Micro-entrepreneurship Input from the Social Market Economy and Exchange with Local Officials - Foundation Office Thailand
Dr. Nhithivas Kocitchirachot, Traditional doctor at Jirawetchanchai Saha Clinic, presented on COVID-19 and the preparation to live in the post-COVID era. He also shared his experience in operating treatment via herbal and tradition medicine. Some participants also shared their experiences related to traditional treatments while some proposed their ideas about economic opportunities that come from value creation of Thai Herbs and Thai traditional medicine.
Dr. Boonsom Namsomboon, Chairperson of Forward Foundation, introduced Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and its missions, as well as the Forward Foundation (FF) that works on 6 main plans: personnel development, children and youth development, environment preservation, income generation, cultural promotion, and health promotion. She also presented about the concept of ‘Social Market Economy’, which emphasized on three main aspects: environment and sustainability, social equity, and regulatory policy. Thus, the profit in the sense of Social Market Economy should be presented in an equation of prosperity + better quality of life + better social relationship + environment and sustainability.
Ms. Thasuthida Thettong, Project manager of KAS-Thailand had presented about Social Market Economy and Germany’s Regulatory Policy as sources of inspiration for Thailand, emphasizing on legislation and regulation functions that promote fair competition in the German society. She also shared about the dual educational system in Germany, where the students spend most of their time for practicing their vocational skills in companies and business sector, while national and local governments play as facilitators. Dual education served market needs. Thus, this system could solve unemployment and make people live with dignity. After the presentation, for better understanding about fair competitiveness according to Social Market Economy, Forward Foundation team had arranged group dynamic simulation game in which all participants role-played as different actors in the society.
Mr. Pollapat Toncharoen (President of Meabaanyoddoi Community Enterprise) had presented about climate change mitigation to raise awareness and encourage participants to pay more attention on environment care since the crisis causes many layers of insecurity and brings negative effects to the whole world, including job insecurity.
The last session was a demonstration of occupational training that all participants may adopt and apply to their own local development projects. Ms. Boonsai Teeranusont – social worker, introduced the production of organic washing liquid to the participants, which is one of many alternative ways for generating income in small-scaled businesses in local communities. The participants showed their interest in the occupational training, they also received the washing products that they made by themselves.
The workshop evaluation results from Pre and Post-test show that all participants
gained more understanding on Social Market Economy and its input towards occupational job creation, while 70% of them got full marks in the post-test.
