On 3 November 2023, Asst. Prof. Dr. Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University, and Mr. Dick Custin, Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Bangkok presided over an opening ceremony of the Mekong Academic Consortium Conference (MAC) 2023 to address emerging challenges in the Mekong River basin and promote the Thai-U.S. Academic Network to create sustainable solutions for the Mekong, a shared aim of the Mekong-U.S. Partnership at the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai.
Mae Fah Luang University, in collaboration with the Mekong Sub-region Social Research Center of Ubon Ratchathani University and Center for Peace and Conflict Studies of Chulalongkorn University, has partnered with the U.S. Mission to Thailand to organize the MAC 2023 on “Advancing Scientific Capacity, Strengthening Thai-U.S. Academic Network, and Creating Solutions for a Sustainable Mekong River Basin” from 2 – 5 November 2023. More than 40 academics specializing in sustainable management of the Mekong River from educational institutions in Thailand and the United States attended this seminar in Chiang Rai.
This conference aimed to promote engagement, knowledge sharing, and action among Thai scholars to address the emerging challenges facing Mekong water-energy-food systems. The conference also provides a forum for Thai scholars from various disciplines to discuss key research issues related to Mekong River water resource management and for developing joint Thai-U.S. research proposals that identify solutions for MAC to inform public policy.
“There is a great saying that environment has no boundaries. In reality, lands and rivers may serve as political boundaries between countries, but from an ecological perspective, lands and rivers connect us all. And, we all need and share these global commons. This saying is very true for the Greater Mekong River Basin. Since the establishment of our university, Mae Fah Luang University has positioned ourselves as the knowledge resource for the region. In that regard, we try to live up to our promise and to follow in the footsteps of the King Rama IX’s Mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, whose vision was to “restore forest and promote sustainable livelihoods for all.” said Asst. Prof. Dr. Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University.
“As a responsible global actor, the United States pays attention to the Mekong as part of its commitment to economic development, environment protection, climate change mitigation and livelihood conservation for the mutual benefit of the Thai people and others in the region. Since 2009, the United States has invested $4.9 billion in U.S. assistance in Mekong countries under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership. The MAC shows our interconnectedness and the need for collaboration with local academics to address the complex challenges faced by the Mekong region and its people,” said Dick Custin.
During the conference, Thai academics presented their research and exchange views about sustainable development, transboundary governance, as well as the sociological, cultural, political, and economic impact of human activity on the livelihood of the Mekong communities, including agriculture and fisheries.
Moreover, the conference included a field study to allow participants to talk and exchange views with local communities at Wiang Nong Lom and to hear local community members’ recommendations and concerns to ensure natural resource management policies reflect the local needs and promote development originating in communities.
The Mekong Academic Consortium Conference 2023 is a part of the Thailand – U.S. Academic Training Course and Workshop program on “Advancing Scientific Capacity, Strengthening Thai-U.S. Academic Network, and Creating Solutions for a Sustainable Mekong River Basin,” which runs from September 2022 – December 2023.
For 25 years, Mae Fah Luang University has been a knowledge resource for the region that promotes sustainable livelihoods for all through teaching, innovation, research and interdisciplinary collaboration with partners from various sectors. This project reflects the university’s continued efforts to enhance cooperative activities with national and regional institutions in promoting the sustainability, resilience, and security of the Mekong sub-region.
