In this workshop led by Charles Phang, a broadcast journalist and Senior Producer with Channel NewsAsia, participants will be divided into groups to brainstorm and devise solutions to the problems discussed. Following the presentation of these solutions, the workshop leader will then play 2 excerpts from the Channel NewsAsia Documentary Series, Tapestry: The Heart of ASEAN, which would each detail solutions adopted by some of ASEAN’s member states to a few of the problems discussed. The screening of each video will be followed by a short discussion and Question & Answer session.
Protecting ASEAN’s Rice Bowl
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia. Majority of the ASEAN member states remain heavily dependent on the agricultural sector as an engine of growth for their respective economies, as well as for their daily needs.
To date, this vital sector contributes 25% of ASEAN’s total GDP, and is a source for 25% of the region’s jobs. And although several Southeast Asian nations are embracing concepts such as Industry 4.0 and SMART City, the dependence on agricultural is unlikely to change.
However, ASEAN countries are faced with the need to adapt their agricultural practices to growing trends such as urban development which has seen farming space across ASEAN constantly being reduced; and the advancement of farming technology which gives corporations and wealthy farmers a competitive edge over those who are less well-off. In some farms, the introduction of technology might lead to the laying off of workers. But on the other hand, by not embracing technology farm owners and farm workers who rely on traditional farming methods might find themselves left behind. These trends have created a constant struggle for farmers in the region to stay relevant.
There’s also the perennial problem of climate change. ASEAN is constantly facing the wrath of nature’s fury. Countries such as Thailand and Indonesia, two of the region’s largest exporters of Southeast Asian staples such as rice are forced to grapple with natural disasters like flood on an almost annual basis, which severely threaten food production.
The need to safeguard ASEAN’s literal rice bowl is also critical for non- food producing countries like Singapore who are heavily dependent on rice and vegetables grown on our neighbours’ lands to survive. To make matters worse, Singapore wastes more food than it produces- generating an average of 800,000 tonnes of food waste a year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Workshop breakdown:
Introduction: 5 Minutes
Breakout session: 15 minutes
Group Presentations: 15 minutes
Introduction to Case Study in Bandung, Indonesia and Video screening: 15 minutes
Q & A and discussion of Video 1: 5 minutes
Introduction to Case Study in Singapore, and Video Screening: 15 minutes
Q & A and discussion of Video 2: 5 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Breakout session:
Groups will be assigned one of the following problems:
-
Advancement of technology and impact on local farmers
-
Urban development and reduction in farming space
-
Climate change and damage to crops
-
Food security- Dependence of countries like Singapore on food-producing neighbours
-
Food wastage
Each group is then encouraged to brainstorm and devise a presentation which covers:
-
The problem, and its impact on the local community
-
One or two possible solutions to the problem
-
Potential challenges to executing these solutions
-
What’s required to make these solutions a reality
Each group is given 15 minutes to come up with a 1-2 minute presentation. Groups can choose to focus on any ASEAN country of their choice for that particular problem.
Making Sustainability a Reality
In recent years, increased digital connectivity has spelt a huge transformation for Asean economies. Infrastructure needs have grown, the nature of jobs have evolves, and the standards of living today contrast sharply with those of the past.
Across the region, some common trends are obvious. Singapore is paying increased attention to concepts such SMART nation; Thailand is embracing Industry 4.0, and Indonesia has announced its 2020 vision- to become ASEAN’s largest digital economy.
Another trend that can be observed across ASEAN is a massive infrastructure boom, as countries seek to boost economic and social development as well as reduce poverty. Once built, these projects will be locked in for decades and will determine the success of the region – it is therefore crucial that ASEAN countries get it right.
How? ASEAN needs to put sustainable development at the front and centre of its growth plans.
Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. ASEAN growing population – estimated to reach 741 million by 2035 has already been exerting pressure on the bloc’s natural resources.
This has resulted in numerous transboundary environmental issues such as air, haze, water and land pollution, along with the depletion of natural resources and biological diversity.
Did you know that Southeast Asia has some of the world’s richest biodiversity? It is home to some of the most dense forests on Earth and the epicenter of the world’s marine biodiversity.
But all this is under constant threat: some parts of the region are projected to lose up to 98 per cent of their remaining forests over the next nine years.
And ASEAN’s marine haven is also constantly facing threats such as unsustainable fishing, pollution and climate change.
ASEAN’S tough balancing act between environmental sustainability and economic development is also made more difficult by the over consumption of resources, waste generation and poor waste management.
These are problems we have known for years. The question is how can ASEAN’s populations convert rhetoric such as environmental sustainability into reality, and prove that development doesn’t always have to come at the expanse of the environment?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Workshop breakdown:
Introduction: 5 Minutes
Breakout session: 15 minutes
Group Presentations: 15 minutes
Introduction to Case Study in Davao, Philippines and Video screening: 10 minutes
Q & A and discussion of Video 1: 5 minutes
Introduction to Case Study in Lobo, Batangas in The Philippines, and Video Screening: 15 minutes
Q & A and discussion of Video 2: 5 minutes
​
*If there’s time, a 3rd Case Study Video can be played
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Breakout session:
Groups will be assigned one of the following problems:
-
Transboundary pollution (e.g. haze)
-
Disappearing forests
-
Overconsumption of resources
-
Pollution caused by improper waste management
-
Depletion of marine biodiversity (e.g. unsustainable fishing)
Each group is then encouraged to brainstorm and devise a presentation which covers:
-
The problem, and its impact on the local community
-
One or two possible solutions to the problem
-
Potential challenges to executing these solutions
-
What’s required to make these solutions a reality
Each group is given 15 minutes to come up with a 1-2 minute presentation. Groups can choose to focus on any ASEAN country of their choice for that particular problem.
