News & Events

The Conference on Practice and Research on Solidarity Economy and Sustainable Development was successfully held from 6 to 9 August 2025 at the Chiang Dao Basecamp Cafe & Resort, Chiang Dao, Thailand. This event was organised by the China and Global Development Network (CGDN) of the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Peking University - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Cina Social Work Research Centre, and the Borderless Friendship Foundation.

This international gathering brought together over 50 practitioners, scholars and community representatives from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Belt Road countries of Kazakhstan and Thailand. The conference aimed to explore how solidarity economy initiatives address pressing challenges such as social inequality, economic disparity and environmental degradation, while building a network committed to empowering local communities and shaping a sustainable future.

Prof. KU Hok Bun, Director of CGDN, delivered the opening speech, introducing the philosophy of the solidarity economy and explaining its potential as an alternative solution to pressing social issues. The conference showcased a diverse range of practices across regions. Practitioners from the Chinese Mainland shared innovative models and experiences of developing solidarity economy initiatives in regions including Guizhou, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan and Xinjiang. They highlighted on-the-ground innovative practices for fostering the solidarity economy, emphasised the importance of mobilising local communities and enhancing community cohesion and discussed strategies for promoting sustainable livelihoods while protecting the natural environment.

Practitioners from the Hong Kong Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service provided valuable insights on fostering collaborations among NGOs to promote gender equality and economic inclusion in densely populated urban areas. Additionally, Taiwan’s Co-Life Home presented an integrated approach to livelihood, family life and faith, highlighting the significance of building self-worth and resilience in marginalised communities.

Scholars from Thailand and Kazakhstan also contributed to the conference by sharing their respective efforts in advancing solidarity economy development in both countries. Prof. Surichai WUN’GAEO from Chulalongkorn University discussed how the Sufficiency Economy philosophy proposed by King Bhumibol can be applied to address the global biodiversity crisis and shift development paradigms toward sustainability. Prof. Wasan PANYAGAEEW from Chiang Mai University shared experiences in mobilising community engagement and promoting cultural development in a northern Thai settlement community. Dr Aizhan SHABDENOVA and Dr Aruzhan SAIMASSAYEVA from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University offered a unique Central Asian perspective, highlighting structural efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nationally, alongside a distinctive Muslim women-led solidarity economy model at the local level.

On 8 August, conference participants visited Nong Keo Village, located on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, to learn about the Thai Royal Project’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and a micro-credit saving initiative established by local villagers. They also explored Leadership Home, a youth and community development project by the Borderless Friendship Foundation in Chiang Dao, which made significant contributions to protecting vulnerable children and youth and promoting sustainable development in Northern Thailand’s hill tribe communities. 

The conference concluded with a visit to the iYouth & Social Enterprise project at Haihui Charity Garden in Chiang Mai on 9 August. This social club provides hill tribe youth with opportunities to develop sustainable social and entrepreneurial skills, empowering them to grow into mentors and leaders within their communities.

We appreciate the dedicated support of the local partner, the Borderless Friendship Foundation, which made this successful event possible.