"62nd Anniversary of the Department of Community Development Hosts Grand Event 'Community Development Day' (CD Day 2024) – 'Strengthened Grassroots Economy, Resilient and Sustainable Communities"

Today (September 4, 2024), at 1:00 PM, at the Multipurpose Area, 2nd Floor, Government Complex Building B, 2nd Floor, Chaengwattana Government Complex, the Department of Community Development is hosting the grand event “Community Development Day” (CD Day 2024) under the theme “Strengthened Grassroots Economy, Resilient and Sustainable Communities,” showcasing the achievements of community development over the past 62 years through a living exhibition at the Government Complex Building B, 2nd Floor, Chaengwattana Government Complex, from September 4-6, 2024. The event will be officially opened by Mr. Suthipong Chulcharoen, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, at 1:00 PM today.

The primary objective of the event is to raise awareness and showcase the outcomes of community development efforts, as well as to honor the leadership mechanisms of community leaders, community groups/organizations, community networks, and villages/towns that have shown outstanding community development work. It will also recognize outstanding personnel and units within the Department of Community Development for their excellent work in 2024. The event will include civil servants from the Department of Community Development, community leaders, community groups/organizations, community network representatives, and the media.

Mr. Suthipong Chulcharoen, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, stated that the Department of Community Development is a key agency of the Ministry of Interior that works closely with the people in the field, especially community leaders and groups/organizations in every village/town. Since 1962, the Department has played an essential role in laying the foundation for rural development in Thailand, creating a stable grassroots economy and enabling people to be self-sufficient. The Department has applied the principles of sufficiency economy as a guiding approach for its operations.

Awards to be presented include the Royal Patronage Plaque from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Sufficiency Economy Village Award, “Serene and Happy” Village Award, and 152 provincial-level awards in the morning. In the afternoon, there will be the presentation of the Singha Gold Plaque, the Women’s Development Fund Awards, the Information Development Project for Model Communities Award, and the Outstanding Savings Groups for Production Award, totaling 400 awards.

Mr. Suthipong continued, expressing his congratulations to all community leaders, organizations, and network representatives who have received awards. He emphasized that their dedication to benefiting society has led to this recognition and serves as a source of pride for their families. He also urged them to encourage other villagers to join in creating positive change and contribute to the development of their communities.

Mr. Siam Sirimongkol, the Director-General of the Department of Community Development, said that the Department has been organizing the Community Development Day event continuously since 2010, coinciding with the anniversary of its founding on October 1 each year. This year’s event, Community Development Day 2024, is held under the theme “Strengthened Grassroots Economy, Resilient and Sustainable Communities.” The event aims to demonstrate the success of community development work, particularly efforts to stabilize and strengthen the grassroots economy by creating job security and stable incomes. It also highlights the strengthening of communities through leadership development and the ability of communities to be self-reliant.

The event will also feature exhibitions, the presentation of awards for outstanding work in community development, and various activities such as academic seminars and the sale of One Tambon One Product (OTOP) items. The event will take place from September 4 to 6, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Multipurpose Area on the 2nd floor of the Chaengwattana Government Complex, Building B, Chaengwattana Road, Lak Si District, Bangkok.