Project Leader: Naomi Chi (Ph.D Candidate, School of Law, Hokkaido University) hState-Civil Society Interactions from Governance Perspective: The Case of Thailandh Speaker: Rika Fujioka (Ph.D Candidate, SOAS, University of London) Commentator: Dr. Mikine Yamazaki (Associate Professor, Public Policy School, Hokkaido University) Chairperson: Naomi Chi (Ph.D Candidate, School of Law, Hokkaido University) Date and Time: March 17th, 2006 (Fri) 4:30pm-7pm Place: W301, Humanities and Social Sciences Bldg., Hokkaido University |
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ƒSummary and Objective„ The purpose of Ms. Fujiokafs research is to examine the Thai government's pledge
to promote complementary state-civil society partnership in line with the ggood
governanceh agenda. Governance is an elusive concept, defying a clearly
articulated definition. It is also an under-researched subject, academically,
however, the true value which the concept of governance entails may lie in its
versatility. Having say that, there are number of critics who point out the
fallacy of the concept of governance employed in development practice. In line
with this argument, this study presents an empirical evidence made by critics
that gimposingh an universal ggood governanceh model on politico-institutionally
and socio-economically different countries is prone to engender policy-practice
discrepancies. The analyses in the research are based on the review of relevant
literature, along with the findings from a field survey in Thailand at the
central (Bangkok) and decentralized (Chiang Mai province) administrative
levels. The case study concerns the One Tambon One Product (OTOP), an
administrative unit comprising a cluster of villages), which aims at uplifting
the peoplefs livelihoods through occupational development. Ms. Fujiokafs research project is important as it contributes to the generally under-researched subject of governance. Through a case study on Thailand, this research reiterates the importance of reinforcing theory-practice interface. We have the honour of having Dr. Yamazaki as our commentator, who will speak to us about the possibilities of the concept of governance. |