AIRI Regional Forum II

Sustaining Rural Revitalisation: Innovation and Collaboration

Many governments around the world have now considered rural revitalisation an important strategic policy measure to combat global challenges such as urban-rural divide, climate change, and the degradation of natural resources and cultural heritage. So far, most rural revitalisation efforts have focused on disparate challenges faced by rural communities, including the demographic, socio-economic and environmental ones. A more integrated approach which emphasizes the importance of developing long-term resilience and robustness of local communities in dealing with external shocks and disturbances is key to successful rural revitalisation. This regional forum provides a platform for academics and practitioners to share and discuss how innovation and collaboration can help build robustness and resilience of rural communities. Distinguished keynote speakers from Asia-Pacific, who are experts in the academia, nonprofits, social enterprises, and food conglomerates, will share their insights and perspectives on the topic.

WELCOME REMARKS

• Professor Kazuo Yamamoto, President of Asian Institute of Technology

OPENING REMARKS

• Professor Abdul Salam, Dean of the School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology
• Professor Wai-Fung Lam, Director of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

• The Technological Transformation of Food Supply Chains: Public and Private Participation Innovation in Food Production and Distribution
  Dr Sarasin Viraphol, Executive Vice President of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group

• Reflections on Attempts to Search for a Common Strategy for Rural Revitalisation in a Diversified World
  Professor Lam Kin-Che, Adjunct Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Chairperson of Vetting Subcommittee of the HKSAR Government’s Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme

• Balancing Conservation and Livelihood: The Sustainable Rice Project in Jilin Province
  Mr Yuan Jiakai, Founder of Shanghai Ethno Philanthropy Fund

• Rural Ride-sharing Programme for Food Banks: Let the Left Hand’s Warmth Become the Right Hand’s Happiness
  Mr Bill Lin Kun-Cheng, Founder of Guppy Inclusive Ltd.; Chairman of Guppy Technology Co., Ltd.

PANEL DISCUSSION 1: Collaboration and Governance

• Professor Wai-Fung Lam, Director of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong (Moderator)
• Dr Sarasin Viraphol, Executive Vice President of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group
• Professor Lam Kin-Che, Adjunct Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Chairperson of Vetting Subcommittee of the HKSAR Government’s Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme
• Dr Boonsom Namsomboon, Chairperson and Founder of Forward Foundation, Thailand; Secretary General of Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion; Vice President of Khunsawatbhkdi Hyacinthe Foundation
• Professor Yahua Wang, Associate Dean, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University; Executive President, China Institute for Rural Studies, Tsinghua University

PANEL DISCUSSION 2: Social and Business Model Innovation

• Associate Professor Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen, Program Chair of Development Planning Management and Innovation, Department of Development and Sustainability, Asian Institute of Technology (Moderator)
• Mr Yuan Jiakai, Founder of Shanghai Ethno Philanthropy Fund
• Mr Bill Lin Kun-Cheng, Founder of Guppy Inclusive Ltd.; Chairman of Guppy Technology Co., Ltd.
• Ms Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk, Director of Sustainable Development Foundation, Thailand
• Professor Ching-Ping Tang, Vice President for International Cooperation, Chengchi University; Director, University Outreach Office, Chengchi University

CLOSING REMARKS

• Professor Mokbul M. Ahmad, Head of Department of Development and Sustainability, Asian Institute of Technology

Note: A side event of the Forum is the Rural Sustainability in the Asia Pacific Symposium will be held on 24th January 2024 (Wednesday) at 08:00-12:00 Bangkok Time at Robert B Banks Auditorium, AIT Convention Centre, Thailand. Local and international academics and the winners of the AIRI Urban-Rural Sustainability Action Proposal Competition will present on rural sustainability research and rural action projects. Zoom livestreaming is available at: https://ait-ac-th.zoom.us/j/94828647973?pwd=U3Z5b2NtUGJSdmhRY0NVZGcyS0FnUT09