WTUC Parallel Session Parallel session 2.1: Community Engagement and Action for Planetary Health
Thursday 3 October 202410:30 – 12:30
Persada Convention Centre
Planetary Health: ‘Alliances for Diplomacy: Harnessing University Collaborations for Planetary Health’
Sub-themes in focus – sharing global perspectives: Community Engagement and Action for Planetary Health
What: Round Table Discussion: Parallel Session
Overview: In these sessions we will explore the sub-themes for the Congress through a range of short presentations leading into round table discussions.
Each parallel session will have a Chair to facilitate the discussion and we hope the conversations might spark areas for future WTUN collaboration and workstream developments.
Chair: To Be Confirmed
Speakers:
- Mr. Surain Thapanangkun, Director of the Royal Project Foundation and King’s Recommended Project Supporting Center, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
- Dr Supattarayan Thongjit, Vice Dean, Director of High Dental Assistance Program, Institute of Dentistry, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand
- Associate Professor Dr Samak Kaewsuksaeng & Dr Khwanchit Suwannoppharat, Vice President for Research and Innovation & Assistant President for International Affairs, Thaksin University
- Dr Husna Dimapalao, Assistant Professor, Mindanao State University
Mr. Surain Thapanangkun
‘Community Engagement and Planetary Health: 4 Decades of KMUTT’s Experiences’
In an era of global environmental challenges and social inequalities, the intersection of community engagement and planetary health has become increasingly critical. KMUTT, as a leading STI University in Thailand, plays an important role in addressing these interconnected issues through community engagement programs and environmental revitalization. KMUTT has run social engagement programs to promote quality of life and eliminate inequality in rural areas and marginalized groups for about 4 decades. We have working areas throughout all regions of the country. Our key implementations are to create learning platforms to promote community capabilities to learn and adapt new knowledge with integration of local tacit knowledge and cultural background. By doing so, we build up a so-called “social lab” in target areas. We then extend and connect our expertises beyond campus boundaries to directly impact local communities. The programs often involve collaborative projects where students, faculty, and community members work together to identify and address local issues. Such initiatives not only empower communities with new knowledge and skills but also provide valuable learning experiences for university students and faculty.
The community engagement programs include 4 key areas. These are (a) alternative farming to replace monoculture crops, (b) biodiversity and food security program, (c) primary health care program for hill-tribe people, (d) renewable energy in remote areas, and (e) innovative learning for remote schools and youth development.
Dr Supattarayan Thongjit
‘Building a Local Health Vanguard: A Collaborative Approach to Ownership in Healthcare System’
In contemporary Thai healthcare, both modern medicine and alternative medicine coexist. If these two aspects of healthcare are integrated, along with active community participation in managing healthcare choices, it will lay a strong foundation for achieving equitable and accessible health for all. Suranaree University of Technology, as a key institution in producing healthcare professionals, recognizes the importance of empowering communities to manage their health independently. This initiative involves healthcare professionals working, key persons of community alongside community health volunteers to develop a robust community health system.
The focus is on creating a “Local Health Vanguard”—community volunteers with the knowledge and skills to prevent, rehabilitate, and treat basic illnesses. These individuals serve as the frontline, reporting and referring cases to medical personnel for further treatment. The university instills this approach in students through practical courses that emphasize health promotion in rural communities. The learning process involves identifying health issues with the community, co-designing solutions with patients and local networks, and implementing these solutions with the involvement of community volunteers at every stage. This approach fosters a sense of ownership in the healthcare system and cultivates sustainable, community-driven health solutions for the future.
Dr Samak Kaewsuksaeng & Dr Khwanchit Suwannoppharat
‘Utilization of Research and Innovation to Improve Locals’ Quality of Life: From Academic to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’
The integration of research and innovation into local community development plays a pivotal role in enhancing quality of life and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper presents what Thaksin University (TSU) has been doing through community engagement to benefit the local communities in several aspects such as poverty, quality of life, tourism, clean energy, green areas, etc. based on SDG concepts. TSU has made an attempt to apply academic research and innovations to sustainable development, focusing on their practical application in local contexts. By leveraging interdisciplinary approaches and fostering collaborations between academia, government, and local stakeholders, these initiatives not only advance scientific knowledge but also yield tangible benefits for communities. Moreover, the paper highlights the importance of policy alignment and investment in capacity-building to ensure that research outcomes are inclusive and equitable. By aligning academic pursuits with the SDGs, this underscores the potential for a transformative impact on local development, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and just world. The findings advocate for a paradigm shift in how academic institutions engage with societal issues, promoting a model where research and innovation are integral to sustainable development strategies.
Keywords: research and innovation, sustainable development goals, community engagement, sustainability
Dr Husna Dimapalao
‘Meranao Binatang Citizen Science: Empowering Local Communities for Biodiversity Conservation in Ramain Subwatershed, Lanao del Sur, Philippines’
The Ramain Subwatershed in Lanao del Sur, which spans from the upper mountainous forested zones to the open forests and lowland regions with agro-ecosystem as well as human settlements, is a crucial component of the Lake Lanao Watershed system. This biologically diverse region serves as a vital habitat for numerous endemic and threatened species. However, it faces significant environmental threats, including habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Among the subwatersheds, the Ramain Subwatershed is particularly vulnerable to flooding. To address these challenges, the Mindanao State University – Marawi through the BioCARES Team, launched a research and extension project aimed at harnessing the power of citizen science to engage local communities in biodiversity conservation. Our primary goal is to empower community members to actively participate in data collection, species monitoring, and conservation planning, thereby fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their natural environment. Citizen science, a collaborative approach that involves non-professional scientists in data collection and analysis, promotes environmental stewardship and enhances the capacity for large-scale monitoring. This project begins with relevant lectures and workshops, supplemented by field surveys and collaborative activities, to build local capacity and raise awareness about the importance of conserving faunal biodiversity.
The data collected by citizen scientists will be used to identify key biodiversity indicators, assess ecosystem health, and inform sustainable management practices. Preliminary findings indicate that involving local communities in conservation efforts improves data accuracy, raises public awareness, and strengthens community resilience against environmental threats. The Meranao Binatang Citizen Science is part of the project management of the Faunal Vulnerability Assessment in Ditsaan-Ramain Subwatershed, under the umbrella of the R&D program titled “Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Lake Lanao Watershed: Towards a Sustainable and Climate Change- Resilient Ecosystems and Communities in Lanao del Sur, Philippines”. This initiative not only protects faunal biodiversity in the Ramain Subwatershed but also sets a model for integrating citizen science into conservation strategies in similar ecological contexts. By empowering communities and fostering a culture of conservation, this initiative underscores the critical role of citizen science in achieving sustainable biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the study aims to provide a framework for implementing citizen science programs in similar contexts, demonstrating the value of public engagement in biodiversity conservation across the Philippines and beyond.
Keywords: Meranao, Binatang Citizen Science, faunal biodiversity conservation, Lake Lanao
Mr Surain Thapanangkun
Dr. Supattarayan Thongjit
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Samak Kaewsuksaeng
Dr. Husna Dimapalao