I was happy to moderate a session yesterday morning on, 'Nurturing Thai People to be Efficient Global Citizens'. Prof. Yongyuth Yuthavong and Dr. Teerakiat Jaroensettasin were the guest speakers ka.
Let me share what I learned from them, the floor, including my own observations ka.
1. Both speakers are readers and thinkers who have had a chance to be at the top policy level of the country, handling education, social sciences, and science and technology. Both emphasized on humanity, culture, and language proficiency. So it's obvious how interesting their talks were ka.
2. Ajarn Yongyuth told the audience not to expect funding support from Unesco. Rather, we need to maximize the wealth of knowledge to identify priority issues of the world that Thailand needs to consider. Working with Unesco is great but without Unesco, Thailand has to move on in any case for us to nurture our people to become global citizens ka.
3. Ajarn Teerakiat said we should look at the economics too, which focuses on the demand side. He pointed out that it's impossible to eradicate inequality but it's best for the advantaged/ the have to share with the disadvantaged/ the have not.
4. Several participants thought it was challenging for Thais as we lack skills to link what we have, proactive drive, platforms to share and network on Unesco's knowledge, our own weakness in language and communication in international forums.
5. We need to understand ideals of the UN and Unesco to see how Thais can contribute, not just gain benefits for our very own sake. Synergy in our own country in terms of strategic thinking, collective actions, and sharing, is needed for us to maximize the rich resources while understanding better on diversity and sustainable development along with the proper balance in our own context.
6. Thais don't have much prominent role in Unesco and we need to be more strategic so that we not only play up our visibility, but also make positive impacts in this organization, with over 190 countries as Members.
The time was short but I'm glad there were a few questions about how each can do, and do better.
It was a small forum but with the two speakers' deep thinking and sharing, it was really worth the time! I have Prof. Yongyuth's presentation on global citizens and if you'd like to learn more, I'll be more than happy to forward it ka.
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