Our Final Week, Graduation & World Peace Symposium

During our final week of class, April 23-30^th, we were further briefed on the ethnic conflict in southern Thailand and the conflict between the “Red Shirts” vs. “Yellow Shirts” that has dominated Thai politics over the past several years.  To spare you the details, I will not expand on the complexity of these issues in my blog. 

However, we were again exposed to remarkable individuals who have been actively involved in the social and political turmoil that this country faces.  These individuals included: Dr. Sukree Langputeh, Dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Yala Islamic University who talked about the Muslims of Malaysian descent living in southern Thailand; and Dr. Mark Tamthai, Director, Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace, Payap University and Ms. Naree Janoenponpiriya, both renown peace advocates in Thailand who discussed the lessons learned from their years of advocacy.

But, without a doubt, one of my most memorable experiences during my 3 months as a Rotary Peace Fellow was my visit to Foundation for Rehabilitation and Development of Children and Family (FORDEC) where I met the founder, Dr. Amporn Wathanavongs.  An orphan at a very early age, Amporn moved from the depths of despair to become a productive social leader who provides hope and assistance to the poor children and families living in the slums of Thailand. 

Dr. Amporn gained worldwide recognition and accolades for his work, as chronicled in An Unoptional Life (http://www.bangkokbooks.com/php/product/product_search_list.php?text_search=An+Unoptional+Life&imageField.x=26&imageField.y=12), which I read on my flight back to the USA.  I highly recommend reading it, as it shows his resiliency and dedication to never giving up.  The photos below were taken on our visit to one of the child care facilities he established and operates for the children of Bangkok slums. 

Children in the daycare center in Thailand

Dr. Amporn

  

Children eating lunch

Our graduation ceremony was held on May 1^st and it marked the end of our studies and recognition of our accomplishments during the past three months.  The day included a public seminar where each of us, as fellows, presented the analysis and next steps related to our individual conflict situation. We were joined by our Rotary Host Counselors as well as many Rotarians from all over the world who were arriving in Bangkok for the Rotary World Peace Symposium (May 3-5) and the Rotary International Convention (May 6-9).

As well, we had a formal ceremony and dinner to celebrate our graduation.  As a way of celebrating our graduation, we sang the Rotary Fellows Song, which we learned from Jan Sunoo—an instructor during our third week of classes (to see how much fun we had doing this, see the YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71lHPBaXn10&feature=share

Jun (staff at the Rotary Peace Center at Chula) with Joyce

Rotary Peace Fellows after our World Peace Symposium presentation

Our work is over...the last day at the World Peace Symposium

For many of us, graduation was both a joyous, as well as sad occasion. As a group of Fellows, it was amazing how quickly we acclimated to Bangkok and bonded as a group.  We all learned how to get around on the BTS (Skytrain) system, which even in peak times, was considerably more efficient than spending hours in Bangkok traffic to travel only a few miles. When necessary, we hailed a Tuk-Tuk or taxi, but took our chances doing that, as they often refused to take us where we wanted to go or refused to run their meter and wanted to charge us inflated prices.

We also learned how to find the closest clinic or hospital, since many in our group experienced the typical traveler’s sickness and a number of us had other injuries that needed attended. My fall and back injury led me to the hospital mid-way through the 3 months. The private hospitals in Bangkok were sparkling clean, efficient, and inexpensive, by Western standards.

We also figured out the best places to buy  street food, which was plentiful, safe, and inexpensive. Shopping malls and street vendors were omnipresent, leaving us to wonder how they all survived, since many malls had only designer shops with prices higher than those in the USA.   

However, the friendships we formed were one of best parts of our 3 month experience, in addition to the learning we gained.  Thus, as we said our final goodbyes there were many tears shed since we knew that while many of us will maintain contact over the years, it is unlikely that as a group we will be together again. 

As a final reflection on our experience, we were all asked to tell the story of our experience as a fellow and our story of moving forward in no more than six words.  At first I didn’t know whether I could squeeze anything else out of my head, as I was feeling brain overload after the intensity of our 3-month course of study and field experiences.  But, after several minutes, I crafted these words

My story about my Rotary Peace Fellowship experience over the past 3 months:

Peace Through Understanding. Learning Through Experience.

My story moving forward:

Transform Through Action.  Never Give Up.





