More on sufficiency propaganda?

Another sufficiency theory conference, "Sufficiency Economy and Global Transformation: Carving Out a Realistic Path Towards Economic Change", will be held at Chulalongkorn University on 20-21 April. New Mandala website has reported the interesting connection between the co-organizers and partners of the conference.

"Schweisfurth Foundation (Germany) and Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation (Thailand) with Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University; Bangchak Petroleum PLC; Social Venture Network Asia (Thailand); Suan Nguen Mee Ma Co., Ltd.; Public Policy Development Office (PPDO); Heinrich Boell Foundation."

As the site advice, most of the Thai partners have some incestuous relation with Sulak Sivaraksa, Thailand's old time conservationist.

"The Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation has its internet base at Sulak Sivaraksa’s site. It is described as a:

network committed to social justice with ecological vision and based on engaged spirituality and Sulak Sivaraksa, Our Founder, Honouring seventy years if living and working for justice, peace, democracy and sustainable livelihoods. [That’s what the site says!]

The Suan Nguen Mee Ma Co., Ltd is also part of the Sulak stable:

Setting up the company named Suan Nguen Mee Ma or Garden of Fruition is a logical step in order to engage in longer term perspectives with local and village communities threatened by loss of livelihood. We aim to share economic interdependence with the underprivileged and to develop a continuous commitment to a lifestyle of self-reliance.

SVN Asia also seems to have links with Sulak, listing the Suan Nguen Mee Ma as one of its contact addresses in Thailand."

The blogger has also stated the purpose of the post.

"I am not suggesting anything untoward in this sufficiency network. But I do wonder how useful the sufficiency seminar will be when most of the key participants seem to be singing from much the same song book. University sponsored events should be prompting critical and diverse perspectives. This looks more like a love-in."

And for myself, not that I'm against the sufficiency theory or something. But I'm really doubt how we gonna benefit from theory that we don't even have the right to asked how does it really work?

For full story, visit New Mandala's website.