The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) and the Faculty of Forest Science at the National University of Laos (NUOL) hosted the “Creative and Just Environment and Climate Change Engagement” workshop in Vientiane from August 5 to 9, 2024. Part of the “Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Under-represented Scholars of Asia” initiative by the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) and supported by SIDA, the workshop brought together participants from Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. This diverse group included university lecturers, NGO practitioners, researchers, Master’s and Ph.D. candidates, artists, writers, and media professionals.
The workshop offered a mix of lectures, discussions, and field investigations, where participants engaged in examining the impacts of environmental change on local communities. Expert-led sessions delved into topics such as climate justice, political ecologies, and governance, fostering rich interdisciplinary dialogue. The event also served as a valuable networking platform, with selected participants given the opportunity to present their work at future AAS Symposiums, broadening their exposure to international research networks