Abstract:
The research aimed to 1) develop sustainable development indicators of highland Karen communities 2) analyze a transformative process to sustainable development of highland Karen communities and 3) provide a guideline for the learning process for transformation to sustainable development of highland Karen communities. The results showed that there were 4 sustainable development indicators. These included conserving beliefs and values in relation to nature, conserving traditional rice growing process, conserving local wisdom in natural resources management and conserving community ethics. These indicators were holistic in nature and responded to the six needs of the communities, i.e. adequate rice for consumption, adequate water, fertile forest, fairness, balancing of income and expenses and being in good health. The highland Karen communities were affected by the national development policy that emphasized economic growth. Traditional learning was replaced by modern learning methods. As a consequence, highland Karen communities have changed in their beliefs and attitudes and have paid less attention to local traditions and wisdom. Rice growing in the traditional way decreased while economic crops increased and natural resources were destroyed. In order to sustainably develop highland Karen communities, it would be necessary to restore the 7 moral values of the community. These measures included upholding natural resources, gratitude, sufficiency, fairness, helping and caring for each other, paying respect to the elder and good people, and participating in community work. In addition, 12 types of local wisdom should be preserved. Two types of modern knowledge including health care and community management should be applied. For the learning process, 4 methods of community traditional learning should be combined with modern education by placing the community at the center. Official leaders and natural leaders should coordinate their roles in order to drive the community development and at the same time to preserve community culture.