Unit for
Social and
Environmental 
Research
 Last Update: 23 Jan 2011
 Editor: Louis Lebel
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M-POWER U-TURN SPACES WALKS ERA

WALKS - Wellbeing, Alternative Livelihoods and Knowledge Systems

Purpose and Approach

The WALKS program focuses on improving well-being and livelihood opportunities of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

We use a combination of approaches from participatory action research, partnerships with others through to capacity building activities aimed at grass-root and local government actors.

We have looked carefully at economic and social issues in low-income households paying special attention to interactions between innovation, science & technology, emerging markets and practical knowledge.

Most empirical studies have been conducted in two distinct and widely separated areas of Thailand: (1) rural communities in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand; (2) coastal fisher and aquaculturalist communities in Nakhon-sri-thammarat, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Trang and Krabi provinces in southern Thailand. This later work has included studies of recovery process following the Indian Ocean Tsunami.  We have also carried out several comparative studies in collaboration with research groups in neighbouring countries.

Our theoretical contributions have focused on integrating the idea of sustainable livelihoods with the application of resilience-style system analysis at the household level. We have found these concepts helpful in operationalizing ideas about sustainable livelihoods in volatile and otherwise dynamic social, political and ecological contexts.

   Photo Gallery
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   Websites
ISTS - Initiative on Science and Technology for Sustainability  Was created to support and follow-up the WSSD+10 process. It focusses on finding better ways to link knowledge and action for sustainbility with an emphasis on the contributions made by research. On-line forum and database of sustainability science research activities and groups. (5)
SUMERNET - Sustainable Mekong Research Network  Is a growing community of researchers committed to accelerating the implementation of policies that foster greater sustainability in the Mekong region. Key issues covered include the management of ecosystem services, options for local livelihoods, transboundary development, energy and climate change adaptation. (7)
MEA - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment  Was an international assessment process involving researchers from around the world to examine the status, trends and future of the world's ecosystems and the implications of change on human well-being. (9)
   Events

13 Apr 11 - 15 Apr 11
Knowledge, learning, and societal change: finding paths to a sustainable future Grindelwald, Switzerland.( IHDP ) (260)

21 Apr 08 - 26 Apr 08
Asia-Pacific Forestry Week. Hanoi, Vietnam.( FAO ) (165)

14 Apr 08 - 16 Apr 08
International Science and Policy Conference on Resilience 2008: Resilience, Adaptation and Transformation in Turbulent Times. Stockholm, Sweden.( RA, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, ICSU, SEI, The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics ) (139)

   Publications     

Lebel L, Wattana S, Talerngsri P, Koonphol S, Lertsukekasem B. 2012. Assessment of ecosystem services and human wellbeing: potential and limitations for strategic regional planning in Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2012-05. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (521) WP-2012-05

Lebel, L., and S. Naruchaikusol, M. Juntopas. 2011. Transboundary flows of resources, people, goods and services in the Mekong Region. USER Working Paper WP-2011-01. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (505) WP-2011-01

Lebel L , Rattanawilailak S, Lebel P 2010. Lazy gardens: A sustainability experiment in the uplands of northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2010-07. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (504) WP-2010-07

   Projects
Mae Hae Watershed Study  Management of the Mae Hae watershed has become more challenging with advent of dry season sprinkler irrigation. Our research covers the intersection between water governance institutions, use of ecosystem services, and various aspects of culture, gender relations and technological innovation. (54)
UNDP-SGA  Multi-centre study carrying out sub-global ecosystem assessments in three provinces (Nan, Khon Khaen, Samut Songkram) in Thailand (58)