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Dialogue Forum 4: The Mekong runs dry? Governance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play (in Thai)
29 July, 2020 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
In times when society has become widened with gaps and differences of views and opinions, one issue could be escalated into a crisis if there are no platforms available for appropriate discussion among all concerned.
The media, while informing and inspiring their audience, could also take an educating and facilitating role to serve such the purpose, acting as a bridge and helping connect the dots into one big picture.
In collaboration with its partners and with the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Thailand Office), Bangkok Tribune News Agency has come up with a monthly forum on issues of importance, under the project, “Dialogue Forum”.
This is to facilitate and provide a space for discussions and exchanges of dialogues and views on issues of importance especially in regard to social and environmental issues both in Thailand and the Mekong region, thus not only helping connect the dots as wished, but also forging understanding among the public and the parties concerned, encouraging them to find a common ground and seek solutions together.
Development in the Mekong region, especially development trends and projects on the mainstream Mekong River itself, has long been a critical challenge and complicated issue for concerned parties and the public at large, and needs much understanding so that people can help one another find the way to share resources and live together in harmony.
The attempt was first challenged since China started to develop the upper part of the river by building a cascade of dams on the river in early 1990s.
The challenge has become far critical especially in regard to the aspect concerning transboundary impacts as the Mekong countries become ambitious too and wish to build a cascade of dams, 11 so far, on the lower part of the river.
At this point, they have been more than half way, as the sixth dam project, Sanakham, is subject to the regional prior consultation process, The question is; in times when development of the river has accelerated and posed a more serious threat, whether existing mechanisms to regulate water uses and mitigate impacts are efficient enough and catch up with such the speeding trend, and more critically, whether geopolitics in the region is still much at play and influences decisions made in regard to development in the region.
The Dialogue Forum therefore would cordially like to invite you to explore the sustainable path for the Mekong region amid the increasing challenge in this 2020s in its Dialogue Forum 4: The Mekong runs dry? Governance in transition: A close look at current
rules and geopolitics at play at SEA-Junction 408, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, on July 29, 2020 (5-7.30 pm)
Contact: southeastasiajunction@gmail.com
Bangkok Tribune coordinator: Piya Wong @089 920 8027/ Bangkok Tribune News FB Messenger
**In accordance with the COVID-19 regulation, please confirm your participation ahead of the event (limited seats available).
***You can also watch the event live at FB Live: Bangkok Tribune News FB Page
Objectives
- To develop and introduce a new body of knowledge and innovation in regard to an independent, in-depth media to the public (Indie & In-depth)
- To empower public members to be able to keep up with any developments as well as repercussions in the society, as well as the role of the media in helping shape the society (Empowering)
- To promote participation in development of such the innovative and independent media so that it can remain opened and accessible to all (Open & Accessible)
Partners
- Thai Society of Environmental Journalists
- Project SEVANA South-East Asia
- SEA-Junction
- Bangkok Tribune News Agency
Supported by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (Thailand Office)
Programme
Dialogue Forum 4 (in Thai)
The Mekong runs dry?
Governance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play
| 5.00 pm | Registration |
| 5.25 pm | Brief introduction of the forum and the topic of the forum |
| 5.30 pm | Overview: The state of dam development on the Mekong River and governance related mechanisms
Dr.Somkiat Prajamwong, Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2020 and Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources |
| 5.40 pm | Forum discussion: The Mekong runs dry? |
| Governance in transition: A close look at current rules and geopolitics at play | |
| Speakers: Dr.Somkiat Prajamwong, Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2020 and Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources Dr. Carl Middleton, Director of the Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University Pianporn Deetes, Thailand Campaign Coordinator, International Rivers Premrudee Daoroung, Coordinator, Lao Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM) Orapin Lilitvisitwong, Editor, Thai PBS’s website, Decode |
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| 6.40 pm | Q&A session |
| 7.30 pm | Wrap-up and closing of the forum |
