“Young people today are losing faithand pride in their own community as well as local wisdom.More and more youths leave for the big citiesand finally walk into the traps of capitalism.”

Chockdee Poraloganont,owner of Suan Loong Chock (Forest Farm and Organic Garden),Nakhon Ratchasima Thailand

Caption:

There may be no trace of beauty in old buildings,but instead the ‘true value’ and ‘local knowledge’ have been passed downfrom generation to generation. We have to revalue it.

Place:

Thoong Kwai Gin, Rayong, Thailand

Photographer:

Tawan Pongphat

EDITOR’s Note

Educating Ourselves, Redirecting Our Future

“You have to study hard so that you can get good grades, so that you can entergood a university, then get a good job, get a good salary and achieve your mostdesired dream in the future” These were the lessons that my parents taught mewhen I was little. And I believe that almost everyone had heard these lines whenthey were younger or even until now. But once we got older, we’ve become moreinsightful and curious about our life and everything that surrounds it. We discovermany things, commit mistakes and learn from them. Moreover, we've become moresensitive and critical on events happening in ourselves, family, friends, community,society and around the world. At the end of the day, we somehow become ourbetter selves because of our improved understanding of the world. This is the idealcycle of one's education.Education for the sake of earning a good amount of money, I believe, might not beenough in making us fully capable of changing the world. Real education shouldadvance best aspects of both local and global values. It must inspire young peopleas our future leaders and followers to become good children, active communitymembers and effective citizens. One must understand his/her responsibilities inhelping create a better world for everyone.In 2015, ASEAN Member-States are engaging governments and their peoples in themost awaited “ASEAN Community”. Are WE really ready for this transformation?As I write this editorial page, Southeast Asian youth are still struggling with heapsof personal and social challenges. They are faced with the threats of irresponsibledevelopment projects, discrimination, illnesses, natural disasters, corruption, climatechange, high rates of illiteracy and lack of meaningful spaces for participation. Withthese challenges, still taking place, I couldn't help but wonder, what lies ahead inthe next few years? How can we make a more resilient and effective ASEANcommunity in the next few years? We must acknowledge these realities right nowand, definitely, the answer lies on our hands.Quality education is the basic foundation of our knowledge and wisdom. It is ouronly way to make ourselves capable in improving our lives and the lives of others.Our beloved region is in dire need of young people with the will to learn moreabout life and its wonders, who value their communities, who have deep socialawareness, who are innovative, creative and who respects cultural diversities.This inspiring issue, for and by the youth, on ‘educational alternatives’ aims toencourage YOU, the future leader of ASEAN, to reflect, rethink, relearn and unlearnin order to inspire you to join the movement in redirecting and shaping our thefuture of our region. I strongly hope that we join hands in making a moresustainable and building a more peaceful and a just Southeast Asian region andPlanet Earth! Our ASEAN! Our Spirit! Our Sustainable Community!

Netting Jaruwan Supolrai

Editor