By Dr. Pattamaporn Joompa (Thai team)
The RISE project aims to project current and future risks from climate change and socioeconomic development to the natural capital supporting traditional indigenous socioecological systems (ISS). We, therefore, place importance in organizing activities to create mutual understanding among relevant stakeholders in our study areas. During last December 13-19, the project launched an introductory workshop organized at Pornpailin Riverside Resort, Sangklaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province.
December 14, 2021 ─ Government organizations, representatives from villages in Laiwo Subdistrict, and working groups from the study communities (Sanephong and Koh Sadueng villages) gathered together to participate in the project launch activities. We presented the effects of climate change on human livelihood of all living things. The Thai team, led by Assoc. Prof. Wantanee Kriengsinyos (join online), clarified the project goals, as well as, approaches that will be conducted over the next three years. We also introduced working teams from both Japan and Russia, who were not able to assist in person due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, and played a video clip of the Russian study area that caught the attention of the attendees a lot. Discussion groups were conducted by Assoc. Prof. Solot Sirisai and Dr. Kritsada Boonchai where stakeholders and researchers had the opportunity to discuss relevant issues with our project members more deeply.
As part of the opening events of the research project, 'Uncle Jee', a local philosopher of Sanephong Village, play music with a musical instrument called “Nadek Tunu” - a folk harp with a hornbill's head. This show created a warm, relaxing atmosphere and symbolized the beginning of learning about the Karen ethnic lifestyle and culture for us (outsiders and researchers).
In addition to clarifying the project, building mutual understanding, and getting to know the local stakeholders, this was a process to build familiarity and understanding among team members with expertise in widely different disciplines. Building interdisciplinary understanding is another key point in ensuring the smooth running of the project. Each evening during that time, the research team conducted a collaborative learning process called “lesson learned” in order to learn what has been done in the past and if there is anything that needs to be adjusted urgently. Suggestions were also provided so that we could plan for the next day's activities.
December 15 - 18, 2021 ─ Three different parts of the project were covered over these four days:
WP1: Training local research assistants for using the socioeconomic questionnaires. Ms. Prapa Kongpunya and Dr. Pattamaporn Joompa, responsible for the questionnaire development together with the Japanese team, explained the purpose of collecting the WP1 data by using the questionnaire and how to fill in the questionnaire. After practicing the questionnaire with their partners, participants discussed with the researchers the obstacles when interviewing real villagers in order to tailor the questionnaire to better fit their community context. In addition, the researchers asked about the constraints based on the community context to design with local research assistants for field visits to obtain the most complete data during the time of implementation.
WP2: Describe the process of collecting information on nutritional status assessments. Dr. Sueppong Gowachirapant, responsible for the WP2 in Thailand, explained the methods of nutritional status assessments and procedures of data collection as part of the WP2 and consulted with local research assistants for information on the actual site-based data collection design. This is needed because collecting the food frequency questionnaire of seasonal local foods requires a list of the natural foods (i.e. plants and animals) that can be harvested during that season.
WP3: Training local research assistants for collection of food species distribution data. Ms. Sinee Chotiboriboon and Mrs. Sasasoung Laraskulchai, in coordination with the Japanese team, were responsible for explaining this part of the work to the local research assistants who volunteered to help collect this data. In order to collect the data on the distribution of traditional food species, the volunteers were trained on the use of a GPS device, a tool to record and report the locations of certain food species, including plants or fruits, and small animals (i.e. fish, shellfish, insect), they usually collect during their normal subsistence activities. This data will be used later for developing statistical models for predicting the distribution of these species.
The planned activities were accomplished with great success, partly due to the effective coordination of Mrs. Charana Sapsuwan who helped with the coordination and organization including contacting local government agencies and community representatives. In addition, Ms. Nattapach Thongkam participated in the observation and collection of opinions and interesting issues arising during the various activities organized at the event with the purpose of organizing later an activity for the Thai team to take lessons learned from the research project to analyze and synthesize the outcome of the event as well as explicit knowledge that can be useful for further research in this field.
The Thai team hopes that this activity will be a good starting point for the collaboration between researchers, communities, and government organizations to achieve project goals to understand the complex relationships among climate change, socioeconomic development, and the traditional food system, which is crucial for informing adaptation and sustainability strategies of indigenous socioecological systems.
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