title: Discourses of climate change adaptation policy in Thailand: Implications for sustainable development and sufficiency economy

authors: Tongdethsri, Tidavadee

subjects: climate change

abstract: The significant threat of climate change to sustainable development is most acute in developing countries, which are predicted to experience higher occurrences of wildfires, more extreme storm events, rising sea-level and increasing incidence of devastating floods. In studying climate change adaptation policy in a developing country context, this thesis focuses on Thailand and its attempts to respond to international, national, and local pressures to respond to climate change.

As there is little research on the nascent climate change adaptation policies in the country, the thesis makes a significant contribution to identifying, analysing, and understanding the key discourses of such policies at the international, national, and local levels. Specifically, it examines how the different discourses at each level shape initiatives to promote climate adaptation and what the implications of these discourses are for sustainable development and the uniquely Thai notion of the sufficiency economy.

The research involved examining key texts, including policy documents, national reports, legislation and press releases, and analysing interviews with key actors on climate change adaptation policies at the international and national levels, as well as a local case study of the USAID-funded Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (ARCC) project in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The findings reveal several discourses at each level, with distinctly different implications for sustainable development and for the fulfilment of the aims of the sufficiency economy.

Thailand’s adaptation responses were influenced to a great extent by the country’s desire to balance its international obligations with its local development needs. The ideas that the discourses propagate, and the extent of their dominance vary across different levels, each being shaped by the genre of the texts and the key actors involved in producing and disseminating the discourses. Overall, there were stronger links to sustainable development than sufficiency economy in adaptation policy discourses.

By examining the discourses of adaptation policy at different policy levels, the research highlights the similarities and differences in how adaptation is prioritised and adopted at each level, including the role of international agencies in shaping local adaptation responses. The study provides a foundation for further research into the role of climate adaptation and its contribution to sustainable development. It also provides a basis for further analysis into the links between the ideas that underpin the Thai concept of the sufficiency economy and notions of sustainable development, and how they can inform national policy and practice.

text: Discourses of climate change adaptation policy in Thailand: Implications for sustainable development and sufficiency economy The significant threat of climate change to sustainable development is most acute in developing countries, which are predicted to experience higher occurrences of wildfires, more extreme storm events, rising sea-level and increasing incidence of devastating floods. In studying climate change adaptation policy in a developing country context, this thesis focuses on Thailand and its attempts to respond to international, national, and local pressures to respond to climate change.

As there is little research on the nascent climate change adaptation policies in the country, the thesis makes a significant contribution to identifying, analysing, and understanding the key discourses of such policies at the international, national, and local levels. Specifically, it examines how the different discourses at each level shape initiatives to promote climate adaptation and what the implications of these discourses are for sustainable development and the uniquely Thai notion of the sufficiency economy.

The research involved examining key texts, including policy documents, national reports, legislation and press releases, and analysing interviews with key actors on climate change adaptation policies at the international and national levels, as well as a local case study of the USAID-funded Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (ARCC) project in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The findings reveal several discourses at each level, with distinctly different implications for sustainable development and for the fulfilment of the aims of the sufficiency economy.

Thailand’s adaptation responses were influenced to a great extent by the country’s desire to balance its international obligations with its local development needs. The ideas that the discourses propagate, and the extent of their dominance vary across different levels, each being shaped by the genre of the texts and the key actors involved in producing and disseminating the discourses. Overall, there were stronger links to sustainable development than sufficiency economy in adaptation policy discourses.

By examining the discourses of adaptation policy at different policy levels, the research highlights the similarities and differences in how adaptation is prioritised and adopted at each level, including the role of international agencies in shaping local adaptation responses. The study provides a foundation for further research into the role of climate adaptation and its contribution to sustainable development. It also provides a basis for further analysis into the links between the ideas that underpin the Thai concept of the sufficiency economy and notions of sustainable development, and how they can inform national policy and practice.

