In a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), Chulalongkorn University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, the Chula Art Project, and the World Bank, the workshop produced a white paper titled Family Stability on Top, Stop Demographic Crises.
Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, spearheading the initiative, declared that the comprehensive white paper encapsulates pivotal solutions derived from intensive discussions among executives and representatives from various sectors. These discussions, facilitated through the World Café conversational session, involved public and private sectors, international organisations, experts, academia, and the media.
Highlighted within the white paper are five crucial areas demanding immediate attention and robust measures:
- Empowering Working-age Populations: Prioritising skill development, job creation, and support for work-life balance.
- Enhancing the Quality and Productivity of Children and Youth: Focusing on holistic development and utilising technology for lifelong learning.
- Harnessing the Potential of the Elderly: Turning ageing into an opportunity through health initiatives and age-friendly environments.
- Empowering Persons with Disabilities: Promoting inclusivity through education, employment, and accessibility.
- Creating a Stable Ecosystem for Families: Establishing supportive services, housing, and sustainable living environments.
Varawut affirmed that the white paper, titled Developing Thai Family Security to Strengthen Human Security, will undergo Cabinet review by April, reported KhaoSod English.
Additionally, it is set to be unveiled at the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD57) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from April 29 to May 3.
In related news, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin cautioned that Thailand’s population could plummet from 66 million to a mere 33 million within six decades. This alarming forecast spells out dire consequences for the nation’s economic vitality and security, with the working-age populace dwindling from 46 million to a mere 14 million, according to Somsak.
In other news, the Mekong River, a lifeline stretching almost 5,000 kilometres from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, is under grave threat. A recent report reveals that unsustainable development is severely endangering the river’s health and diverse fish populations. Consequently, one-fifth of the fish species in this Southeast Asian lifeline are on the brink of extinction.
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