REPORT OF TRAINING AT THE ROTARY PEACE CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF CHULALONKORN FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2011.

The training in March was a built up and the addition of more peace building tools and skills to fellows. The month dwell more on the 4th module of the training which focused on conflict transformation and building sustainable peace. Miki Jacevic of the Partnerships and Consultations, The Initiative for Inclusive Security and Hunt Alternative Fund started the module. In the first place he extensive dealt with the issue of truth commission and social justice, where he addressed the need for justice in places that have gone through conflicts as an effective tool needed in the peace building process. These includes; short-term judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, translational society’s human legacy and a transition from authoritarian rule to post conflict. The goal of employing the translational justice system include establishing a stable foundation for the restoration of the rule of law, fostering an atmosphere of conducive democratization and human rights, healing of societal divisions and to provide justice and accountability. One example where translational justice worked was the one employed in the peace building process in Rwanda post conflict. In the case of Rwanda they adapted the model called ‘Gacaca’ which was adaptable to their own traditional cultural justice system. This approach was observed to be quite effective as it addressed most of the human rights abuse cases within a short time. We have the opportunity of watching the film on the ‘Gacaca’ justice process.


During this session, we were also taught about capacity building and peace education which is aimed at developing an understanding of capacity building and related processes. We learned the ability to design and conduct trainings, frame goals for peace education through experiential learning and gained further knowledge of key resources in the field while dealing with various conflict cases. A good part of our time was taken to learn the skill of monitoring and evaluating peace building programs. We were exposed to the skills needed in the continuous data collection and analysis processes used in assessing projects as it relates to expected performance as well as the day-to-day follow up of activities during implementation. We had the opportunity of learning how to systematically measure the results of a project with a view to assessing its relevance, the efficiency of its implementation, its effectiveness and impact.

As a way of further gaining understanding of the post-conflict recovery processes, Dr David Conolly who is a Research Fellow with specialty in post-war recovery and conflict resolution at Yolk University exposed us to the concept, contemporary challenges and policy frame work for post-war recovery. In each case the relevance of these frameworks were used to discuss and assess the relevance to our professional settings and contexts, focusing on transformation and peace building. On the whole, the post-recovery activities involve, shared vision and continuous reflection, understanding of reconstruction, collaborative governance, inducing economic development and reconciliation as well as justice. The session exposed us to internationally led policy goals of stabilization, good governance, and anti-corruption as well as the values of respective alternatives in terms of peace through development, collaborative governance and integrity. These were views as essential components needed to implement effective post-war recovery, during the session the National Solidarity Programme in Afganistan experiences were used as a case study.

Another very important tool which will be used in the conflict transformation and building a sustainable peace is to get involved in voluntary counseling to trauma victims from conflict affected places that might be going through traumatic challenges due to various experiences they encountered during the conflicts. Traumatic events involve actual or threatened deaths or serious injury (real or perceived) to self or others and evoke feelings of fear, helplessness or horror which are likely to result in interpersonal violence and direct life threat. As highlighted by Prof John Pead from the Australian Center for Posttraumatic Mental Health who handled the session. It was pointed out that the skills needed for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention are effective interventions required for trauma victims. This includes training packages for psychological first aid, skills for recovery and treatment.

To acquaint us with the basic roles that the international law plays in conflict resolution at different level, a session on international and humanitarian law was treated, this time around by a Fellow of the center, Prof Kishu Daswani from India. He introduced us to international and humanitarian laws. On the international law he identified the sources of international laws looking at treaties, customs, generally accepted practice of state and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The issues considered under the international laws were; conventions related to status of refugees, Vienna convention relating to status of treaties and lastly the draft principles on allocation of loss in case of trans-boundary harm arising due to hazardous activities. About humanitarian law he talked about the four conventions and the additional protocols as well as the internal armed conflicts. To facilitate the understanding of the session, some case studies where brought up for open discussion during which fellows had a better understanding of the subject.