 So, I leave all of you with these final thoughts.  If we want to live in a world where there is more harmony than conflict, more justice than injustice, greater acceptance rather than hatred and fear of people who are different from us, and where children are given an opportunity to grow and thrive, then we still have a lot of work to do. The ability to take action is in each one of us.  You need only to make the choice to do your part in transforming our world into a place where we continuously strive for peace and justice.  This requires creating a culture of where we actively listen to one another and use negotiation and mediation to resolve our conflicts through nonviolent means. Even if you do this only within your own realm of family, friends, and colleagues, then you are doing your part to reach this goal.

Week 8-9: Conflict Transformation and Field Study in Nepal

Week 8 introduced us to a very engaging, energetic and thought provoking instructor, Miki Jacevic, a Bosnian that is now the Director of Partnerships and Consultations in Washington, DC. He is a human rights activist and peace program specialist with a wealth of experience, much of which is grounded in his personal journey as a Bosnian that took up arms during the conflict there.  While that consumed his life for 18 months, he eventually turned to studying what it takes to transform a society post-conflict.  We learned about capacity building in peace and conflict resolution, developing and evaluating peace education programs and initiatives, and the role of truth commissions as a means to achieve social justice. 

Miki had a very hands on way of teaching, so we were developing and delivering a short educational session, designing logic frames for our own individual conflict project, and simulating a peace building team that is charged with identifying and funding programs for a coherent strategy to rebuild a country racked by war over the past 10 years. 

Miki and fellows during class exercise

But, no doubt, a highlight of these past couple weeks was our field study in Nepal.  I have to admit, I knew very little about what has been happening in Nepal over the years—other that vaguely remembering that there are some Tibetans there who are protesting Chinese rule of their homeland in the Himalayas and the occasional act of self immolation (33 since 2011). As with the rest of our program, the week in Nepal was quite intense, with very little down time to recuperate from the nonstop activities throughout the 9 days there.  We started out on April 7^th, flying to Kathmandu, where we were greeted by our guides, who took us through a tour of the city.  At first sight, most of us were appalled by the garbage everywhere, with no signs at all of an infrastructure that takes care of sanitation and waste removal. 

Our arrival and welcome in Nepal



Another custom of welcome--red powder on your forehead

Regardless, the city was bustling with activity—street vendors everywhere selling their produce from the farm or handicrafts made by the indigenous ethnic groups, as well as Tibetans who have settled in Nepal. The Buddha has a very different look in Nepal, with three eyes, as shown in this picture.





The Nepali Buddha

We were also forewarned about a daily electrical outage that lasted several hours, generally during the early morning and evening.  Many hotels and shops do have generators, but not all, which resulted in our use of flashlights and/or candles.  As well, there are regular bandhs, which are strikes that can be called by almost any political faction.  When a bandh is called, everything stops (except tourist traffic) and it can last from several hours to days.  We did experience one bandh, and had to rearrange our visit with an organization, since the staff were unable to get to their office.

To summarize what is happening in Nepal, they are now in a post-conflict transformation stage, after 10 years of civil war where the Nepali government fought a Maoist insurgency.  While a comprehensive peace agreement has been signed and there is an agreement to form a republic, with the country divided into sections representing the various ethnic groups, there are still unresolved issues—one of the most serious is how to reintegrate the former Maoist combatants who are now residing in cantonments.  Apart from this all consuming focus on creating a governing system, which has been going on for several years, Nepal has a need to develop its basic social/economic institutions.  For the most part, while systems of education, health care, and the economy exist, they have serious challenges to overcome if Nepal is ever to become a healthy, stable, and prosperous nation. 

Many of us may be familiar with Nepal’s tourist industry of trekking up the Himalayas.  I know it’s been on my list of things to do and luckily we were able to travel to Pokhara where many of these treks begin.   Not only did we have an opportunity to visit the Empowering Women of Nepal and 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking (an organization that trains women guides and operates a trekking business), but we also had an early morning climb up a mountain in order to view the sunrise over the Himalayas. 

