Bangkok: The King Prajadhipok Institute recently organized a seminar focused on public policy for managing cultural capital, aiming to drive nation-building through practical government policies.
According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Issara Seriwattanawut, Secretary-General of the King Prajadhipok Institute, led the seminar titled "Public Policy for the Management of Cultural Capital: A Mechanism for Nation-Building in the 21st Century." The event marked the conclusion of a long-term training program designed to foster sustainable change. It was organized in collaboration with the Foundation for Community Empowerment, Culture, and Good Governance.
Associate Professor Issara Seriwattanawut explained that participants in the program include executives from various ministries, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. These individuals bring expertise in their respective fields and an understanding of regional structures. The program encourages collaboration on policy design and provides opportunities for engagement with local communities. With the global economy increasingly valuing identity, creativity, and cultural diversity, culture is viewed as a form of capital that can generate both economic and historical value. The program seeks to ensure that cultural value creation benefits all levels of society, aligning with the King Prajadhipok Institute's commitment to good governance and democracy.
The seminar facilitated discussions on proposed policies, which will be developed into policy proposals and submitted to the Prime Minister's Secretariat. This process aims to incorporate insights from those directly involved in the cultural sectors.
Dr. Thavilwadee Burikul, Deputy Secretary-General of the King Prajadhipok Institute and Chair of the National Executive Training Program in Cultural Capital Management, emphasized that the seminar offers a platform for executives to share their work and explore cultural policy management. The objective is to convert cultural values into economic advantages, creating a national policy framework that is practical and effective. Some local organizations have already initiated this project as a pilot program.
The initiative also seeks to enhance government policies that facilitate collaboration among organizations at various levels. It aims to provide Thai youth with better access to and understanding of their cultural heritage, promoting inclusivity and participation in cultural promotion and utilization in the future.