The role of religion and dialogue in peace building which was handled by Dr. John Butt followed by a very interactive session about religious perspectives on peacebuilding, conflict resolution and religious extremism by the trio of Laurie Maund, Dr. Augustine Sugiyo and Abdus Sabur. This was quite revealing as the session viewed religion from different perspectives and will be useful in addressing the conflict from my place. Dealing with a group of aggrieved parties who are stereotype about their beliefs is actually very difficult, but with patience and regular persuasion, I hope to facilitate interreligious dialogue between the women, youths and leaders of both the Muslims and non Muslim groups in my place. The session by Dr. Butt raised some important issues that will be helpful; one of such is that ‘religion is really about life’. By this I will constantly use this to appeal to the religious factions to continue to embrace the fact that religion is all about life and humanity as such they should use their religions to save lives instead of using it to destroy the lives that the God they claim to be serving created. Another thing I learn from Butt’s session which will be helpful in my work is that ‘religion is one of the most dangerous idols’ considering cases in which the emphasis is no longer on the Ultimate Transcendent Reality (God) who should be the focus of the religion to giving attention to mere activities surrounding religions, is bound to get people more involves in fighting for the religion hence loosing focus and that is the likely the causes of conflict in Jos.

The discussion session which dwell more on the need for various religious bodies to be committed to promoting and laying more emphasis in building on areas of common interest such love, truth, justice, freedom and care is a very important aspect that will add strength to the dialogue sessions. I am aware that other interreligious dialogue organizations have been engaging the religious bodies in dialogue sessions. To add bite to the ongoing activities, I Hope to relate more closely with such organizations to be able figure out what is leading to the failure of the regular dialogue sessions between the conflicting parties. Thereafter I will build on where they most have stopped using some of the tools already learned. Prof Chaiyan from the institute for the study of religion, culture and peace, Payap University also had a session with us on social change for conflict transformation.

The international field study in Nepal was a practical learning experience which accorded me the opportunity of hearing from various actors who have stake in the ongoing peace building process in Nepal.

Activities leading to the winding of the three month study started with visit to various NGO by fellows for more learning opportunities that will help on the jobs. There were also moments of reflections and introspections. Fellows were exposed to the links for networking fellows, alumni issues, final evaluations and public seminar presented by each fellow during which a keynote address was presented by the PIRD Bhichal Rattakul. The landmark graduation ceremony at the prestigious Princess Pathumwan Hotel, Bangkok also witnessed the presentation of certificates and Rotary Foundation Alumni pins by the representative to Chulanlongkorn University’s President Prof Presit Kovilaikol and PIRD Bhichal Rattakul. During the graduation, the graduating Fellows collectively appreciated the Rotary Foundation for providing such a scarce opportunity of participating in the training.

REPORT OF FIELD STUDY I: NORTHEASTERN THAILAND (Appendix)

The field studies which lasted for six (6) days starting from 6^th -11^th January 2011, included visits and interactions with communities on various issues that are clear indications of conflicts that require solution. The first day of the field study was an orientation on the history of Ubonratchathani by Professor Sombat Worthong, former Dean Faculty of Law, Ubonratchathani University. Thereafter, Professeor Songwut Sansarin of the Department of International Law from the same university oriented us on the Nationalityless and Stateless people who are leaving in different settlements within the Thai Nation without an identify, and it is viewed as breeding ground for resentment that may a in the long run result in conflict as such groups of people are currently insecure.

A good part of the second day was taken to survey the tourism potentials and endowments of the area during which we had the opportunity of visiting Phataem National Park located at the most eastern past of Thailand. Other places visited were the 3000 thousand waves and holes river located along Moon River. The two colour river which is the midpoint between Moon and Mekong River was also visited. The interesting thing about this place is that the meeting point of the two rivers is the border line between Laos Republic and Thailand. The tour was rounded up with a warm welcoming dinner by the Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Lotus City, Ubon.

The active study started with a visit to the Civil Society organization, in which fellows were addressed by Miss Jongkonnee Sirrat in the company of other volunteers on the roles of Civil Society Ubonratchathani, during this session we were able to learn that they play active role in training different communities on the basic human right information and other essentials knowledge based skills. The team visited the Senior Deputy Governor of Ubonratchathani City who addressed us on the urban development policy in Ubonratchathani during which he addressed areas of land use and right within the country, this is because the land form the common causes of conflicts mostly between the communities and the government authority. The Urban Poor Community Network was visited, during which an interactive session that lasted for about 2hours 30minutes was held. Questions were asked on the operations of the network and what it stands for. The network is a non political organisation aimed at protecting the interest of the poor in various communities and they do this by making consultations with government at all levels. Where the government fail to address their needs they embark on protest.

