Sombath Somphone: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Sombath Somphone was born into a poor farming family, the eldest of 8 brothers and sisters. He studied part of his high school in Wisconsin, USA. In the early 1970s he received a scholarship to study at the [[University of Hawaii]] where he received a Bachelors degree in [[Education]] (1974) and a Masters degree in [[Agriculture]] (1978).<ref>[http://www.saobancrafts.com/our-story/our-founder Sombath Somphone: Farmer, Scholar, Scientist, Community Developer]</ref> |
Sombath Somphone was born into a poor farming family, the eldest of 8 brothers and sisters. He studied part of his high school in [[Wisconsin]], USA. In the early 1970s he received a scholarship to study at the [[University of Hawaii]] where he received a Bachelors degree in [[Education]] (1974) and a Masters degree in [[Agriculture]] (1978).<ref>[http://www.saobancrafts.com/our-story/our-founder Sombath Somphone: Farmer, Scholar, Scientist, Community Developer]</ref> |
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Returning to his home country after the establishment of the [[Laos#Independence|Lao People's Democratic Republic]], Sombath’s earliest work was to demonstrate methods of [[sustainable farming]] that contribute to [[food security]]. He also pioneered the use of [[participatory rural appraisal]] techniques in Laos. In 1996 he was given permission by the Ministry of Education to establish the Participatory Development Training Center, PADETC, to provide training for young people and local government officials in community-based development. For some years, this was the only [[civil society organisation]] of this kind in Laos.<ref>[http://saoban.dreamhosters.com/wp-content/uploads/padetc_10_years.pdf PADETC - 10 years in balance (report)]</ref> |
Returning to his home country after the establishment of the [[Laos#Independence|Lao People's Democratic Republic]], Sombath’s earliest work was to demonstrate methods of [[sustainable farming]] that contribute to [[food security]]. He also pioneered the use of [[participatory rural appraisal]] techniques in Laos. In 1996 he was given permission by the Ministry of Education to establish the Participatory Development Training Center, PADETC, to provide training for young people and local government officials in community-based development. For some years, this was the only [[civil society organisation]] of this kind in Laos.<ref>[http://saoban.dreamhosters.com/wp-content/uploads/padetc_10_years.pdf PADETC - 10 years in balance (report)]</ref> |
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Revision as of 11:04, 6 January 2013
Sombath Somphone (Lao: ສົມບັດ ສົມພອນ, born 17 February 1952 in Khammouane Province, Laos) is an internationally acclaimed community development worker and prominent member of Lao civil society.
Biography
Sombath Somphone was born into a poor farming family, the eldest of 8 brothers and sisters. He studied part of his high school in Wisconsin, USA. In the early 1970s he received a scholarship to study at the University of Hawaii where he received a Bachelors degree in Education (1974) and a Masters degree in Agriculture (1978).[1]
Returning to his home country after the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Sombath’s earliest work was to demonstrate methods of sustainable farming that contribute to food security. He also pioneered the use of participatory rural appraisal techniques in Laos. In 1996 he was given permission by the Ministry of Education to establish the Participatory Development Training Center, PADETC, to provide training for young people and local government officials in community-based development. For some years, this was the only civil society organisation of this kind in Laos.[2]
Recognition
In 2001, Sombath Somphone received the Human Resource Development Award for empowering the rural poor in Laos from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
In 2005, he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. The citation for his award recognizes his hopeful efforts to promote sustainable development in Laos by training and motivating its young people to become a generation of leaders[3]. Sombath remains the only person from the Lao PDR to receive this award.
In 2010, the East-West Center recognised his work in their anniversay publication '50 Years, 50 Stories'[4]. In 2011, Sombath made the keynote address at the 10th API Regional Workshop; API is a network of Asian Public Intellectuals supported by fellowships from the Nippon Foundation. In 2012, he made the keynote address at the 9th Meeting of the Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF) in Vientiane; the International Organising Committee of the AEPF have called Sombath one of the most respected and influential voices for sustainable people-centred and just economic and social development in Laos[5].
Disappearance
Sombath Somphone was abducted in Vientiane on the evening of 15 December 2012. CCTV footage shows that he was stopped by police and then taken away in a pickup truck.[6] The Lao Government has denied responsibility for his disappearance. [7].
The disappearance of Sombath Somphone was immediately followed by statements of concern from around the world. The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Parliamentarians from Asia and Europe, International NGOs – and many others – have urged the Lao Government to undertake all actions necessary to ensure the safe release of this resepected figure.[8]
References
- ^ Sombath Somphone: Farmer, Scholar, Scientist, Community Developer
- ^ PADETC - 10 years in balance (report)
- ^ The 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, Citation for Sombath Somphone
- ^ Sombath Somphone - Preparing a Generation of Leaders in Laos in 'East West Centre: 50 years, 50 stories', University of Hawaii, 2010
- ^ AEPF statement of concern over the disappearance of Mr. Sombath Somphone
- ^ Lao government confirms possible kidnap of activist.
- ^ 'Statement of the Lao spokesman on the Missing of Mr. Sombath Somphone', KPL news agency, 19 December 2012
- ^ A collection of statements of concern relating to the disappearance of Sombath Somphone