Sunrise over the Himalayas

Himalayas just after sunrise

Another highlight of Nepal was the opportunity I had to ride a motorcycle—a first for me.  I missed our bus one morning as we were off to visit a community group that received goats and training from Heifer International.  The bus took off as I was running after it.  With no luck at that, I had our hotel manager call the guide on the bus.  Since the bus was not yet out of town, the hotel manager said he’d take me to where the bus was waiting.  I thought it would be in the hotel van sitting outside, but instead, we were traveling via motorcycle.  Anyway, even though I kept thinking no helmet, proper shoes and clothing, I lasted the 15 minute ride to the bus and said this will just be another funny part of my story in Nepal. 

Our visits to NGOs, political and community groups and their projects included many—but the highlights were those where we saw local communities creating a better life through their own efforts, perhaps with a little bit of assistance from international aid and development organizations.  Most memorable were the Heifer project, the village development center in Damauli that established schools and youth programs, the Women’s Skills Development Organization where they made and sold woven products, and the Tibetan settlements.

Tibetan women selling their handicrafts in a Tibetan settlement

A hilltop community that received a Heifer International gift of goats and training

The cotton yarn of the Women's Skill Development Center

Women at the Women's Skill Development Center doing their weaving

Women at the Women's Skill Development Center making their products to sell

As a result of our Nepal field study, I have an even great appreciation for the stability and conveniences that I have at home.  While traveling to these other parts of the world opens your eyes and mind to a life so different from our own, experiences such as these make you realize that whatever challenges we have in our own country pale in comparison to those in countries where their governance structure is weak and the social institutions are barely meeting the needs of the population. But, overall, there is hope that Nepal is on its way toward greater prosperity.

Week 6-7: Half Way Through the Program

The time keeps ticking away, and we have passed the half-way mark.  At times, many of us feel like we are on brain overload.  We have been exposed to so many areas of study with respect to peace and conflict resolution, with some very amazing lecturers. 

During week 6 Lisa Monette from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Canada talked about the role of the media in conflict resolution.  Following that we learned about Demilitarization, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) from Bobby Anderson, an American who is now the Deputy Chief of Party, International Relief and Development, Indonesia.  Our week ended with an overview of Security Sector Reform (SSR) presented by Arie Bloed, who now lives in Bangkok and is retired, but he has several years experience in many parts of the world with respect to security sector reform in post-conflict situations. 

While DDR and SSR are not likely to apply in the world in which I work, they are an important part of moving toward stabilization and development within countries that have experienced many years of armed conflict and destruction.

In week 7 we began our investigation into post-war recovery, with Dr. David Connolly from University of York, UK.  Our examination included the challenges to building a sustainable peace, as well as the role that is played by all the various stakeholders that get their “hand in the pie” when money for recovery comes flooding into a war torn society.  While this is a serious issue, I must share a YouTube video with you, that illustrates the skepticism and controversy over the US efforts at post-war recovery efforts in Iraq:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcjLEwZqcQI

We ended our week 7 with an overview of the impact that trauma can have on mental health of individuals, families and communities, as well as methods of addressing these issues.  Dr. John Pead an Australian clinical psychologist that works with aboriginal tribes provided a very engaging overview of mental health issues, as well as gave each of us an opportunity to examine our own methods of coping and taking care of our own mental health needs. 

Our social activities included a trip to Khao Khoew, and open zoo that is north of Bangkok, where a group of fellows traveled on Saturday, March 24^th.  While we had a downpour of rain in the afternoon, we still all enjoyed the zoo and the exceptional reception we had from the zoo Director and his assistant.  Our VIP reception was organized by my Rotary host counselor, Sukanya, whose husband is on the Board of Directors of Khao Khoew. 

Imal and Mel feeding baby tiger

Rotary Peace Fellows and Khoa Khoew Staff

On Friday, March 30th our Rotary Host Counselors treated us to a dinner cruise along the Mae Nam Chao Phraya.

Joyce, Sukanya, Zuleika, and Sue before dinner cruise

Thai dancing on our dinner cruise

The Royal Palace at night

Saturday, March 31^st a group of us visited the Floating Markets and Hua Hin beach area.  Another fun day that enabled us to get out of the city and into the countryside.  The Floating Markets are a rare site…where you can find almost anything you want in the way of Thai souvenirs all available by vendors in floating boats or stalls along the canals.  See for yourself in the pictures below.

Joyce with baby elephant at Floating Market area

Floating Market

The afternoon at the beach was also fun…and the youngest in our group, Imal from Afghanistan, greatly enjoyed the rides he took on the banana boat, donkey, and jet ski. 

