Lao PDR

UNDP News

New issue of Juth Pakai is a must read!

The United Nations Country Team in the Lao PDR is proud to announce the release of the seventh edition of Juth Pakai – a journal dedicated to fostering debate and exchanging ideas on development issues in the Lao PDR. Three of the articles in this issue are the work of Lao authors and women have written 50% of the articles.

Ms. Olivia Yambi, UN Resident Coordinator, ai, said “The contributions, and the overall quality of submissions, are evidence of increased discussion and sharing of ideas about development issues in the Lao PDR.” She added, “Issue 7 is also notable due to the women authors, another mark of satisfaction for the UN Country Team, who would like to encourage more women to add their voices to the public domain.”

In Issue 7, Chithtalath Seng-Amphone highlights schools in ethnic villages in Bokeo Province and shows that more needs to be done to provide rural ethnic villagers with the same quality of education as their urban counterparts.

Electricity is one of the Lao PDR's most profitable exports to the region, but the industry's impact on local communities presents an interesting challenge. In her essay, Pafoualee Leechuefoung explores the impact of hydropower projects on women in areas already affected by dams.

Buddhism's potential to contribute to development is raised in an article by Patrice Ladwig that examines the clergy's traditional and emerging roles in Lao society within the context of development. His research shows that the Buddhist clergy has a great deal to offer to various projects in this country.

The final article, by Sengdeuane Wayakone, offers a practical means of protecting the Luang Prabang's unique and vibrant culture while allowing the travel industry to flourish. His pioneering work – which involves directly approaching Luang Prabang residents to gauge their attitudes towards tourism – and the other articles published in Issue 7 of Juth Pakai are all a “must read!”

Published in Lao and English, Juth Pakai (meaning “Eureka!”” in the Lao language); promotes discussion of development issues in the Lao PDR, serves as a platform for knowledge networking and is a means of investing in human capacity.