WORKSHOP: Cultivating Connections: Just Futures Mekong Fellows at the 'Young Seed for the Future' Festival

By Yu Yin, Fellowship Coordinator, Center for Social Development Studies CSDS

As the global community seeks solutions to mitigate climate change and achieve food security, events that emphasize sustainability and collaboration are more vital than ever. One such inspiring gathering was the 25th "Young Seed for the Future" Festival, held from January 23 to 25, 2025, in Yasothon Province, Thailand. This festival provided a unique opportunity for the five Just Futures Mekong Fellows—a group of passionate changemakers from China exploring civil society and sustainability across the Mekong region—to engage with sustainable agricultural practices, build meaningful connections, and gain insights from grassroots initiatives. This marked their first activity following their welcome orientation. 

Photo: Just Future Mekong Fellows with Mr. Charin Thongsuk, Governor of Yasothon Province. Credit: Yu Yin 

A Festival with Purpose 
Organized by the Alternative Agriculture Network, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, and Bio-Thai, the Seed Festival is more than an annual event. It is a celebration of seeds, local knowledge, genetic resources, and food sovereignty — the cornerstones of sustainable agriculture and food security. 

This year’s festival was particularly significant, expanding its regional reach to include participants from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand, along with the Just Futures Mekong Fellows from China. Under the theme "Young Seed for the Future," the event emphasized the importance of regional and intergenerational collaboration in agriculture. It inspired young leaders, farmers, and agricultural communities to build resilient food systems in response to climate change and other pressing challenges. 

The festival opened with heartfelt addresses from Mr. Charin Thongsuk, Governor of Yasothon Province, and Boonsong Matkhao, Director of the Northeastern Alternative Agriculture Network. Their speeches underscored the festival’s mission: to promote sustainable agricultural practices, secure and diversify seeds, and foster meaningful regional connections. 

Immersive Experiences for the Fellows 
The three-day festival offered the Fellows a wealth of hands-on experiences that went beyond traditional learning. Through engaging activities, they explored the interplay between traditional agricultural knowledge, innovation, and sustainability. Highlights included: 

• Knowledge Sharing Sessions: Expert farmers led discussions on climate-resilient rice seed cultivation, innovative agricultural practices, community-based genetic resource management, and strategies for protecting local plant varieties. 

• Food and Vegetable Tasting: Participants sampled locally grown teas, fruits, liquors, tomatoes, and rice, showcasing the flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits of organic produce. 

• Seed Swap: Farmers exchanged over 100 varieties of vegetable, fruit, and rice seeds, with fresh produce like pumpkins and melons shared during the event. 

• Farmers’ Market: Featuring over 60 vendors, the market highlighted local agricultural heritage with fresh produce, coffee, herbal goods, and crafts, offering Fellows a chance to support small-scale farmers and learn about sustainable farming innovations. 

These activities allowed the Fellows to witness firsthand how farmers address climate adaptation through seed preservation and innovative farming practices. They also gained a deeper understanding of the critical role NGOs and community networks play in supporting and connecting rural communities, fostering knowledge exchange, and driving behavior change. 

Photo: Seed Swap at the Seed Festival, Credit: Yu Yin

Photos: Farmers’ Market at the Seed Festival, Credit: Yu Yin

The Power for Change 
The Fellows had the chance to speak with the festival’s lead organizer, who shared the story of its origins 25 years ago. The festival was born out of two major challenges: 

1. The Green Revolution: In the 1980s, the government promoted hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides as symbols of modernization. Initially, farmers resisted, but government propaganda promising higher yields and profits, coupled with programs that exchanged traditional seeds for hybrids, led to widespread adoption. Over time, this shift reduced seed diversity. 

1. Modern Rice Mills: The introduction of modern rice mills, which only accepted rice of specific sizes, further discouraged the cultivation of diverse rice varieties. 

These changes severely impacted seed diversity, but the consequences soon became apparent. Farmers faced rising debt and health issues, prompting rural development NGOs and local communities to analyze the root causes. They recognized the importance of seed diversity and traditional farming techniques in ensuring sustainable agriculture. This realization sparked the creation of the Seed Festival as a platform to advocate seed sovereignty and promote diverse seed varieties essential for climate resilience. 

The urgency of seed sovereignty grew even stronger when free trade agreements and intellectual property rights began to affect Thailand’s iconic Jasmine rice. The festival has since become a powerful movement to reclaim control over seeds, protect traditional farming practices, and empower farmers to preserve their agricultural heritage. 

Photo: Fellows with leaders from the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation. Credit: Yu Yin. 

Connecting Across Borders 
One of the festival’s achievements was its ability to foster regional connections. The Just Future Mekong Fellows joined farmers, researchers, and civil society leaders from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and beyond to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and build relationships. This cross-border collaboration, driven by shared challenges and aspirations, exemplifies the cooperation needed to address regional food security and climate resilience collectively. 