Imal and Indrajeet on beach at Hua Hin

Only another week of class before we take off for Nepal on April 7^th.  I’m sure this second field study will be another experience I’ll long remember.

Week 4 and 5: Mediation and Field Study in Mae Sot

Week 4 was filled with a lot of anxiety, tension, (we had to submit our first paper on Wednesday, March 7th) and for some, the week's instruction provided a very worthwhile overview of what it takes to be a good facilitator, mediator, and negotiator.  Our instructors this week included Jan Sunoo and  Pat Dunn from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), which is an  US agency that is directly under the President, created several years ago through the Labor Relations Act.  The purpose is to provide mediation services to companies that have collective bargaining agreements and need mediation to resolve union and management issues.

The week was filled with a number of new and not so new concepts, but also with lots of practice in facilitation, mediation, and negotiation.  However, the highlight was what both Jan and Pat brought to us with respect to their other talents—ukulele, harmonica, singing, voice imitation, and embroidery. What a talented pair.  Members of the class that wanted to learn the ukulele also had a chance for daily lessons at the end of our lunch breaks. 

On Friday night a group of us accompanied Jan to a Korean restaurant—another great experience.  Jan is of Korean heritage, so he selected all the food and introduced us to their rice wine (very smooth going down) and the Korean custom for pouring drinks.  The requirement is to use two hands to hold your glass, while another holds the bottle with two hands while pouring. 

Jake, Joyce, and Anne at the Korean Restaurant

           



Jan at the Korean restaurant



During week 5 we were off to Mae Sot for our first field study.  This was an exciting experience for many of us.  I had to start my malaria pills for this trip, but surprisingly, there were not as many mosquitoes as I anticipated.  The weather was hot—close to 100⁰ most of the days, although not as humid as Bangkok. 

When we departed for our field study in Mae Sot on March 11^th, I don’t think any of us understood what we would see and experience once we reached our destination.  Although we were briefed on the issues that we would focus on during the week and had readings to complete prior to our departure, there is nothing like “seeing” with our own eyes the circumstances surrounding the Burmese displaced population living along the Burma-Thai border.  

 For me, I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly—all rolled into one ball. Basic human rights are missing, poor living and working conditions exist, and they are harassed by the Thai authorities.  And, for many, prior to leaving their country of Burma, they were subjected to violence and atrocities from the Burmese military rulers. I could go on and on with respect to the harsh conditions and discrimination that the Burmese in Thailand experience, but here is not the place for a lengthy account of what we saw on our field study. 

The good part of what I saw on our field study has more to do with that which is not tangible.  I saw resilience and innate ability to maintain hope in what has, otherwise, been a sea of despair.  This is particularly evident in the school, the health clinic, and the various CBOs that have been established by the Burmese to help themselves.  These were examples of how people still need a sense of social order, and even in chaos, they will strive to establish that order. 

Below I’ve included a number of photos taken on this field study, including the very warm welcome we received from the Rotary Club in Mae Sot. 


Burmese School--Children's Concert



Zuleika and Jayanta with Thai performers at Rotary Welcome Dinner

Mae La Refugee Camp

2nd Week of Class and Adventures in Thailand

While we have only completed 3 of the 12 weeks that we will be here in Thailand as as Rotary Peace Fellows, I find it incredible as to the amount of learning that has occurred.  The areas we addressed this past week included several topics. First, we had an indepth presentation of a formal model for conducting conflict analysis (presented by Bjorn Holmberg, the Director of Swedepeace).  Since the use of this model is required in our first paper due next week, we had plenty of discussion about its relevance to our particular conflict situations.

On Thursday we had a briefing on issues we will face during our field study in Mae Sot--refugees from Burma, human trafficking, and migrant labor.  The overview by both Jenn Weidman and Dr. Pitch Pongsswat from Chulalongkorn University left no doubt in our mind that it would be both an eye-opening experience, as well as grueling.  But, you'll just have to wait for my blog when we return from the field study on March 18th, so stay tuned for future reports. 

