Recently, Kunying Supatra Masdit, Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister, participated in the 3/1998 meeting of the Eighth Plan Civic Assembly Working Group chaired by Prof. Dr.Prawase Wasi at Dej Sanitwongse Conference Room, the Office of the NESDB.
With participation of involved parties from both public and private sectors, including the NGOs, the Eighth Plan Civic Assembly Working Group Meeting was aimed at promoting multilateral participation in traslating the Eight Plan into action. The implementation process should be made transparent, based on popular participation and consultations of all stakeholders.
Two main issues were raised at the meeting : media and community economic development and good governance promotion. Given the current economic crisis, sand Dr.Prawase, the meeting agreed that the media play a greater role in providing knowledge and information to promote community economic development. Media representatives of both public and private sectors should be encouraged to disseminate information on economic and social rehabilitation to local people, or to set up a venue for discussion among the local people.
In this regard, PM's Office Minister Kunying Supatra Masdit added that the New Constitution clearly states on roles of the media and public participation in monitoring and supervising the media for sake of mutual benefits of the general public. There include as explicit role in terms of development communication and legitimate rights of people for media utilization which would lead to more transparency in operations.
Also participating as member of the working group, Bangchak Petroleum President, Mr.Sophon Suphapong Suggested that the meeting take into account the rising unemployment and income effects on the poor due to the current economic recession. Relevant parties should urgently promote the contented economic principles for community economic development. The government should provide sufficient resources, plus administrative authorities for local communities, especially small and medium enterprises, for they could contribute to sustainable growth of national economy.
In promoting community development, added Mr.Sophon, the press would not serve only as disseminator, and also organizer of discussion and exchange of views among local people. They should be urged to express their ideas and problems, while relecant government agencies should be there to help them initiate proper development for their communities.
The meeting also discussed proper measures to promote the concept of good governance in development delivery. Mr.Thirayuth Bunmi, representing the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University at the meeting, said that Thai society can develop different forms of relationship during the economic crisis. People should work in concert in order to reach a consensus for proper alleviation guidelines.
Good governance, according to Mr.Thirayuth, is a process to create cordial relationships among the government, private sector and the general public. The country's administration shold follow a two-way communication process. Public participation should be encouraged, with a fair rule of law and accountability in order to achieve an efficient, ethical and transparent practice for administration.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 13, No.4 : April 1998--
With participation of involved parties from both public and private sectors, including the NGOs, the Eighth Plan Civic Assembly Working Group Meeting was aimed at promoting multilateral participation in traslating the Eight Plan into action. The implementation process should be made transparent, based on popular participation and consultations of all stakeholders.
Two main issues were raised at the meeting : media and community economic development and good governance promotion. Given the current economic crisis, sand Dr.Prawase, the meeting agreed that the media play a greater role in providing knowledge and information to promote community economic development. Media representatives of both public and private sectors should be encouraged to disseminate information on economic and social rehabilitation to local people, or to set up a venue for discussion among the local people.
In this regard, PM's Office Minister Kunying Supatra Masdit added that the New Constitution clearly states on roles of the media and public participation in monitoring and supervising the media for sake of mutual benefits of the general public. There include as explicit role in terms of development communication and legitimate rights of people for media utilization which would lead to more transparency in operations.
Also participating as member of the working group, Bangchak Petroleum President, Mr.Sophon Suphapong Suggested that the meeting take into account the rising unemployment and income effects on the poor due to the current economic recession. Relevant parties should urgently promote the contented economic principles for community economic development. The government should provide sufficient resources, plus administrative authorities for local communities, especially small and medium enterprises, for they could contribute to sustainable growth of national economy.
In promoting community development, added Mr.Sophon, the press would not serve only as disseminator, and also organizer of discussion and exchange of views among local people. They should be urged to express their ideas and problems, while relecant government agencies should be there to help them initiate proper development for their communities.
The meeting also discussed proper measures to promote the concept of good governance in development delivery. Mr.Thirayuth Bunmi, representing the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University at the meeting, said that Thai society can develop different forms of relationship during the economic crisis. People should work in concert in order to reach a consensus for proper alleviation guidelines.
Good governance, according to Mr.Thirayuth, is a process to create cordial relationships among the government, private sector and the general public. The country's administration shold follow a two-way communication process. Public participation should be encouraged, with a fair rule of law and accountability in order to achieve an efficient, ethical and transparent practice for administration.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 13, No.4 : April 1998--