The Wat Luang community was another group of people visited and their issue heard to do with government constructing a river bank to avoid flooding in a nearby river in which the community depends upon for their livelihood. After the river bank construction, it was not high enough to prevent the flooding; this made the community to continue to put pressure on the government to make adjustments of the constructions to prevent flooding into the community houses. After assessing the situation, the government decided to find a more lasting solution to the problem and this was to involve reconstructing the houses of the community population and for this to be done, it will require that government pull down the houses of the affected community members to allow for the reconstruction of new and modern houses at an arrangement of 80%: 20%. In which the government will pay 80% of the total cost of constructing each house, while each house owner takes care of the remaining 20%. So far, the project is completed but the community is left to pay their part of 20%. The impact have created some socioeconomic gap in the community as finding alternative livelihood is difficult, this is because they were left with no space for vegetable farming where they use to earn their living from. Fellows heard the opportunity of asking questions and learning from the community on the procedures they followed to peacefully resolve their problem with the government.

Another community visited was the communities located near the Pak Moon Dam, their issue was the case of construction of a controversial dam for generation of electricity in Pak Moon Rivers which is over the years known to be a place for fishing by 55 surrounding villages covering four main areas. After several protest for over 20yrs by the community against citing of the project, the government insisted on constructing the dam, this is believe by the community to have frustrated their age long profession of fishing thereby denying them of their right to livelihood. The problem has persisted for long as the communities insist the Dam be open. The protest camp was visited by fellows, in which it was observed the communities are maintaining a firm position of continuing the protest against the government as long as the government will have the dam open and on the worst scenario the community may be forced to destroy the dam. A practicing Lawyer in person of Mr. Nikom Veesapan, who delivered a lecture to us on the dam and issues surrounding it, was of the opinion that the right thing to do is for the government to order for the opening of the dam which is in agreement with the outcome of a research sponsored by the government on the situation.

The Meeting with Nhongpak Village Community, Boondarik District and Ba Hai Tai Mui Community was held on the 9^th and 10^th. Their issue has to do with Nationalitylessness. They are Lao citizen who migrated to Thai Area for the past 36 years and their legitimate country Laos Republic reject their plea to return after displacement form Laos due to conflicts. The Thai Government on the other hand has allowed them to stay in their territory but does not allow them access to Thai national ID which allow citizen have access to the social security (Health, School, Work) provided by the Thai government. The life of these groups of people is characterized by;

·         Threat from the security men, restrictions from moving around, no government scholarship opportunities for their children, limited land for farming and no ownership to any property.

·         20,000 people involved (Nhongpak)

·         Applying for National Identity is difficult for them as they have to come to Bangkok and in most cases before reaching the Bangkok City, they suffer harassment from the police because of their lack of identity, which further discourage them from making efforts to get the ID.

·         They only wait for opportunity of daily pay hired job as they have no access to schedule paid jobs and this get them grossly unsecure.

This is another dimension in conflict studies as fellows were not only surprise by such situation but emotionally moved by the hopeless state of this categories of people. It was another opportunity of open learning as the interaction with the people resulted in several questions from both the communities and the fellow.

The field studies ended on 11^th with debriefing by the fellows and the Rotary Peace Center (RPC) staff facilitated by the Deputy Director, Jenn Wiedman. This was a time of hearing the reactions and comments of fellows on their experiences and challenges based on the analysis of all the cases studied. During the sessions fellows expressed their appreciation to the Rotary International for providing such an opportunity of learning and also to the RPC for the good organization of the field study.

Phograph of Fellows with Nationalityless Community Bahai

REPORT OF TRAINING AT THE ROTARY PEACE CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF CHULALONKORN FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2011.

The month of February commenced with the continuation of one of the sessions in the 3^rd module of the training by Mr. Jan Sunoo and Mr. Stephen Kessler of the ADR/International Programms, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service USA. Their session focused on cross cultural conflict resolution and the use of other conflict resolution tools such as techniques for third party intervention as well as different approaches for problems solving and intervention. This session is quite necessary for me, as I was exposed to the techniques necessary to handle multidimensional conflicts cases like the one from where I come which is often seen from different cultural perspectives. To do this, certain issues need to be viewed from different cultural perspectives in order for one to give a balance assessment or judgments and this is what is required for effective third party mediation. The field study which took us to the far northeastern Thailand, bordering Thailand with Cambodia and Laos Republic lasted for six days (6^th -11^th February, 2011) and it was an opportunity to be exposed to various conflicts cases including community, resources and identity related issues. It was a great time hearing from different actors the nature of their conflicts and how they were able to handle it (refer to Appendix for a more detail field study report). The use of appreciative Inquiry (AI), is a strategy for meaningful change which is a participatory approach that seeks to find the strengths and passion within every system as well as the open space technology facilitation were tools we were exposed to by Jost Wagner from the Facilitators Forum Thailand.