Through dialogues with local farmers, the Fellows gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving traditional knowledge while embracing innovation. At the heart of these conversations was the recognition that seeds—symbols of cooperation and adaptation—hold the potential to empower future generations and transform agricultural systems sustainably. 

Photo: Fellows having dinners with participants from Myanmar. Credit: Mai Xueying

Charting a Just and Sustainable Future 
For the Just Future Mekong Fellows, the "Young Seed for the Future" Festival was more than a learning experience — it was a source of inspiration and motivation. Their journey to Yasothon Province marked the beginning of their exploration of Thai civil society and sustainability, laying a strong foundation for understanding the strengths and struggles of Thai rural communities in navigating the challenges of the modern agricultural sector. 

As the Fellows continue their journey across Thailand and the Mekong region, the lessons from the festival will serve as a cornerstone for their future endeavors. Events like this highlight the power of collaboration, community, and culture in achieving sustainable solutions. 

In a world facing complex agricultural and environmental challenges, the message from Yasothon Province is clear: the seeds we plant today—both literally and metaphorically—will shape the future we cultivate tomorrow. By fostering regional cooperation and embracing grassroots knowledge, initiatives like the Seed Festival inspire hope for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future. 

WORKSHOP: Turning Knowledge into Action for Green Transformation: "First Workshop for Just Futures Mekong Fellowship Program"

By Yu Yin, Fellowship Coordinator, Center for Social Development Studies CSDS

In early February 2025, the Center for Social Development Studies organized a dynamic 5-day workshop for the Just Future Mekong Fellows and their research partners on research design. The goal of the workshop was to provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and strategies they need to create real, sustainable change through collaborative research and practical action. Over the course of a week, the workshop guided participants through key concepts in research design, sustainability practices, and real-world problem-solving, while also offering hands-on learning experiences, including visits to the programs partnering Thai host organizations. 

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Vice Dean for Research at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science. His words set the tone for the Just Futures Mekong Fellowship Program, an initiative designed to promote justice and sustainability in Thailand and across the Mekong Region. The fellowship itself spans six months, during which each fellow teams up with a research partner from a host organization to co-develop research projects that align with the organization’s goals. These projects aim to not only address pressing sustainability challenges but also deliver tangible contributions to policy and practice in the region. 

Three Days Interactive Classroom Workshops 

We had three days dedicated to an immersive classroom experience, where participants engaged in informative lectures from the program lead, Dr. Carl Middleton. Based on the lectures, fellows had dynamic discussions on their research topics and collaboratively worked with their research buddies to co-design the research. The sessions were structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of research design and its role in advancing sustainability transformation and work on their research design step by step.  

The workshop commenced with an introduction to its overarching goals: to foster co-produced knowledge, enhance research design skills, and bridge the gap between academic research and practical sustainability solutions. Participants were encouraged to think critically about how their work can contribute to systemic change. The objectives were to build the capacity of research fellows and research buddies to undertake design and co-produced research; produce a draft research design to be finalized post-workshop in collaboration with the partner organization and mentor; and cultivate a community of shared learning across the fellowship cohort and partner organizations. 

Co-Produced Knowledge for Sustainability Transformation 

A key theme of the workshop was the importance of co-production in research. Several different kinds of knowledge production were introduced, ranging from that of government policy makers to local communities, to explore design thinking and knowledge co-production for sustainability research, which begins with a shared understanding of research problem between actors and shared definition of research question and design, and includes context-based, pluralistic, goal-oriented and interactive elements.  

Fellows discussed their experiences in engaging stakeholders, communities, and practitioners, which can lead to more impactful and contextual outcomes. Case studies and group discussions highlighted the value of integrating diverse perspectives into the research process. 

The research framework was also introduced including the role of concepts in research, how to formulate research questions, how to search for relevant literature, the types of research tools available, and the meaning of analysis and triangulation. Each of these subjects was followed by time for fellows’ exercises, presentations, and feedback. The workshop also covered discussions on research ethics, theories of change, and its connection to research for development.  

The process not only enabled fellows and research partners to learn and develop the research design, but it also strengthened the collaboration between research fellows and their researcher buddies, instilling confidence for future research work. 

Organizational Visits 

The workshop dedicated two days to meeting with local host organizations involved in the fellowship program. There are five organizations in total: Local Alike, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, the Sustainable Development Foundation, Toward Organic Asia, and the Climate Finance Network Thailand. Although they all work on promoting sustainability in Thailand, their fields of operation and approaches are quite different, representing the diversity of civil society in Thailand. 

