Symposium on Local Wisdom & Improving Life

When I was in college, don’t ask how long ago, I took a fascinating course called “Futures Management” which dealt with looking at the possible things we could do to have effect on the future and some predictions about the future.  What would the world be like after the turn of the century, more than 20 years in the future?   We read many things written by futurists.  Alvin Toffler’s “Future Shock” was one of our texts. “The Third Wave” had just been released; many of us added it to list of reading material.  Some of the predictions have come true, or partly true.  Sadly most of those were made by pessimists.  The optimists view never merged with reality, especially where energy and conservation are concerned. Perhaps they underestimated the power of short term greed at every level.  Frankly I hadn’t thought much about my futures course recently, that is until I was invited to attend and write about “The Inaugural International Symposium on Local Wisdom and Improving the Quality of Life”.

This Symposium was opened by Yingluck Shinawatra, The Prime Minister of Thailand.  This says a lot for the value placed on this symposium.

The Prime Minister Pays Respect to the King

Clearly, it was a media frenzy

PM Officially opens the symposium

Prime Minister  Yingluck Shinawatra

The symposium was sponsored by the Rajamangala Universities (There are nine of them throughout Thailand).  The host and primary organizer was Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai.  The three day event took place at the Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai which is a beautiful, stunning actually, botanical garden with lovely meeting spaces.   The theme or central question was: “How will the community’s way of life be in the next 20 years”?   Participants from academia, government and industry made presentations.   The symposium was organized around five main topics:

• Way of Life in Harmony with the Environment
• Community Entrepreneurship
• Laying the Foundation for Strong Community
• Culture and Tourism
• Community Education and Local Wisdom

These people know they need to preserve the village community if the future is to be good.  They face challenges and are asking hard questions.  Perhaps the central question is: How do they find a balance between preservation of culture within the small communities, the environment and both economic and academic progress.  These small communities are ethnic minorities.  In many ways they are analogous to the Native Americans, the difference being that it appears Thailand is attempting to preserve their culture..

The list of presenters and attendees was impressive!    May I suggest you spend a few minutes at The symposium website ? Not all of it is in English, but the important historical aspects are. Besides this is a Thai project for the Thai’s, the language should be Thai.

Phonesvan Bilavarn Luangprabang Laos
 Dr Cynthia Maung Mae Toa Clinic Thailand
Sangduen Chialert, Conservationist
Prayat Worapricha, Rajamangala Univeristy

There were fascinating exhibits in the hall adjacent to the meeting rooms.  Some of the exhibits were typical public relations, others were truly history lessons. As I walked around the hall taking pictures, I was often invited to be a part of the photograph.

The Rajamangala University Bangkok Contingent plus
(Yes that's in the middle)

Fresh from the farm, no chemicals

Anchient Instructions for Thai Massage

Lantern Makers from Chiang Rai 

Lanterns from Chiang Rai

I had the opportunity to meet several of the organizers and participants.   Doors have been opened and I look forward to the learning that is my future.   A sincere THANK YOU to my friend and teacher, Ajaan Prayat Worapricha for seeing to my invitation and making many of the introductions.