PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN THE GREATER MEKONG REGION

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1 Perspectives on Development Policy in the Greater Mekong Region (PDP-GMR), Vol. 1, No. 1 (January 2013). Journal of PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN THE GREATER MEKONG REGION Volume 1, Number 1, January 2013 Perspectives on Development Policy in the Greater Mekong Region is an international publication, published twice a year. We seek to be a forum for publishing wide-angle and critical views of development policies that gives attention to economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of development. The Journal is owned by the International College of Mekong Region, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University and published on a non-profit basis. The views published herein are not necessarily those of the International College of Mekong Region, or its management and editorial personnel. Inquiries or comments on material published may be addressed to The Managing Editor. i

2 PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN THE GREATER MEKONG REGION Vol. 1, No. 1 (January June 2013). CONTENTS Editor s Introduction v ARTICLES Section A: Development Context The Idea and Ideal of Community Development. David Archard Contested Poverty and Policy Implications. Tran Thu Ha Section B: Development Practice Community Based Tourism in the Northern Economic Corridor of the Greater Mekong Subregion: A Case of Chiang Khong District in Thailand and Luoang Namtha District in Lao PDR. Bussaba Sittikarn Community Development Responses in a Globalised World. Narayan Gopalkrishnan Current Development Planning and Lessons Learned from Lao PDR. Patcharin Sirasoonthorn From the Neglected to the Advantaged Highland Minority Groups: A Case of Integrated Literacy and Life Quality Development Program in Northern Thailand. Anurak Panyanuwat iii

3 CONTENTS Section C: Development Evaluation Social Development in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Doi Moi and Social Welfare. Robert U. Doyle Model of Hawaiian Well-Being: Perspective on Best Practice for Community Development Davianna Pomak i; Paula McGregor; Tanemura Morelli; Jon K. Matsuoka; Luciano Minerbi Using Indicators for Community Health Promotion. Malcolm Shookner Accounting for the Future: Community Development and Issues of Accountability. Hurriyet Babacan BOOK REVIEW Sachs, Jeffrey, The End of Civilization. CALL FOR ARTICLES AND AUTHOR S GUIDELINES EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD CONTRIBUTORS iv

4 Managing Editor s Introduction Perspectives on Development Policy in the Greater Mekong Region Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Journal of Perspectives on Development Policy in the Greater Mekong Region (PDP-GMR). Originating in the International College of Mekong Region at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University in Thailand, this new journal will publish a wide variety of international perspectives on development policy affecting the region as a whole. We are aware that development is a contested term and also that it has been seen in individualistic ways that often confirm or conform to our own views. Therefore, we approach the field of study with an open mind, aware of the silo approach that one discipline or another might take to investigate the development field. We are open to publishing a multitude of views and a variety of approaches that would help the region to move towards a better quality of life, as well as a sustainable one. In essence, we seek to be a forum for publishing wide-angle and critical views of development policies that gives attention to economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of development. We intend that the Journal will deal with the analytical, political and moral questions that arise at the intersection between the economy, the environment and the society. To enhance international dialogue, the PDP-GMR accepts the submission of articles from around the world so as to benefit the advancement of the region. In pursuit of its program, we are eager to promote interdisciplinary dialogue between, anthropology, economics, cultural studies, environmental sciences, management, philosophy, social work, social development, political science, sociology and other disciplines through both empirical and theoretical work. We invite contributions in the form of theoretical papers, research papers and reports that provide commentary on development policy issues, innovative approaches being taken in development policy and reports of v

5 field testing of innovations in research, theory and policy development. Empirical papers may be qualitative as well as quantitative and action research-oriented. We also invite theoretical papers that are not confined to deductive models of inquiry. Papers that would suggest more generalizable insights into development policy and attempt to be pragmatic and action-oriented will be preferred over narrowly specialized work. While firmly committed to the highest standards of scholarly excellence, the PDP-GMR encourages discussion of the practical and ethical dimensions of policy development, administration and evaluation, with the intention to contribute to both the advancement of policy and the building of a good economy in a good society. The first volume contains a variety of papers that do justice to the goals of the Journal. The authors come from a variety of disciplines and from countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, Scotland, Thailand and Vietnam. The articles cover a wealth of subject areas. This initial volume contains articles that focus on largely on concepts of community development and policy processes; they encompass perspectives on poverty and globalization; a model for community and national well-being; issues related to national aspects of social planning; cultural change and social development; integrated literacy and life quality programs; community-based tourism. The subject areas contain areas of development policy context, practice and evaluation. I hope you enjoy the material in the first volume, with your endurance and assistance, I hope we can improve the quality and reach of the journal and to give voice to those who are involved and affected by development policies. We see it necessary that government agencies, policy makers, people involved in business, academics, members of NGOS, community groups and others involved in civil society to help shape the development of policies that affect people in communities. Robert U. Doyle, PhD, TESL vi