Local Alike   

Our first stop was Local Alike, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering local communities through sustainable community-based tourism. During the visit, they shared their approach to engaging with communities, which involves enhancing their understanding of sustainable practices, identifying unique tourism highlights, and building their capacity in hospitality and tourism management. The marketing team at Local Alike plays a crucial role in promoting these community-based tourism activities to both domestic and international audiences, ensuring wider visibility and participation. In addition to generating income through community tours, Local Alike also offers professional services to government agencies and consulting for companies interested in community-based tourism development. This multifaceted approach positions Local Alike as a model for sustainable tourism, demonstrating how it can empower communities, foster skill development, and create sustainable economic opportunities. By integrating community engagement, capacity-building, and strategic marketing, they not only deliver authentic tourism experiences but also contribute to the long-term resilience and growth of local economies. Their innovative methods underscore the transformative potential of community-driven tourism initiatives. 

The Future Just Mekong fellow aims to delve deeper into Local Alike’s community-based tourism model, analyzing their strategies for community engagement, capacity-building, and marketing to identify opportunities within the Chinese tourist market. The research will also explore how community-based tourism contributes to sustainable community development in the long term, examining both the short-term experiences and long-term lessons learned. By understanding these dynamics, the fellow seeks to uncover insights that can enhance the promotion of such tourism experiences to Chinese travelers while supporting the enduring empowerment and resilience of local communities in Thailand. 

Fellows visit with sdf

Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) 

Our next destination was the Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF), a Thai NGO established in 1996. The foundation operates from a spacious three-floor building equipped with offices, a library, meeting rooms, a tranquil garden, and accommodation for field staff. 

SDF is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities reliant on natural resources by securing their rights and promoting sustainable ecosystem management. Its mission is to reduce inequality and ensure fairness in natural resource and environmental governance. The foundation collaborates with local fishermen, farmers, forest dwellers, and upland communities to conserve and restore natural resources while advocating for inclusive development and good governance through grassroots policy influence. SDF’s Bangkok office focuses on sustainable coastal environment protection and social justice initiatives for fishing communities, while its Chiang Mai office works with forest dwellers and upland communities on their rights to natural resources and community-based forest protection. Additionally, SDF adopts a gender-sensitive approach, implementing projects that address gender equality and empower women. By raising awareness of gender roles and inequality, the foundation encourages women to actively participate in their communities, economic activities, and natural resource management, fostering a more equitable and sustainable future. 

The Future Just Mekong fellow will work with SDF staff to explore the housing rights of coastal communities, particularly those living on the water in estuary areas. Additionally, the fellow will study how these communities actively engage in advocating for their rights to protect natural resources and preserve their traditional fishing practices. The fellow will do her research as a short film documentary, which aims to highlight the challenges and resilience of these communities in safeguarding their livelihoods and cultural heritage. 

Sustainable Agriculture Foundation 

The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (Thailand) (SAF), established in 1998, is a pioneering organization dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture as a pathway to self-reliance for farmers and communities amidst the challenges of globalization. Located in the suburbs, SAF shares its office space with other organizations and is renowned for its expansive permaculture vegetable garden, which serves as a hub for innovative farming practices and agroecological principles aimed at enhancing food security and environmental resilience. Initially focused on pilot projects to demonstrate sustainable practices, SAF has evolved to emphasize participatory research, knowledge development, and the integration of sustainable agriculture into broader food systems and policies. The foundation actively advocates farmer empowerment, fosters collaboration with related organizations, and works to build institutional capacity in sustainable agriculture. It also engages diverse societal groups, including the younger generation, to cultivate awareness and acceptance of sustainable agricultural practices. By addressing critical issues such as climate change adaptation and strengthening farmer-consumer relationships, SAF strives to transition society towards sustainable agriculture and food safety, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future. 

The Future Just Mekong fellow will collaborate with SAF staff in Nong Tao Village, Mae Wang District, Chiangmai to understand the climate challenges and adaptation strategies of Karen coffee growers, while recognizing that ethnic communities in forest and mountain areas face a complex web of issues beyond climate impacts. These include land rights, preserving traditional ways of life, navigating livelihood choices, and grappling with the dilemmas posed by the current economic model and their deeply held beliefs. This fellowship aims to provide an opportunity to explore these interconnected issues within the context of SAF's broader mission to transition society towards sustainable agriculture and food safety. 

fellows visit with cfnt

Climate Finance Network Thailand 

The Climate Finance Network Thailand (CFNT) is a think tank committed to advancing sustainable financial practices and fostering a transition to a low-carbon economy, consistently championing the integration of climate considerations into financial decision-making. Established in 2024, CFNT is the youngest among the five host organizations but has quickly made its mark by assembling a team of dedicated professionals and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, from investors to regulators. Together, they aim to provide independent, professional and critical research and voice out to Thailand’s financial sector to be resilient and responsive to the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. 

