Academic Discussion on Status of Local Government in the Transition Period

Mr. Karl-Peter Schönfisch delivered the welcome speech.

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The workshop on “Academic Discussion on Status of Local Government in the Transition Period” was conducted on 19 August 2016 by Urban Development Institute Foundation (Chiang Mai) in collaboration with Center of Local Initiative Studies the School of Social and Political Science, University of Phayao, and Hanns Seidel Foundation. The workshop was officially opened by Dr. Raksi Kiattibutra, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the School of Political and Social Science, University of Phayao. Mr. Karl-Peter Schönfisch, Representative of Hanns Seidel Foundation in Thailand and Laos, made a welcome speech and introduced the foundation and its works to the participants as well as provided valuable remarks on the local government in Germany.

Dr. Nattakorn Vititanon, School of Law, Mae Fah Luang University explained about the status of local government in the two decades.

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The aims for this workshop are as follows: firstly, to provide knowledge on the status of local government to executives, Chairman of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Council and Member of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Council. Secondly, to be a platform for the academic discussion, and exchange views on status of local government in the transition period.

The 46 participants consisted of executives, Chairman of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Council and Member of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Council from the different provinces, namely Phrae, Nan, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phayao, as well as university students. The workshop started with a presentation on history of the local government in the last two decades. The participants were enthusiastic to learn, and expressed their points of view related to the success and obstacle of their works during the transition period in terms of laws, budget, elections, human resources, financial issue, problem in the communities, politics etc. 

Workshop atmosphere

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Several academics and experts in the local administrative government attended the workshop as speakers, for example, Prof. Dr. Tanet Charoenmuang from Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, Dr. Nattakorn Vititanon, School of Law, Mae Fah Luang University, in order to discuss with the attendant on various aspects, After the workshop, the attendants understood and realized the importance of status of local government. They gained knowledge on the basics of citizens and local leadership. Above all, they can build a new network among themselves. It is planned, that the results of the discussion will be accumulated and published in a small publication by academics.