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2. Partnership expansion

To multiply the impact of service, the Chula team reached out to several key stakeholders and conducted online partnership meetings. As a result, the Migrant College project at the Regional Center for Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, is now a key partner.

3. Situation assessment via discussions with government and non-governmental organizations

Project leaders—Civic Engagement 4.0 co-convenors and the Chula team—conducted a situation assessment via a field visit and meetings with several organizations during May 2-5, 2024. The engaged organizations included the International Rescue Committee, the Burma Children Medical Fund, the Tak Education Office, Help Without Frontiers, the Inclusive Education Foundation, SEM, the Overseas Irrawaddy Association, and the BEAM Education Foundation. We also continued discussions with Mae Tao Clinic in university partnership work. The information that was gathered was considered carefully in implementing the 2^nd cohort of the training.

4. Knowledge sessions on May 2, 2024 (hybrid)

Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Naruemon Thabchumpon, Director of the Asian Migration Studies Center at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yeoh Seng Guan, Monash University, the sessions triggered more discussions on how research and engagement can help to alleviate the challenging situation surrounding ongoing displacement keeping in mind the long-term consequences of the situation. The sessions were as follows:

• “A Whole of Society Approach to Address Myanmar’s Escalating Crisis”

By Prof. Emeritus Dr. Supang Chantavanich, Chulalongkorn University

• “Thai-Myanmar Cross-Border Engagements: Insights from National and Local Responses”

By Asst. Prof. Dr. Bhanubhatra Jittiang, Director, the Nelson Mandela Center for Conflict Resolution, Atrocity Prevention, and Human Security, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

• “Migrant College Project”

By Dr. Gustaaf Houtman, Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development, Chiang Mai University and Mandalay University professors

5. Cohort 2: Innovative Training of Trainers program for displaced Myanmar teachers

Chulalongkorn University multiple units and INEB’s Institute for Transformative Learning, with their expanded network of partners, including UNESCO, Advocacy Group for Burma (American Baptist Churches), Japan Civil Society Network on SDGs, and theSustainable Agriculture Foundation, collaborated in implementing the 2^nd cohort of the training during August 16-18 and August 23-25, 2024.

The training was conducted based on co-counselling pedagogy, to build capacity of Myanmar teachers and enable them to build and promote their students’ intellectual development, social and emotional growth, and critical thinking skills. In addition, the expertise of resource persons enabled special workshops such as peace education and health and medicine, addressing the real-life needs of working with children. In the program evaluation, trainees expressed the life-changing impact of the program:

Ye Lynn Ko – Value of the Mae Sot 2024 Program

“I entered the workshop as a boy. I left as a well-equipped, skillful teacher. Paying attention, sharing, and caring are very fundamental in this workshop. By doing so, I gained comrades and networks to survive even in a chaotic world. Moreover, I learned many ways to apply teaching methods in education. In this workshop, not only the topics, but also the ways they deliver them are very remarkable.

But I honestly need to warn the newcomer teachers about something. You will need to attend this workshop like an empty container as you have to fill a lot. Make yourself at home and just throw away your work and problems for a while. You should take this as a vacation to explore the whole new world of education. You will witness various aspects like freedom, crises, peace, and my favorite, Co-Counseling.”

(More testimonials, please access from here).

6. Continued support online and a way forward

Follow up support to the trainees is crucial and continues online upon the completion of the Cohort 2 training. There is now a loose mutual support mechanism among the alumni of the training program. As a way forward, the Chula team and partner organizations are aiming to establish a formal committee to work out the continued implementation of the program.

(This report prepared by the Office of International Affairs and Global Network)