaded on facebook.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following people for their photo contributions:
Weerapong Unawong (Joe), Suchanya Apithanyasai (Yam), Nawatprit Kit-udom (Mat), Titiwut Pongpanich, and Mr. Anan.