16.2.4 Participatory bodies for stakeholder engagement
Metric: University governance measures
Ensure that local stakeholders in the university – including local residents, local government, and civil society representativels (which may include groups such as refugee resettlement agencies) – have a meaningful mechanism or for participating in university decision making.
Project: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Master Plan for Spatial Development of Songkhla and Pattani Provinces
Background
According to the Cabinet Resolution on December 14, 2021, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and relevant agencies were assigned to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and prepare master plans under the initiative to expand the “Triangle of Stability, Prosperity, and Sustainability” model city project to the fourth model city—Chana District, Songkhla Province—designated as the **“Model City for the Industrial Development of the Future.”
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) serves as a tool to support decision-making in planning processes by taking into account economic, social, and environmental factors in a balanced manner. It also emphasizes the importance of participation from all relevant stakeholders to achieve sustainable development.
In principle, an effective SEA should be conducted prior to development activities or before conflicts arise. Therefore, implementing the SEA as per the Cabinet Resolution of December 14, 2021—given that differing opinions have already emerged—must be carried out with caution and through collaboration among all sectors.
Implementation in 2024 (B.E. 2567)
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Additionally, the university has issued an announcement regarding measures to encourage stakeholder participation as follows:
