SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

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The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy
International Conference
Conclusion
The purpose of this discussion was to better understand SE’s strengths in
development terms by comparing it to a widely used alternative development
approach, SLA. Through that comparison, it became clear that SE has great potential
for lasting change due to its emphasis on mental and moral development, though it
could be enhanced by adopting SLA’s analytical approach, which would facilitate
better understanding of how larger contexts affect livelihoods (and vice versa). SLA
didn’t have much to offer to refine SE’s ability to build strong communities. For
that, we turned to the concept of interdependence, which is already implicit in SE’s
philosophy, and explored the very limited literature on community economies. These
theories about what a community economy might be need further consideration to
extract and hone relevant ideas and will require still further specification into a
framework that can be applied for community development. With enthusiasm for SE
mounting in communities across Thailand, these efforts to stren gthen SE will help
ensure that it enhances wellbeing beyond the level of individual households and and
SMEs, for the good of the society as a whole and the environment that sustains us.