Evaluation of Voluntary Policy Transfer: A Case Study of Bangkok World Book Capital

Abstract

This article described the concept of policy transfer network through World Book Capital Project of UNESCO. It aimed to describe this project that transferred to Thailand as a lens for understanding the accomplishment of becoming World Book Capital. Also, this article analyzed the appropriate of policy transfer network that used to describe the path of success.

Ten years ago, Thailand had been concerned about population’s poor reading, while Government also had clearly indicated its commitment to achieve the goal of increasing reading rates. Bangkok, therefore, as a highly recognized the significance and capacity area of reading campaign, the governor was offered to know the World Book Capital Project with the strong belief that it will motivate Thai’s reading rates. However, Bangkok was unsuccessful in its first attempt for the award in 2009 with several reasons. The commitment to win is never end, weaknesses and obstacles were reviewed in its application for two years, and also the Culture, Sport and Tourism Division had been launched as the key responsibility for supporting the reading rate of Thailand. In 2010 later, Bangkok and eighty-nine alliances established a flagship collaboration to increase the reading culture. Eventually in 2013, Bangkok succeeded to win the title of Capital of Reading with nine promotes reading missions.

Policy transfer network approach is an appropriate tool that helps to get various significant data; key players, interaction, and ideal. In addition, it is a useful tool for data validation which confirms the decision-making that whether policy or project should be transferred or non-transferred.