Title: Promoting learning processes for public participation in sustainable development: lessons and experiences from action research in Southern Thailand

Authors: Jawanit Kittitornkool, Peter Burt

Addresses: Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, P.O. Box 50, Kor Hong, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand. ' Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, P.O. Box 50, Kor Hong, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand

Abstract: The Masters Program in Environmental Education at the Prince of Songkla University in Southern Thailand has adopted an approach to combining environmental education with community learning. Students are encouraged to take environmental education by conducting participatory action research in collaboration with communities and schools. It includes development of a learning process to suit target groups and facilitation of related community activities. The degree of success depends on the community capital: natural resources; monetary, social, and human capital; and community wisdom. Environmental educators should be aware of the importance of community capital when developing action processes for sustainable development.

Keywords: learning process; action research; Southern Thailand; community development; sustainable development; sustainability; public participation; environmental education; community learning; community capital.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2006.009381

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2006 Vol.5 No.2, pp.199 - 212

Published online: 24 Mar 2006 *

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