4.1 Introduction
4.2 Development of the Thailand Unit
4.2.1 Themes of the Unit
4.2.2 Concepts and Group Work Task of the Unit
(a) Year 2009 | |
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Approach | Project finding |
Instruction | “Based on your own interests, and using the preliminary assignments, lectures and fieldwork during the field program, find a problem to be solved and set concrete objectives for the group work theme. Each group has to frame the work structure to be accomplished by the end of the field exercise, then present conclusions, solutions, and proposals.” |
(b) Year 2011 | |
Approach | Approach finding |
Instruction | 1. Invent sustainability indicators for sustainable urban water use and management 2. Apply the indicators to measure and evaluate the current situation in Bangkok 3. Find problems in the current situation using the evaluations 4. Based on the analysis, come up with solutions for improvement and develop plans for sustainable urban water use and management for the year 2030 in Bangkok |
4.2.3 Content Development of the Unit
4.2.4 Educational Methods
4.3 Implementation of the Thailand Unit
4.3.1 Participants
UT | AIT | KU | |
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(a) Year 2009 | |||
Number of participants | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Gender | 4 male, 2 female | 3 male, 3 female | 1 male, 4 female |
Nationality | 4 Japanese, 1 Filipino, 1 Bolivian | 2 Pakistani, 2 Nepali, 1 German, 1 Thai | 5 Thai |
(b) Year 2011 | |||
Number of participants | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Gender | 4 male, 1 female | 2 male, 3 female | 2 male, 3 female |
Nationality | 1 Japanese, 2 Chinese, 1 Indian, 1 Nepali | 1 Chinese, 1 Nepali, 1 American, 1 Thai, 1 Sri Lankan | 5 Thai |
4.3.2 Program Schedule of the Unit
4.3.2.1 Thailand Unit 2009
4.3.2.2 Thailand Unit 2011
4.4 Results and Reviews of the Thailand Unit
4.4.1 Group Work Results
Group 1 | Title: Sustainable E-waste management in developing countries—economic benefits and health risks [2] |
Abstract: Focusing on the health issue of solid waste, proper E-waste management systems in developing countries were discussed. The objectives were to propose a safe E-waste recycling system at the local level with lower risk for workers and the environment, especially using case studies in China and Thailand, and to show their advantages and disadvantages. Health risks and environmental impact in China and successful E-waste management at the Suan Kaew temple in Nonthaburi were reviewed. E-waste recycling creates job opportunities in developing countries, saves resources, and at the same time gives the underprivileged access to electric and electronic equipment. However, most people there work under poor conditions due to a lack of awareness and understanding of occupational health regulations. The institutionalization of E-waste management, including training on health risks and guidelines for adequate working conditions, can help overcome the negative impact. | |
Group 2 | Title: Sustainable vision for SWM in Bangkok [3] |
Abstract: Through the field visits, problems were identified in improper waste management in each unit operation resulting unsanitary conditions and low quality of life (QOL). The objective was to develop a vision for sustainable SWM aiming at overall improvement of the whole management system in Bangkok through intensive discussion on how to achieve the vision at this transition stage—from the current situation towards the goal. According to the analysis of waste flow in Bangkok, it turned out that there is strong potential to improve all the steps of SWM. Big problems include an ineffective infrastructure and lack of awareness and knowledge by workers and householders. Cooperation with the public and private sectors is also needed. Furthermore, the “informal sector” has great potential to do recycling in more effective ways as a business. We know that a developing country can’t change quickly and that this requires step-by-step improvements. So, we will rethink the current system, improve existing facilities, try to reorganize the whole system and arrive at a future vision. Involving local people makes the system more practical in real society. We have to consider not only the management and technical problems but also the social systems. This should be the most effective way for proper, integrated SWM. | |
Group 3 | Title: GHG emission reduction potential in a solid waste disposal site—a case study of the Sainoi landfill [4] |
Abstract: Reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from the landfill was the main challenge. The objectives were to estimate baseline GHG emissions from the landfill site and to estimate emission reduction by considering three scenarios: flaring, generating electricity from captured biogas, and incineration using a LCA approach. The findings were that CH4 accounts for 84% of all of the GHG emissions. Recovery of CH4 would have a large effect on GHG reduction (75%). Therefore, methane gas collection is an important factor [technique]. CH4 flaring would reduce GHG emissions by 22%. The GHG emission potential for electricity generation in Thailand is larger than Japan. Therefore Thailand has more incentive to use landfill gas to generate electricity compared with Japan. Incineration can reduce up to 75% of GHG emissions. If incineration is introduced, it emits a greater amount of N2O, so technology for reducing N2O emissions is also important. If we used a factor in Thailand especially for CH4 emissions from landfills, the result would be altered. In such a case, incentives for introducing CH4 collection or incineration systems would be large. Based on the LCA analysis results, a scenario for the recovery and use of landfill gas for generating electricity had the largest emission reduction potential. |
Group 1 | Title: A framework for analysis of wastewater management system in Bangkok metropolitan area using sustainability indicators [5] |
Abstract: In order to deal with wastewater, safeguard public health, and protect the natural environment in a sustainable way, a framework for analysis of the management system using sustainability indicators is needed to evaluate and improve the current system. The wastewater management system mainly includes wastewater collection and treatment. Sustainability indicators were used to consider the environmental, economic and social factors—employing the Drivers–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) methodology—for the seven existing wastewater treatment plants and the entire wastewater management system in Bangkok. Among the three factors (above), only the investment item in the economic factors was positive. The other items were evaluated as negative and far from satisfactory for sustainable operation. The current bad water quality is also threatening public health and natural sustainability. Finding problems is easier than solving them. Both Bangkok’s government and its citizens face big challenges: How to improve people’s awareness to change their own lifestyle; how to sustain and manage the wastewater treatment plants; how to design treated water reuse plans; how to improve treatment technology with less energy (less money); how to popularize and deepen sustainable education; and how to create more job opportunities and improve personal incomes together with the increasing need for higher living standards and the needs of the surrounding environment. | |
