A Collaborative Model of Buddhist Youth Volunteer Activities for Sustainable Environmental Development in Phrae Province

Abstract

The qualitative study aimed to explore the existing forms of Buddhist-oriented youth volunteer activities through participatory collaboration with network partners for sustainable environmental development in Phrae Province. The data were gathered from 32 key informants using in- depth Interviews, consisting of 2 youth leaders, 4 executive or representative of local administrative organization, 4 community leaders, 3 youth leader parents, 3 religious practitioners, 2 education scholars, 1 representative from Phrae Provincial Child and Youth Council, 3 leaders of youth volunteer work, and 1 religious scholar. They were selected by puposive sampling method. The research instrument were in- depth Interviews, focus groups discussion, and field work. The data were analyzed using content analysis.

The findings were as follows:

The existing forms of volunteer activities consist of three major aspects: 1. Waste disposal, community garbage management innovations, and the prototype community model of ‘Sufficient Living, Adequate Resources, and Well-Being’; 2. Public space management through collaboration between community members and government agencies to ensure sustainable shared use; and 3. Expanding green spaces based on the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) model to promote a green economy and low-carbon community. Youth volunteer activities reflect three behavioral aspects: altruistic assistance, social sacrifice, and developmental determination, which contribute to the cultivation of civic consciousness according to Buddhist volunteerism, resulting in balanced and sustainable community development.