Mekong in Transition: Foreseeing Our Region in Development, Environment, and Spirituality

Enrich Institute and API Fellowship Program co-organized a workshop on the topic "Mekong in Transition: Foreseeing Our Region in Development, Environment, and Spirituality”  on March 08 from 1pm to 5pm at the NGO Forum meeting room.  The aim of this workshop is allow the participants to exchange their views on the Mekong Region’s future with particular focus on three key areas of development, environment, and spirituality. The Mekong Region is well noted for its rich natural environment and resources, as well as diverse forms of traditions, cultures, and religions. At the same time, the region is now experiencing rapid changes, especially as a result of economic expansion and integration. How do we envision the Mekong Region’s development in the future, i.e., well-beings of ourselves as well as millions of people both in material and spiritual aspects of life?  The workshop was participated by 35 people representing researchers, and scholars from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Japan. Four guests speakers were invited to share their research finding on Mekong issues. 
-Ajarn Heng Monychenda, Founding Director, Buddhism for Development
 -Ms. Naomi Hatsukano, Researcher, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) 
-Ms. Bampen Chaiyarak; Independent researcher; API Fellow Year 9 
-Mr. Toshiyuki Doi, Senior Advisor, Mekong Watch; Senior API Fellow Year 9 
 -Prof. Surichai Wun’Gaeo, Program Director, API Fellowships Program; Chair, Chula Global and Regional Studies Program, Chulalongkorn University served as the discussant and Mr. Heng Pheakdey, the founder of Enrich Institute played a role as the moderator the whole workshop.