Led by Ms. Sarinee Achavanuntakul, a prominent Thai public intellectual known for her work on sustainability, social justice, and the intersection of finance with climate change and biodiversity, CFNT has already produced impactful research. This includes studies on the risks of continued investment in Oil & Gas, critiques and recommendations for the Thailand Power Development Plan 2024, and the potential of crowdfunding for residential solar installations. 

Building on this foundation, the Future Just Mekong fellow will collaborate with the CFNT team to explore Chinese renewable energy investments in Thailand, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This research will examine whether and how such investments can contribute to an just energy transition, ensuring that the shift to renewable energy is equitable, inclusive, and aligned with broader climate goals. By integrating insights from CFNT’s expertise and networks, this collaboration aims to provide actionable recommendations for fostering sustainable and just energy transitions in Thailand and beyond.    

Towards Organic Asia 

Finally, the fellows visited Towards Organic Asia (TOA), a small yet impactful organization dedicated to fostering collaboration among organic agriculture cooperatives and networks across the Mekong region. Established in 2011, TOA envisions a future rooted in community spirit, economic sufficiency, and environmental stewardship, guided by the principles of organic agriculture and agroecology. To achieve this, TOA operates through four interconnected areas of focus: Training, which builds capacity and knowledge; Technology, which explores and adapts sustainable solutions; Advocacy, which champions policies supporting organic agriculture; and Youth, which engages and empowers the next generation of farmers and advocates. These areas represent concrete actions aimed at translating TOA’s vision into tangible outcomes. 

TOA brings together diverse stakeholders, fostering shared understanding and cooperation in agroecology and social wellbeing. Its ultimate goal is to construct sustainable food systems that generate positive environmental, social, economic, and political impacts. 

The Just Futures Mekong fellow will collaborate with TOA’s research buddy to focus on young farmers’ engagement in grassroots innovation. Together, they will study the challenges of seed sovereignty, as well as the adaptability and obstacles faced by young farmers working in organic agriculture, particularly in developing sustainable seeds. This work aims to strengthen regional seed sovereignty and agroecological systems, ensuring their resilience and long-term viability. This partnership aligns with TOA’s mission to empower communities and build resilient, sustainable food systems for the future, fostering environmental stewardship and economic sufficiency across the Mekong region. 

Conclusion 

Reflecting on the first workshop, we are reminded of the power of collaboration and the urgent need for transformative action to address the pressing challenges of our time. The insights gained from the workshop will undoubtedly inform and inspire the work of all fellows and research buddies as they continue their research work that contribute to a more sustainable and just future. All involved in the fellowship program hope to pave the way for a future that harmonizes environmental stewardship, economic sufficiency, and social wellbeing, ensuring a more equitable and thriving world for generations to come. 

EVENT [RESOURCES]: “Southeast Asia Vulnerable Deltas Workshop in Honolulu, Hawaii State, United States of America [17th- 20th March 2025]”

From March 17th to 20th 2025, CSDS and MAIDS- GRID joined the workshop in Honolulu, Hawaii at East- West Center. 

The team from CSDS (Orapan Pratomlek and Thiri), Graduate Students from MAIDS- GRID, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University (Peerawith Meebon and Thu Thu Aung) and Kevin Woods from the East West Center shared updates on the research project “The Political Ecology of Migration from Myanmar to Bangkok”, which is part of the collaborative project “Vulnerable Deltas in Southeast Asia: Climate Change, Water Pollution, and Socio- Economic Transformation”. 

The full four day workshop included mini-workshops on story-telling and infographics, a field visit to Hauʻula on the North Shore to learn about community resilience to climate challenges, and sharing project updates and planning.

For more information about the project, you can visit the CSDS website here.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: “Southeast Asia Vulnerable Deltas Workshop in Samarinda, Indonesia [4th- 7th December 2023]”

From December 4th to 7th 2023, CSDS and MAIDS- GRID joined the workshop in Samarinda, Indonesia.

Thiri from CSDS and Graduate Students from MAIDS- GRID, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University (Hnin Ei Ei Naing, Thu Thu Aung, Khin Yamone Zaw, Rachada Buranasiri, Peerawith Meebon) gathered at the Universitas Mulawarman with academics, graduate students, and practitioners from several universities and institutions from five countries (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia) to update on the collaborative project “Vulnerable Deltas in Southeast Asia: Climate Change, Water Pollution, and Socio-Economic Transformation.” 

The full four day workshop included project coordination activities, student presentations and field visits to Tani Baru and Muara Pantuan Villages.

For more information about the project, you can visit the CSDS website here.

