Green Community: Definition and Conceptual Framework based on the Southern Happiness Forum

Abstract

This academic article aimed to synthesize knowledge leading to the presentation of the definition and conceptual framework of "Green Communities" that crystallized from the Southern Health Creation Forum process. This forum represents a collaborative platform of network partners to drive well-being in the southern region and facilitate knowledge exchange, present concrete operational outcomes in health promotion policy work, and submit policy recommendations to relevant policymakers on each issue for implementation or adaptation in accordance with organizational action plans. Green community development is one of the issues in driving food security policy from the Southern Health Creation work and the resolution of the National Health Commission meeting to promote and support the elevation and development of Southern Health Creation work into a public policy process to enhance the well-being of southern people. The definition and conceptual framework of green communities serve as important preliminary conditions for the development process by functioning as tools for building shared understanding and directing network partners' operations toward a unified approach. This study employed document analysis methodology from meeting reports, policy recommendations, and lesson synthesis documents related to the Southern Health Creation Forum. The results show that the Southern Health Creation Forum has defined "green communities" as self-sufficient communities that manage their learning processes, use sustainable development methods in their operations, and choose their own paths for development. The conceptual framework is implemented through four models: sustainable agriculture, sustainable fisheries, sustainable tourism, and watershed areas, with the goal of creating food security that is safe throughout the chain, leading to community well-being. This framework is distinguished by being a tool developed from the grassroots through participatory processes and validated by empirical evidence from local areas, facilitating operational-level implementation and effectively elevating community lessons to policy recommendations. Retry Claude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.