Another major tool we were exposed to was the use of media in conflict situations, and conflict resolution films as tools for peace building; this time around it was presented by The Chair, Fine Arts Department, Co-Director, Film studies program at Boston College, John Michalczyk and Instructor in Conflict Resolution, Department of Theology, Boston College, Ray Helmick. The session extensively dwell on various ways the media can be used in conflict situations involving, interviewing, press releases techniques using selective languages that cannot escalate the conflicts and the use of appropriate medium to address different conflict situations. It was another opportunity for fellows to watch various documentary films produced by the two guest lecturers which are aimed at promoting peace process in Northern Ireland, Peru, Middle East, Kosovo, South Africa and Kenya. This resulted in open discussions on the technicalities involved in producing the films. 

We were also trained by the Deputy Chief of Party, International Relief and Development, Indonesia, Mr Bobby Anderson on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) which is used as a very significant tool needed in post conflict places where many types of ammunition are usually used during the conflicts. The DDR therefore comes in as a strategy needed to help in withdrawing the ammunitions, rebuilding and rehabilitation processes of affected communities. The session is an opportunity of learning what is expected in rehabilitation process in places that are involved in conflicts.

A one day comprehensive lecture was delivered to us on security sector reforms (SSR) and Responsibility to Protect (R2P) by Dr Norbert Ropers of the Peace Research Institute and University of Frankfurt am Main, Berghof Foundations for Conflict Studies and Peace Support Berlin. In this session, the theory, trends and critical issues in civilian control of the military was clearly discussed. Other issues discussed were peace building in post-war situations and engaging the non-state armed group (NSAG). These were important tools that will be quite helpful in addressing the security sectors with a view to ensuring conformity with human right issues and will be important for us in addressing related areas in our various areas of conflicts.

To expose fellows to basic skills in promoting non-violent and other harmless approaches by aggrieved parties in different communities, Prof Chaiwat Satha-Anand who is currently the Director of peace information center, Thammasat University & Senior Research Scholar, Thailand Research Fund, delivered an all encompassing lecture on Theories of Nonviolence and Forgiveness. In his lecture, the dynamics of nonviolent action involve changing the opponents behavior by changing his or her heart as well as by shaping and pressuring forces that constitute his/her context. The non violence action (NVA) is achievable by allowing self suffering and avoiding hatred. On forgiveness, he was quick to point out that without the magic of forgiveness, reconciliation would be unbearable for human society. It therefore becomes very important for peace makers to be more active in promoting the prevention of destructive conflicts and one of such ways is by promoting the NVA and forgiveness.

The training continued as it focused on the capacity building on peace studies and conflict resolution, peace education, monitoring & evaluation as well as truth commission and social justice by the Director, Partnerships and Consultations, The Initiative Inclusive Security, Hunt Alternatives Fund, Miki Jacevic. The goal of the session is to develop an understanding of capacity building and related processes, increase the ability to design and conduct trainings, frame goal for peace education and to gain knowledge of key resources in the field. This session was more of an opportunity of ‘train the trainer’ during which we were exposed to techniques in experiential learning, as it is expected that fellows may be involved in facilitating the training of some key actors in an effort to address some conflict cases after the fellowship. During this session fellows were also exposed to translational justice with an objective of establishing a stable foundation for the restoration of the rule of law, foster the atmosphere that is conducive to democratization and human rights, health societal divisions and provide justice and accountability.

REPORT OF TRAINING AT THE ROTARY PEACE CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF CHULALONKORN FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2011.

The training commenced on the 13^th January 2011 at 9:00am by the official welcoming of participating fellows by the Director (Prof. Surichai Wun’gaeo) of the Rotary Peace Center, Chulalongkorn University. This was followed by the introduction of the Center staff and the participating fellows by the Deputy Director, Jenn Weidman. The introduction which was very detailed gave all the fourteen participating fellows from different countries and nationalities a sense of humor and satisfaction as after that all were at home with each other. The involvement of all the center staff in the orientation makes the programme more of an all encompassing matter coupled with the simplistic and liberal leadership capability of the Deputy Director. The immediate payment of the monthly stipend for the month of January to all fellows on the day the programme commenced was another good gesture to behold and worthy of commendation.

