On 30 October 2019, Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Director-General of the Department of International Organisations, delivered an opening remarks at a Talk titled “Talk of the Cloud 04: Motivators for Sustainability,” co-organised by Department of International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and The Cloud Magazine, at Lido Connect, Siam Square, Bangkok. The event aimed to raise awareness on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). Over 330 students and youth as well as people from all sectors participated in the event.  Mr.  Mechai Viravaidya, Director of Mechai Pattana School, Buriram Province, also participated and shared his long and invaluable experience in advancing sustainable development.   

          The 17 SDGs cover the three pillars of sustainable development, i.e. economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and constitute the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was agreed upon by 193 Member States of the United Nations in 2015. This reflected the political will of the international community to enhance partnership and efforts towards achieving the SDGs by 2030, while leaving no one behind. Cooperation from all sectors of the society, including the government, private sector, civil society, international organisations, the general public, especially youth is crucial in the concrete implementation of the SDGs. 

          The Talk was presented by 17 motivators  from across the nation, for example, Thai Hopeful Company, #DontTellMeHowToDress Project, Pimali Hospitality Traning Center, and Inpleang Farm, who were determined to drive social changes, beginning with small things in which they were interested or had expertise. Their efforts had become part and parcel of the implementation of the SDGs, with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) as the guiding principle. The 17 motivators had transferred knowledge and inspired others to do good things that would lead to social changes in their own way.  “We can all make changes in the society” by thinking creatively, spreading the word, and inspiring others with our stories. Most importantly, we, together, must act now.