NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY UNDER THE APPROACH OF THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY PHILOSOPHY : A CASE STUDY OF THE LAO P.D.R.

Abstract

Current conventional western development approaches in the development industry as actively promoted by most developed countries, their development agencies and development banks have long asserted the absolute precedence of economic and financial consideration over social/cultural and environmental considerations. This neo-liberal, short-sighted and often misguided approach driven by the irresistible prospects of short-term financial gains, usually only for the “few”, can come at a particularly high price for affected societies and cultures. In contrast the ethically-based Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and SEP sympathetic development programmes offer more viable alternative because they promote moderation and sustainable step-by-step development with social/cultural, economic and environmental considerations being afforded due respect and being in proper sync and balance. This research confirmed that the SEP has been championed by the United Nations and acknowledged globally as shaping global development dialogue through promoting a more caring and people-centred working model for development and is now at the heart of the UN’s Post 2015 Global Development agenda. Research findings show that the perceptions of the SEP and of its principles in the Lao PDR are positive and strong and at all Government levels awareness is high. Likewise at a non-government and public level the perceptions against the pillars and dimensions of the SEP are similarly agreeable although often using different terminology and in a number of cases following already existing local development SEP-like approaches. This research has also established that there are complexities to the realization of the SEP in national development approaches and a pressing need for a much better connection between policy and practice and that current conventional Rural Development programmes should be more reflective of the local realities and problems and needs of the rural poor. The methodology used in this research included, literature reviews, direct observations and semi structured interviews for determining perceptions of the SEP and the research has found that the SEP approach is already well-known in the Lao PDR and is being implemented under the direct model of the SEP in “Model Villages” as well as through local hybrid versions following a similar philosophy; This research could consequently provide a basis for decision makers looking for an improved development model to take stock of the approaches in their current development plans and to consider selecting, implementing and realizing more SEP-like approaches in their next national development programme.