Political Ecology in Asia Dialogue Series: "Enabling a sustainable and just electricity transformation in Thailand"

Last month, we talked with Chuenchom Sangarasri Greacen (Chom Greacen), who is a co-founder of the energy think tank Palang Thai that has undertaken public-interest research for fair, sustainable, and democratic development of the energy sector in Thailand and the wider Mekong region. Before this, from 1999 to 2003, Chom was an electricity policy analyst at the Energy Policy and Planning Office within Thailand’s Ministry of Energy, where she concentrated on the country’s electricity-sector reform process. 

Over the last two decades, Chom has prepared many studies published as reports, academic articles and in the media. Her work has often informed and shaped public debates on electricity planning and policy, as well as particular power projects. In 2012, for example, she prepared a power development plan for Thailand that demonstrated how Thailand could phase out coal, incorporate more renewable energy and emphasize energy efficiency and demand side management, leading to significant debate on the Thai Government’s own Power Development Plan.

In this video, we discussed about enabling a just and sustainable electricity transformation in Thailand.

The video was premiered on CSDS Facebook Page. Below are the timestamps of the video, in case you want to jump to specific section/question.

• 02:47 To begin, please could you give us a brief overview of Thailand's electricity sector at present, in terms of types of generation and ownership. From the government's perspective, what is the current goal of electricity planning? How do you evaluate this goal?

• 10:42 Thailand currently has a very high reserve margin (around 45%?) - How did this become so, and what do you think should be done about it?

• 23:23 There is growing debate in Thailand about increasing the proportion of renewables? How do you evaluate the progress on this to date? Are renewables moving in the right direction in Thailand, in terms of type and expansion?

• 30:28 It seems that 'disruptive technologies', such as decentralized block chain systems, are attracting a lot of attention nowadays.  What are the current issues here, and what do you think about them? 

• 35:26 Often less discussed is the potential for energy efficiency and demand side management? Is there scope for more in Thailand, and do you think it is likely to be achieved?

• 40:31 Do you think that the EU's Carbon Border Tax is significant to Thailand? Is it already having an impact and if so, how?

• 45:20 In what ways do you think research can help support a just and sustainable electricity transformation in Thailand? What should be the research agenda and who should undertake it?

Political Ecology in Asia Dialogue Series: "Mekong River low flows, community livelihoods and the politics of water knowledge in Northeast Thailand"

Earlier this month, we talked with Assoc. Prof. Kanokwan Manorom who is is currently Lecturer in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand. She is also the Director of the Mekong Sub-Region Social Research Center in the University.

Ajarn Kanokwan is a sociologist by training whose research examines rural development in Thailand and the wider Mekong region. Her research has focused on to water and land governance, as well related topics such as migration, gender, indigenous knowledge and knowledge politics, and the role of social movements. In this political ecology in asia dialogue, we discussed about the recent changes in the Mekong River and its impact on riparian communities in Northeast Thailand.

The video was premiered on CSDS Facebook Page. Below are the timestamps of the video, in case you want to jump to specific section/question.

• 02:08 Over the last couple of years, there has been a lot of discussion about the changing conditions of the Mekong River, including low flows, algae growth and clear waters. What have been the peoples’ experiences of low flows and other changes in the Mekong River over the last couple of years in Northeast Thailand, including gendered impacts?

• 06:08 In Northeast Thailand nowadays, how important is fishing, and how important is riverbank gardening?

• 07:41 A lot of the focus over the past couple of years has been on inter-government data sharing, both within the MRC, and between China and the LMC. After the low flows in 2020, in October 2020 China announced it would share all year around data from two monitoring stations. How do you evaluate the recent increased focus on state-led water data sharing?

• 11:30 As a sociologist, how do you see the water data relating to local experience and situational knowledge of the river, does it match?

• 16:18 How do you think these types of existing knowledge can be combined or be in dialogue with each other?

• 17:53 How could those types of knowledge come together?

• 22:30 Do you have anything to share about types of knowledge, what kind of direction that are leading the Mekong River, and do you think the expectations of that kind of research can be met?

• 26:42 To achieve the kind of sustainability that we just discussed, should it be just locally, regionally, nationally or transnational platform that we should work towards?

• 31:13 What should be the role of academics, and what should be the priorities for a 'political ecology' research agenda on water in Northeast Thailand?

Political Ecology in Asia Dialogue Series: "Problems for the plantations: Challenges for large-scale land concessions in Laos and Cambodia"

Last month, we had a discussion with Professor Ian G. Baird, who is currently a Professor of Geography in the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses mainly on mainland Southeast Asia, especially Laos, Thailand and northeastern Cambodia. He has written on a range of themes related to rural political ecology in Southeast Asia, and that also relates to development studies, post-colonial studies, and on indigeneity in Southeast Asia. His work has addressed land and rivers in mainland Southeast Asia, including the impacts of large hydropower dams and economic land concessions.

This discussion focused on to Ian’s research on land concessions in Southern Laos and NE Cambodia, which relates to questions over control and access to land, government strategy and planning towards economic land concessions and commodity exports, forms of community resistance, and the role of global commodity markets.

