FB LIVE RECORDING: Book Launch: SDGs I The Depth of Field

“Since being conceived in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, “sustainable development” has become a buzzword that has helped guide development around the world. The goals have followed a steady trajectory of increased emphasis — from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, strengthening the world’s new development Paradigm.

“At the heart of the SDGs addressed by the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are 17 key goals that call for action by all countries to end poverty and other deprivations. These must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth — all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests, according to the UN.

“The only challenge is: how to translate all those goals into a strong commitment and action.

“To flesh out the ideas so that people can understand them easily and therefore take action, Bangkok Tribune has come up with a project: “SDGs I The Depth of Field”, using its signature style of photojournalism — storytelling through photo essays — to interpret and translate the ideas and challenges behind the goals into powerful visual stories told through the lenses of noted photographers.”

It was 2022 when the world was approaching halfway through the deadline set for all SDGs to be accomplished that we at Bangkok Tribune too seriously started to question: whether these global goals would be achieved, given the ideologies and complexities of critical global challenges the world was facing.

So came the project; first as the Photo Essay series, and then this book, SDGs l The Depth of Field.

Spanning over those three years, we took the audience through text and photographs depicting various landscapes, development paths, and communities as well as a glimpse into the lives and personal experiences influenced by the challenges and hopes brought by the SDGs.

Global aspirations and local realities were brought closer with our same intention at the news agency: To “bridge the gap” and “connect the dots”, informing and inspiring people so that they can have more knowledge and understanding, and thus, more power and role in decision-making over issues of importance to their lives.

The project could not have been made possible without the generous support from Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Thailand. We would also like to specially thank people and communities as well as civil society and institutions, who shared stories with us.

Last but not least are all the photographers and writers who dedicated time and effort to deliver their masterpieces to help us fulfil our intention once again: Baramee Temboonkiat Luke Duggleby มูลนิธิบูรณะนิเวศ (EARTH) Palm Panumas Peerapon Boonyakiat Roengrit Kongmuang Sayan Chuenudomsavad Shin Sirachai Arunrugstichai @Thiti Wannamontha Wissarut Verasopon Radda Larpnun @Pimnara Intaprasert Pimsai Fon @Lattapol Jir @Piyaruethai Piyopeerapong @Kumar Krishnan

And our advisors of the book and at the news agency, who provide advice as much as inspiration to us @Dr. Celine-Agathe Caro @Asst. Prof Chol Bunnag Chiranan Pitpreecha @Piyaporn Wong @Thasuthida JJ Thetthong @Pii Arporniem @Dr.Buntoon Srethasirote @Dr.Anak Pattanavibool Sompoch Maneerat @Lia Sciortino Sumaryono @Wasant Techawongtham

The book, SDGs l The Depth of Field, is ready for distribution to university libraries and those of institutions and organisations working in the field nationwide as part of our social contribution: giving back to the society.

The book launch has been organised with the kind support of SEA-Junction. Listen to what the writers and photographers said about their work in this video recording.

Hope you enjoy it and thank you all for your support as always!

Best Regards,

Bangkok Tribune