Group 2 | Title: Challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable urban water use and management in Bangkok 2030: proposal for sustainability indicators [6] |
Abstract: The goal is to define sustainability indicators for urban water use. Managing the quantification of that sustainability using multidimensional indicators is a complicated issue. In Bangkok, annual water demand is growing at 8 %. At the same time, the quantity of wastewater has been increasing at a much faster rate. Currently only about 50 % (at a maximum) of the total wastewater is treated in Bangkok. As well, there are other problems that urgently require improvement, such as a fresh water shortage, and flooding and deterioration of water quality in the dry season. Not only technical issues but also socio-cultural issues must be considered in greater detail. Public acceptance of reusing reclaimed water is a major concern, no matter how good the quality. Effective communication among all the stakeholders—mainly from the government, public, industrial, and economic sectors—is crucial in setting up sustainable urban water use and management. Based on a review of these current problems, the following suggestions were made: a commitment at the policy level for sustainable urban water use and management, improvements in wastewater collection, promotion of energy and water-saving technologies, and the promotion of using reclaimed water. | |
Group 3 | Title: Improving Quality of Life (QOL) for Bangkok’s citizen through sustainable water use and management [7] |
Abstract: Bangkok is one of the urban and economic mega-centers in Asia. But the prosperity of Bangkok comes with urban hurdles, especially infrastructure and environmental weaknesses. The increasing gap between supply and demand is posing a greater threat and the city is presently facing multiple threats to its water environment, including deteriorating water quality (ground and surface water), water accessibility, wastewater management, water governance, saltwater intrusion, etc. Discussions were held that identified indicators, grouped into three categories; water and wastewater management, integrated water management, and governance. Discussions were also held to find the correlation between urban poverty and water environment, and to find out the influence of the degrading water environment on the quality of life (QOL) of Bangkok’s citizens. Taking QOL as the representative indicator, the objective of the proposal development was to improve QOL for Bangkok’s citizens by creating a mechanism for sustainable water use and management. The physical, social, and environmental dimensions of QOL were investigated, and the final outcome was formulated with both short-term and long-term holistic recommendations towards 2030 for the categories of water and wastewater management, as well as integrated water management and governance. |
4.4.1.1 Thailand Unit 2009
4.4.1.2 Thailand Unit 2011
4.4.2 Reviews of the Unit
Year 2009 | Year 2011 | |
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Strengths | – Nontraditional style of teaching with a blend of the theory, practice, fieldwork and discussion. – “Project finding” approach was effective in seeing a real-world problem with a critical eye and in practicing consensus building. – Group work outcomes were presented at the SEAWE and all the participants could attend the SEAWE, because it was incorporated in the field program. | – Nontraditional style of teaching with a blend of the theory, practice, fieldwork and discussion. – “Approach finding” strategy was effective in developing realistic leadership based on wider knowledge and expertise about a concerning issue. – Improvement of the several weaknesses pointed out in 2009, including better information distribution, longer Q&A time in the lectures, which enhanced interaction between the lectures and students, less pressure of time limitation on students for group project completion, sufficient time for discussion and for the preparation for SEAWE presentation. – Group work outcomes were presented at the SEAWE. |
Weaknesses | – Need for better information/course materials distribution for students – Need for better course management, e.g., more interaction between lecturers and students and among students – Work load was a little too heavy for the students – Despite the good opportunity to coordinate with the symposium, there was a need for enough time between the field program and the symposium presentation for better development of academic results | – More time should be allocated for field activities – More demands on Japanese students from the Thai counterparts |
4.4.3 Environmental Leadership Development in Students
Year 2009 |
“Specific knowledge by itself doesn’t change the situation. Knowledge, vision, and communication skills are all needed to solve real-world problems.” “The group dilemma is a microcosm of what is happening in the real world. Policymakers spend too much time debating what should be done, leaving little time for how it will be done. Building consensus, therefore, is a skill that an environmental leader should possess in order to get things done.” “There is an inconsistency in waste segregation in Thailand, which is not unique to the country. The Thai government promotes segregation at the source. However, waste collectors just mixed the waste. It is therefore necessary for environmental leaders to conduct training and education for workers and the public so that they will better able to understand and share the same goal as management.” “For environmental leadership development, it is necessary to have a healthy attitude and enthusiasm to try to understand other technologies, cultures, and points of view.” |
Year 2011 |
“Things that worked effectively for leadership skill improvement were visualization of your concept, your attitude to initiate for the progress, such as action plan formulation and promotion of mutual understandings.” “In each group, from time to time, some naturally leading people were observed, who were equipped with the power to convince other group members and set clear steps first and head for a consensus on the framework building of the topic. In such an environment, humanity was important for inclusion of all the members.” “Through the experience of the field exercise, the leadership and solution process was thought out and organized to be like the following: Learn the problem → Visualize the concept and theme → Develop a clear vision → Discuss with team of experts and various stakeholders → Develop a consensus → Reach out to the masses for their feedback → Modify the outcome using the feedback from the masses → Implementation.” “Even when consensus building was difficult among group members, patience, the ability to listen to others, an analytical mind and tenacity were there with everyone to convey their thoughts and listen to others for the best possible outcome. Many of the essential leadership skills seemed to be already in place with the participants but in a sporadic fashion. The success of the program was that it was able to gather the sporadic skills in a constructive way and helped everyone to augment their skills and overcome their deficiencies.” |