The video was premiered on CSDS Facebook Page. Below are the timestamps of the video, in case you want to jump to specific section/question.

• 03:35 To what extent have plantations been established in Southern Laos and NE Cambodia, over what time frame, by which actors and for what purposes?

• 05:50 Why have political ecology researchers paid attention to plantations in Southern Laos and NE Cambodia? What are the main directions of their research and what are the most important findings overall?

• 08:05 Your work has mainly focused on Southeast Asia – in the body of research that has been done so far, are the issues outlined here shared with other regions or is there something about the plantation in Southeast Asia that is unique to the region?

• 09:30 You emphasize in your recent 2019 paper in Journal of Agrarian Change that you would like to draw attention to ‘after the land grab’, in particular for plantation developers. Could you explain why this is significant?

• 14:15 Follow up: how it relates to commodity prices and what you term ‘resource frontier mentality’?

• 20:58 How much influence that community activism or civil society activism had in influencing these companies?

• 25:00 Are there any challenges that are not fixable by these modern agribusinesses when they’re trying to invest in Southern Laos and Northeast Cambodia?

• 26:28 You conclude that in Southern Laos and NE Cambodia “… plantation development is often fraught with difficulties… ” and that “….. they appear to be frequently constituting “lose-lose-lose” scenarios for villagers, the government and investors.” You also note that some government officials in Laos and Cambodia are themselves becoming less supportive of land concessions. Do you anticipate the decline of the plantation as an approach to development in Southern Laos and Northeast Cambodia?

• 31:05 Could the analysis that you showed could give insight to ways to transform this thinking of development, if not from mainstream at least to give new ideas about how activist or even government officials might reapproach plantations and development?

• 34:20 Regarding a political ecology research agenda on plantations and land in Southeast Asia, what would be your suggestions for key priorities?

Further reading: Baird, I. G. (2020). "Problems for the plantations: Challenges for large-scale land concessions in Laos and Cambodia." Journal of Agrarian Change 20(3): 387-407.

Read more of Ian Baird's research here.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: The Belt and Road Initiative, hydropolitics, and hydropower [Online, 7 June 2021]

On june 7, Carl Middleton from CSDS was invited as one of the speakers for the webinar "Contrasting China's Relationship with South and Southeast Asia: the Belt and Road Initiative, Hydropolitics, and Hydropower."

Carl was speaking on ‘Reworking the Mekong River Regime: The Geopolitics and Hydropolitics of Competing Regionalisms’.

The full panelists of the event are:

• Prof Jiejin Zhu, School of International Relations and Public Affairs and center for UN and International Organizations studies at Fudan University

• Dr Ruth Gamble, La Trobe University, Melbourne

• Dr Carl Middleton, Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS) in the Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

• Rohan D’Souza, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University

Chair: Prof Lyla Mehta, Institute of Development Studies

For more information about the event, you can visit the organizer’s website here. You can also watch the full panel below:

EVENT [RESOURCES]: CU Radio: Unlock The Science Ep.10 Mekong River Part One: Its Might and Great Source of Life

On Saturday, 8 May 2021, Carl Middleton from CSDS was invited to the Chulalongkorn University Radio to talk on the series “Unlock The Science” for the tenth episode. Carl talked on the part one, “Its Might and Great Source of Life”, which discussed the vitality of Mekong to people in the region and the rise in commercial use of its resources.

Unlock The Science is a 30-minute weekly audio program that leads listeners to the most relevant fields of science, research and study in Thailand and other countries that affect our daily life and environment. The episode talked about the Mekong River, which runs over 4,900 kms through the heartland of ancient civilizations, nurturing unique and complex ecosystems, and feeding more than 60 million people in six Asian countries. Believed to be the habitat of Naga, the giant horn snake, the river is revered by people along its course, and is considered as the birth place of life. Mekong countries are the world’s key rice producers, and Mekong River possesses the highest fish biodiversity, second only to the Amazon River. The riches of Mekong River do not provide sustenance to people along the river only, but they are also attracting many big transnational corporations to invest in large-scale development projects in exploiting the river’s bountiful resources. Discussing the significance and geopolitics of Mekong River in this episode are Premrudee Daoroung, founder and coordinator of Project SEVANA South-East Asia, and Dr. Carl Middleton, director of Center for Social Development Studies, Chulalongkorn University.

You can listen to the radio on the link below:

EVENT [RESOURCES]: The Mekong, China, & SE Asian Transitions Series-Mekong Dams: Debates and the Politics of Evidence [Online, 29 April 2021]

On Thursday, 29 April 2021, Carl Middleton from CSDS was invited to be one of the speakers for Asian Studies Center at Michigan State University’s Spring 2021 Webinar Series: The Mekong, China, & SE Asian Transitions Series. Carl was one of the speakers for Panel 4: “Mekong Dams: Debates and the Politics of Evidence”.