The second day of the training was dedicated to Individual Conflict Presentation (ICP) by all the fellows with 8 minutes allowed for each fellow to make an ICP on the area of conflict he or she works with. This opened the floor for interactions and discussions. My presentation was made on ‘Jos Crisis: Man’s Inhumanity to Man’ during which I highlighted the issues surrounding the conflicts and my involvements as well as ongoing attempts and efforts aimed proffering solutions.

The main training started by featuring a distinguish scholar of International repute in person of Professor Tom Woodhouse who is the Academic Director of Rotary Center for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution at the University of Bradford, UK. The module was co-presented with the founding Chair and CEO of Mindanao Commission on Women and the Convener of Mothers of Peace, Mrs. Irene M. Santiago. Their session which lasted for 5 days focused on the concepts and values of peace and conflict studies. Their wealth of experience in Peace and conflict studies exposed the fellows on various state of the art theories in conflict resolutions in which different classic models and theories were examined in a highly interactive sessions. These sessions were characterized by moments of reflections and self examination of all the participants. Other areas that were extensively dealt with by the scholars are, The Nature and types of conflict, Root causes of conflict and the roles of Gender in conflict resolution.

Saturday 22^nd January 2011 was a time of moving around the city of Bangkok, during which we had the opportunity of looking at most tourist attraction such as a temple of the Emerald Buddha(the prime jewel of Bangkok), Temple of the Recycling Buddha (Wat Pho) and the Royal Barges Museum. The last place to visit was the Wat Arun which is the royal temple dedicated to the 2^nd reign of Chakkri Dynasty. The team also enjoyed the long-tailed boat cruise.  This exercise did not only end with seeing the Bangkok town but was also an opportunity to build interaction and intimacy among the fellows.

Monday 12^th January 2011 to Thursday 15 January 2011 saw us learning the act of conflict analysis in which we were exposed to the necessary techniques in analyzing conflicts under the practically oriented teaching skills of Dr. Erik Melander an Associate Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University in Sweden.  His session was categorized into four subheadings with each treated on each day. These include; i) The Context of Conflict Analysis, Human Security and Humanitarian Law. ii) Overview of Conflict Analysis: Dynamics and Scenarios. iii) Case Study: Conflict Mapping Local Analysis Practicum. iv) Trends in Armed Conflict and Peace Building. After his session, we did not need any body to tell us that our earlier Individual Conflict Presentation were not only limited but grossly unprofessional as it lack the basic details required for reporting and the analysis of conflicts in such a way that the core issue will be addressed with a view to proffering workable solutions. The session prepared us also to write an assignment analyzing the various conflicts in our localities and these skills were quite helpful writing the assignment.

In an effort to asquint us with conflict situation in and around our host nation (Thailand), Jenn Weidman took good part of Thursday 27^th to give us the history of nations surrounding Thailand such as a Myanmar and Cambodia as well as other boarder conflict cases between Thailand and Cambodia. To give the fellows the balanced view on the Political Conflict in Thailand, three political activist and academia from the University of Chulalongkorn in Persons of Asistant Professor S. Horachaikul, Assistant Professor Dr. Suda Rangkupan and Dr. Pitch Pongsawat were invited to the center to give lectures on their individual perspective on the ongoing political conflict in Thailand. This was quite enlightening and challenging to me as a person as it gave me the clear understanding of dynamics of the Thai politics.

Sunday 30 January was a fascinating welcoming and orientation organized for the fellows in the Rotary Center in Thailand under the very amiable moderation of PDG, Dr. Saowalak Rattanavich. This time around, it was a great opportunity of meeting the ‘who is who’ of Rotary in Thailand. The PRID, Nosareth Pathmanand who was the key personalities at the orientation gave a very educating and enlightening presentation on the activities and structure of the Rotary International. It was also an opportunity for all fellows to meet their Host Counselors.  My encounter with my very hospitable Host Counselor in person of PDG, Siri Eiamchamroonlarp was quite interesting as he made me feel at home and have a sense of humor.

The last is day of the month (31^st January) was a commencement of the 3^rd module of the training which is aimed at addressing conflict resolution and techniques required for mediation by Mr. Jan Sunoo of the ADR/International Programms, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Mr. Stephen Kessler of the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. This session is still ongoing and so far it is quite revealing and exposing to essentials skills that will required in conflict resolution.

On an overall assessment the training offers me the opportunity of learning the basic skills in addressing conflicts and I hope to make the most of the opportunity in becoming part of the stakeholders in peace building processes in my locality.

A snapshot with a Temple Guard

Participating Peace Fellows from Africa and Pakistan