year: 2021

title: Introducing WebQuests in mathematics: A study of Qatari students’ reactions and emotions

authors: Murphy, Carol

subjects: collaborative inquiry

abstract: There is a need to investigate didactic strategies that can enhance engagement in science and mathematics education. This paper reports on the introduction of WebQuests, as part of collaborative inquiry, to enhance students’ engagement in their mathematics lessons in Qatar. We present interview data gathered from eight student focus groups (grades 5 to 9) before and after the introduction of WebQuest lessons. Constant comparative analysis was used to examine students’ reactions to using WebQuests in developing student-directed learning and collaboration in relation to support for learning. The analysis identified prospective reactions that were often confirmed retrospectively following the WebQuest lessons. These reactions were further analysed as external expressions of affect encoded by trait-like emotions that were similar to Goldin et al.’s (2011) notion of engagement structures. We suggest that the confirmation of reactions and emotions was influenced by students’ levels of tolerance for ambiguity as a common element across engagement structures.

text: Introducing WebQuests in mathematics: A study of Qatari students’ reactions and emotions There is a need to investigate didactic strategies that can enhance engagement in science and mathematics education. This paper reports on the introduction of WebQuests, as part of collaborative inquiry, to enhance students’ engagement in their mathematics lessons in Qatar. We present interview data gathered from eight student focus groups (grades 5 to 9) before and after the introduction of WebQuest lessons. Constant comparative analysis was used to examine students’ reactions to using WebQuests in developing student-directed learning and collaboration in relation to support for learning. The analysis identified prospective reactions that were often confirmed retrospectively following the WebQuest lessons. These reactions were further analysed as external expressions of affect encoded by trait-like emotions that were similar to Goldin et al.’s (2011) notion of engagement structures. We suggest that the confirmation of reactions and emotions was influenced by students’ levels of tolerance for ambiguity as a common element across engagement structures.

year: 2020

title: 2021 NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi Caucus Conference Session and Future Directions

authors: Graham, Rebekah Sarah

abstract: The National Standing Committee on Bicultural Issues (NSCBI) celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Annual NZPsS Conference, held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Paakehaa/Tauiwi caucus discussed the NSCBI’s core values, focusing on how to uphold and connect with each value, such as protecting values passed down by tūpuna and promoting a vision of the future. Anti-racism education was presented, emphasizing the journey from the “Fear Zone” to the “Learning Zone” and into the “Growth Zone” as a tool for self-assessment. Reflections on supporting and challenging each other to make psychological practice actively anti-racist concluded the session. Key takeaways included the discomfort of staying silent, the importance of learning and trying, and being a bridge for others on their anti-racist journey. The participants agreed on the usefulness of the discussion and expressed a commitment to organizing more regular online events focusing on anti-racism and anti-racist practice. The NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi aims for 2021-2022 include strategically highlighting contributions to hostile working environments, developing relationships with anti-racism groups, promoting Māori psychologies, and facilitating online conversations, webinars, and discussions on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and biculturalism. The group also plans to develop training material and professional development for practitioners. The NSCBI acknowledges the ongoing progress in understanding racism and fostering openness among Paakehaa/Tauiwi in engaging with bicultural practices. Those interested in NSCBI events or contributing to their organization and promotion can visit the NZPsS Events page.

text: 2021 NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi Caucus Conference Session and Future Directions The National Standing Committee on Bicultural Issues (NSCBI) celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Annual NZPsS Conference, held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Paakehaa/Tauiwi caucus discussed the NSCBI’s core values, focusing on how to uphold and connect with each value, such as protecting values passed down by tūpuna and promoting a vision of the future. Anti-racism education was presented, emphasizing the journey from the “Fear Zone” to the “Learning Zone” and into the “Growth Zone” as a tool for self-assessment. Reflections on supporting and challenging each other to make psychological practice actively anti-racist concluded the session. Key takeaways included the discomfort of staying silent, the importance of learning and trying, and being a bridge for others on their anti-racist journey. The participants agreed on the usefulness of the discussion and expressed a commitment to organizing more regular online events focusing on anti-racism and anti-racist practice. The NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi aims for 2021-2022 include strategically highlighting contributions to hostile working environments, developing relationships with anti-racism groups, promoting Māori psychologies, and facilitating online conversations, webinars, and discussions on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and biculturalism. The group also plans to develop training material and professional development for practitioners. The NSCBI acknowledges the ongoing progress in understanding racism and fostering openness among Paakehaa/Tauiwi in engaging with bicultural practices. Those interested in NSCBI events or contributing to their organization and promotion can visit the NZPsS Events page.

year: 2021-11