The full panelists of the event are:

• Brian Eyler, Stimson Center, Washington D.C.

• Carl Middleton, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok

• Nguyễn Hương Thủy Phan, Graduate Institute - Geneva, Switzerland

• Pon Souvannaseng, Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts

• Apichai Sunchindah, Independent Development Specialist, Bangkok

Moderator: Wisa Wisesjindawat-Fink, Michigan State University

You can watch the full panel below:

EVENT [RESOURCES]: Opening Talk for the Photo Exhibition “The Mekong is Blue and Dried” [Bangkok, 16 March 2021]

Photograph taken from SEA-Junction Facebook Group on the link here.

On Monday, 16th March 2020, Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies, was one of the speakers for the opening talk of SEA Junction’s “Mekong is Blue and Dried” photo exhibition, which will be held from 16 – 28 March 2021 at Corner Space, 1st Floor, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). The exhibition is born out of concern for the environmental degradation of the Mekong River.

Other speakers on the talk include:

• Anthony Zola, Independent Researcher

• Premrudee Daoroung, Lao Dam Investment Monitor

• Laure Siegel, Freelance Journalist

The talk was moderated by Rosalia Sciortino from SEA Junction.

You can watch the video of the event below.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: ASEAN Water Platform 2021 [Online, 24 February 2021]

On Wednesday, 24th February 2021, Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies presented on the "Role of Mekong River Commission (MRC) and research on transboundary water governance" for the ASEAN Water Platform.

You can watch the video of the event below.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: CRISEA Final Conference – Competing Regional Integrations in Southeast Asia: The Project and its Findings [Online, 22 February 2021]

On Monday, 22nd February 2021, Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies, was one of the presenters for CRISEA Final Conference – Competing Regional Integrations in Southeast Asia: The Project and its Findings. Carl presented the research on “Southeast Asia and China: Transnational Water Issues on the Mekong”.

Competing Regional Integrations in Southeast Asia (CRISEA) is an interdisciplinary research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme that studies multiple forces affecting regional integration in Southeast Asia and the challenges they present to the peoples of Southeast Asia and its regional institutional framework, ASEAN.

You can watch the video of the conference on the link here.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: ARI E-Workshop on Transboundary Environmental Governance in Southeast Asia [Online, 4 December 2020]

On 4 December 2020, Carl Middleton from CSDS was invinted to present on an inter-disciplinary workshop on "Transboundary Environmental Governance in Southeast Asia", organized by The Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore. The workshop explored how, why, when and what forms of transboundary environmental governance are emerging in Southeast Asia.

Carl was one of the presenters on the fourth panel on Hybrid Governance of Transboundary Commons. Carl’s presentation was on “Beyond the Commons/Commodity Dichotomy in the Lancang-Mekong Basin: Implications for Transboundary Water Governance” and discussed the implications of hybrid governance perspective for recent hydropolitics in the river basin and existing and new transboundary water governance institutions, namely the Mekong River Commission and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework.

For more information about the workshop, please click here.

You can watch the video of the event here and please enter the passcode ARIWORK!123 to access. Carl’s presentation will start at 5:47:35.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: Virtual Conference on Sustainable Development and the Future of the Mekong [Online, 27 October 2020]

Virtual Panel (c) Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace

On Thursday, 6th August 2020, Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies, was invited by the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP) to speak on a virtual conference on "Sustainable Development and the Future of the Mekong".

Carl was one of the speakers on Panel IV, discussing “Human Security Issues in the Mekong Context: Agriculture, Energy, Water and Environment”. The panel discussed various topics on rising energy demand, food and water security as well as environment have become increasingly salient in recent years and interact directly both at present and in future with the sustainability of the Mekong.

Carl’s presentation was on ”Water data democratization in the Mekong-Lancang basin”, and the presentation is available to download here.

You can watch the video of the event below.

EVENT [REPORT]: Book Launch 'The Water-Food-Energy Nexus' [Bangkok, 21 May 2019]

On 21 May 2019, the Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS) hosted a book launch for "The Water-Food-Energy Nexus: Power, Politics, and Justice". The book launch event discussed the topics related to the book's themes, inviting two panelists who are the authors of the book.

Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University and Dipak Gyawali from Nepal Academy of Science and Technology introduced the book, positioning it vis a vis of the global hegemonic nexus narratives - if nexus thinking is to attain poverty reduction goals, it needs to pay more attention to whose food, water, and energy is secured, clarifying by which means the needs of the marginalised will be prioritised.

They draw on insights from “dynamic sustainability” to show how in nexus approaches often “static” thinking rather than “dynamic” thinking prevails. Overall, in the book, the authors follow a pathways approach, seeking to broaden out the inputs to planning processes and appraisal methods, and open up the outputs to decision making and policy to recognise the different pathways to sustainability around the nexus.

