The 3rd National Conference on Political Science, Public Administration, and Law for Sustainable Development (PAL 2025)

          The 3rd National Conference on Political Science, Public Administration, and Law for Sustainable Development (PAL 2025).  In an era marked by global challenges such as environmental degradation, social inequality, and weakened public institutions, the integration of knowledge across disciplines becomes increasingly vital. Political science, public administration, and law play essential roles in shaping public policy, enhancing governance, and ensuring legal frameworks that promote justice, equity, and long-term sustainability.

          Recognising this, the Faculty of Political Science and Law at Burapha University initiated the PAL (Politics, Administration, and Law) National Conference series to provide a space for academic exchange and intellectual engagement on issues of national and global importance. In 2025, the conference was held for the third time under the theme: “Political Science, Public Administration, and Law: Pathways to ESG Sustainable Development”, highlighting the connection between these academic disciplines and the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

          The aim was to explore how interdisciplinary knowledge can contribute to sustainable development and address emerging societal challenges. This academic platform was created to foster scholarly dialogue, disseminate research, and share practical solutions among faculty members, researchers, students, and practitioners.

          The event encourages the academic community to align its research with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on issues related to environmental protection, social justice, and good governance. It also provides opportunities for networking and long-term academic cooperation among institutions. The conference plays a proactive role in bridging academic knowledge with public policy and real-world applications. It promotes the relevance of higher education institutions in sustainable development efforts and strengthens cooperation among national academic partners, this year including 10 universities from across Thailand. Ultimately, PAL 2025 contributes to shaping informed public discourse, advancing the national research agenda, and supporting Thailand’s progress toward inclusive, transparent, and sustainable development.

          The conference is directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including: SDG 4: Quality education and lifelong learning opportunities SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals through inter-institutional collaboration In summary, the PAL 2028 Conference is a vital academic mechanism that connects theoretical knowledge with practical solutions and enhances the role of higher education in shaping a sustainable future for Thai society.

The objectives of this project were composed of

 

1. To provide a national academic platform for scholars, students, and professionals in political science, public administration, and law to exchange knowledge and research.

 

2. To promote interdisciplinary discussions on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and their relevance to sustainable development.

 

3. To encourage the integration of academic research with public policy and real-world applications.

 

4. To foster academic collaboration and strengthen networks among higher education institutions.

 

5. To support the dissemination of research that contributes to Thailand’s sustainable development.

 

6. To enhance awareness and engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 4, 16, and 17.

 

7. To empower students and early-career researchers through active participation and scholarly presentation opportunities.

          The 3rd National Conference on Political Science, Public Administration, and Law for Sustainable Development (PAL 2028) was organised by the Faculty of Political Science and Law, Burapha University. The primary objective was to provide a national academic platform for scholars, students, and the general public to exchange knowledge and present research related to political science, public administration, and law in the context of sustainable development.

          The central theme of the conference was: “Political Science, Public Administration, and Law: Pathways to ESG Sustainable Development.” The project began with collaboration among ten partner academic institutions across Thailand. These institutions were invited to co-organise the event and encourage participation from their faculty and students.

          The organising committee issued a nationwide call for papers and conference participants, inviting researchers and students to submit academic articles for presentation and potential publication in the conference proceedings.

          The conference took place on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Room Pollaw1–402, 4th Floor, Faculty of Political Science and Law Building 2, Burapha University, and was also broadcast online. The event opened with welcoming remarks by the Association. Prof.Dr.Anurat Anantanatorn, Deputy Dean of the Faculty, followed by a keynote address from Prof.Dr.Voradej Chandarasorn, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Thailand, shared insights on ESG advancement through political and legal perspectives.

          The afternoon session featured academic paper presentations, divided into three thematic groups: Environmental, Social, and Governance. Presentations were delivered in both oral and poster formats by faculty members, students, and independent researchers from across the country.

          The conference was structured to ensure inclusivity, organisation, and active participation, and a final report synthesising the results was prepared for dissemination in both academic and public forums. The entire project was conducted within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The PAL 2028 Conference serves as a model of academic engagement, integrating knowledge with public impact and reinforcing the critical role of higher education in advancing national and global sustainable development.

This project has an impact in the following ways,

1. Facilitated the exchange of knowledge and innovative ideas among scholars, students, and experts from various institutions.

 

2. Promoted academic research and presentations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

3. Expanded national academic collaboration networks among partner universities.

 

4. Encouraged the integration of political science, public administration, and law with ESG-related issues.

 

5. Provided opportunities for students and early-career researchers to showcase their academic potential.

 

6. Strengthened the role of higher education institutions in driving sustainable societal development.

 

7. Supported the sharing of best practices in applying academic knowledge to inform public policy.

 

Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. Anurat Anantanatorn, Faculty of Political Science and Law