First International Conference Know Your Power: Towards a Participatory Approach for Sustainable Power Development in the Mekong Region Organized by Mekong Energy and Ecology Network (MEE Net) Mekong Studies Center, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University and Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC), University of Turku Chumbhot-Pantip Conference Room, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, 18-19 January 2012 Rationale The Mekong region is undergoing a period of intense economic and social development as the economies in the region continue their rapid growth. Regional economic integration has become the dominant discourse through which this development is viewed and also sets the decision-making framework. The power sector is at the cornerstone of this development; however, the sector is highly complex and involves many actors, issues and regional differences. Furthermore, there is a fear that the social and environmental impacts of this rush towards integration within the power sector may have been overlooked or only superficially examined and that more financially and environmentally sustainable power alternatives have not been given adequate consideration. The opinions and voices of those who will feel the impacts most are often also excluded from the decision-making process. Aims The aim of the conference is to examine the interlinkages between energy and development by examining the multitude of actors, their roles and influence within the power sector. Likewise, the strategies being pursued and the planning underpinning these strategies will be examined and a variety of alternatives presented. The second day of the conference aims to present these issues within a regional context and to link them to the wider discourse on power issues within the broader context of sustainability. Finally, the aim is to present recommendations on the way forward to achieve more sustainable power development in the Mekong region. The participants will include academics, NGOs, independent researchers and representatives from government and donor organisations as well as journalists. Know Your Power: Towards a Participatory Approach for Sustainable Power Development in the Mekong Region 18-19 January 2012 Wednesday 18 January 2012 08.30–09.00 Registration at Chulalongkorn University 09.00–09.15 Welcome Speech Representative of Chulalongkorn University 09.15–09.30 Opening remarks Director, Mekong Energy and Ecology Network 09.30–11.30 Panel Session 1: Centralized Power Sector Development; Trade and Security Beyond Country Borders Palang Thai and MEE Net* (Break during the session) 11.30-12.00 Panel session 2: Recommendations for Energy Efficiency in the Region Asia Nexant Inc. 12.00 - 13.15 Group photo session and lunch 13.15–15.00 Panel Session 3: State Power Sector Expansion Independent researcher (Vietnam) Burma River Network, MEE Net and University of Sydney 15.00-15.15 Break 15.15-16.30 Panel Session 4: Decentralized Power Sector Development Palang Thai and MEE Net Alumni Thursday 19 January 2012 8.30–9.00 Registration at Chulalongkorn University 09.00–10.30 Panel Session 5: State Power Sector Expansion: Off‐grid Rural Electrification HELVETAS (Laos), REAM (Myanmar) PORDEA (Laos) and Border Green Energy Team 10.30- 10.45 Break 10.45 – 12.15 Panel Session 6: Towards Mekong Power Sector Sustainability: Financial Perspectives Finland Futures Research Centre, Chulalongkorn University and World Bank representative 12.15 – 13.30 Lunch 13.30 – 14.45 Panel Session 7: Towards Mekong Power Sector Sustainability: Reflections and Policy Recommendations AusAid, ADB, GMS representative, MRC representative, Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand and University of Sydney 14.45 – 15.00 Break 15.00 - 15.45 Panel Session 7 (Continue): Open discussion 15.45 – 16.00 Closing session NB: * The institutions referred to in this schedule only indicate the workplaces of the presenters on the panel ** tbc = to be confirmed