The discussion was joined by Kasira Cheeppensook from Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, as Chair, as well as Dr. Takeshi Ito from Graduate Program in Global Studies, Sophia University and Dr. Supawan Visetnoi from Chulalongkorn University School of Agricultural Resources (CUSAR) as discussants.

The shared presentations from this discussion can be accessed here. The discussion was broadcast on Facebook Live and can be viewed at the above link.

*Report written by Anisa Widyasari, Communications Coordinator at CSDS

EVENT [RESOURCES]: Low Flows, Drought, Data and Geopolitics on the Mekong-Lancang [Bangkok, 6 August 2020]

On Thursday, 6th August 2020, Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies, was invited by the Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University, to talk via online media (Facebook Live) to keep an eye on the movement of the situation of East Asia and Southeast Asia on the issue of “Low Flows, Drought, Data and Geopolitics on the Mekong-Lancang”.

The talk was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Soimart Rungmanee from Puey Ungpakorn Institute of Development Studies, Thammasat University.

You can watch the video of the event below.

EVENT [RESOURCES]: New Research on COVID 19 and its Consequences: People, Planet and Inclusive Society [Online, 30 July 2020]

On 30 July 2020, Institute of Asian Studies and Center of Excellence in Resource Politics for Social Development, Chulalongkorn University organized an Online Panel Discussion on New Research on COVID 19 and its Consequences: People, Planet and Inclusive Society. It was part of the public Session organized for the International Conference on New research in international development, human rights, and international relations at a time of disruption.

Topics Covered:

• “COVID-19: Risks of Lives and Emerging of Social Movement of Migrant Workers in Chiang Rai Borderland” by Suebsakul Kidnukorn, Area-based Social Innovation Research Center (Ab-SIRC), Mae Fah Luang University

• “Tamsang-Tamsong: Social Distancing Promotion and Job Security for Motorcycle Taxi and Food Vendors during the Covid-19 Crisis” by Akkanut Wantanasombut, Mekong Studies Center, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University

• “Rethinking the Future of Thai Fisheries: COVID-19 and Vulnerable Groups in Thai Fisheries Sector” by Nithis Thammaseangadipa, Asian Research Center for Migration, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University

• “COVID- 19, Civil Society in Thailand’s Deep South and the Weak State” by Alisa Hasamoh, Faculty of Humanities and Social Development, Prince of Songkla University

The panel was moderated by Naruemon Thabchumpon from the Institute of Asian Studies and Center for Social Development Studies, Chulalongkorn University.

If you missed the discussion, or if you want to revisit, you can watch the discussion below.

New Research on COVID 19 and its Consequences: People, Planet and Inclusive Society Public Session organized for the International Conference on New research...

EVENT [RESOURCES]: Haze and Social (In)Justice in Southeast Asia: Past Experience and What Next? [Online, 29 July 2020]

On Wednesday, 29 July 2020, Center for Social Development Studies at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University organized a panel discussion focusing on the issue of social justice and air pollution. It was a Public Session organized for the International Conference on New research in international development, human rights, and international relations at a time of disruption.

The discussion examined how various economic, social and political inequalities intersect in relation to air pollution in terms of its creation and exposure, and the consequences for individuals, families and society as-a-whole.

Presentation Files:

• “COVID-19 and Haze: Implications on Health, Fires, and Social Justice” by Dr. Helena Varkkey, Department of Strategic and International Studies, University of Malaya

• “From Maize to Haze” by Daniel Hayward, Regional Centre for Social Science and Sustainable Development, Chiang Mai University

• “Right to Clean Air in Thailand's Time of Pandemic” by Tara Buakamsri, Greenpeace Southeast Asia

• “PMHAZE a People's Movement to Stop Haze” by Benjamin Tay, PM Haze

The panel was chaired by Asst. Prof. Dr. Carl Middleton from the Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

If you missed the discussion, or if you want to revisit, you can watch the discussion below.

Haze and Social (In)Justice in Southeast Asia: Past Experience and What Next? Public Session organized for the "International Conference on New research in i...

EVENT [RESOURCES]: The Mekong runs dry? Governance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play

On Wednesday, 29th July 2020, Carl Middleton from Center for Social Development Studies, was one of the presenters on the panel discussion held at the SEA Junction, titled “The Mekong runs dry? Governance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play”.

Other panelists on the event include:

• Dr.Somkiat Prajamwong, Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2020 and Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources

• Pianporn Deetes, Thailand Campaign Coordinator, International Rivers

• Premrudee Daoroung, Coordinator, Lao Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM)

• Orapin Lilitvisitwong, Editor, Thai PBS’s website, Decode

You can watch the video of the event below.