Finally, we were exposed to theories of nonviolence by Dr. Chaiwat Satha Anand from Thammasat University.  He was an engaging instructor, taking us through a workshop where we discussed a series of questions, starting with a very controversial one, "How do you train killers?"  Indeed, this created a some tense moments in our class when the fellows from the military and police force were upset at the generalized perception of the other fellows that killers are people who have been brainwashed into thinking that their victims are non-human and desensitized to violence so that it becomes normative for them.

But, enough for the academic side of my adventure.  I must admit, though, that I had no idea how much work we would have to do, without much respite.  That being said, the discussions among us have been quite stimulating and none of us are afraid to speak our mind.  At least no fist fights have broken out…yet.

The social side of the week started with a football (i.e., soccer) match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University.  While I'm not much into sports, there was no way to avoid it on Saturday.  We all had to wear the required Chula vs. Thammasat pink shirt, and engage in the day-long activities that I equate to tailgate events—turbo charged.  I've embedded some pictures and link with some video I took for one of the events going on outside the gates before the match started.  I'm sure you'll be asking yourself, "What exactly am I seeing dressed in those costumes--male, female, shemale?"

Chula-Thammasat Football Match--the Pink Shirts

Another costume at the Chula-Thammasat Event

A video at the Chula-Thammasat Match

On Sunday we all took off for a City Tour.  What a day.  It was oppressively hot and humid, with so many thousands of people at all the sites, it really was difficult to enjoy.  But, then, I never have been one to like squeezing through crowds and being herded around like cattle. Regardless, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald (really jade) Buddha, and Wat Pho, home of the Giant Reclining Buddha (and I do mean giant), are like nothing else I've ever seen.  That, along with a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River, meant a long day that exhausted many of us.  Pictures below show some of the highlights of this city tour. 

Grand Palace Statue

    

Grand Palace Buddhas



The Reclining Buddha

Houses along the river

I love my Buddha



In closing, I have been asked:  How's the food? How's the landscape?  What about the people and their language?  Have you been to the shore yet for a swim? 


Quick answers to these questions are:  I love the food, even some that is so spicy hot that your eyes water and nose runs.  Haven’t seen much of the landscape yet, except the urban jungle of Bangkok, which is navigable via the great overhead train system, Tuk Tuks and cabs. 


The people are all very friendly, with a language that is impossible to read— กรุณาแจ้งปัญหาใดๆ—and difficult to pronounce.  But, two mornings a week we have the opportunity to take Thai lessons offered through the Chula Rotaract group, so I have been doing that.  So far, I’ve mastered the basic greeting—Sawatdee, Ka—and thank-you—Khob Kun Ka.  What can I say, I never have had an ear for languages. 


Finally, I haven’t been to the shore yet, but it’s on my list of things to do in upcoming weekends.  As a group, we’re planning a number of day and week-end trips. No doubt, I’m going to squeeze in everything that I can while here. As they say, carpe diem.


Enough for this week.



Our First Week of Class

I feel as though I've been here for a long time, yet, it is only 12 days that I've been in Thailand. Already I know my way around the campus, how to get to places on the BTS (Bangkok's overhead train system), where to go for a good Thai massage, to shop for groceries, to get my laundry done, and I am gradually getting used to the bed, which feels like I'm sleeping on a board. The Thai massage ranges between pure euphoria and pure torture--especially when the masseuse finds every sore spot in your body and digs her elbow into it. But I am a glutten for punishment, as I plan on getting this massage at least once a week--the cost is around $13 for 2 hours, a cost you cannot beat.

Overall, it has been a very stimulating first week of classroom study. The lecturers we had this week were Tom Woodhouse (one of the authors of Contempory Conflict Resolution, a seminal work in the area of peace and conflict resolution studies) and Irene Santiago, who provided us with an overview of how gender should be part of the analysis and practical application of peace efforts.  While we were all exhausted after a full week of class (7 hours a day, 5 days a week), we all came away stimulated and actively engaged in discussions outside of class.  This week we were introduced to theory and concepts, as well as participated in simulations realted to the negotiation process, had group work with case studies on peace making efforts, and analyzed our own style of conflict management. 

Presentation on My Individual Conflict Project

Of course, the week also included a number of social activities that helped us relax and enjoy the area here in Bangkok.  One very unique outing we had was to a restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms.  Yes, condoms.  It is run by an NGO that supports HIV-AIDS prevention efforts.  Indeed, it was an experience to behold.  The decorations included numerous artistic items, all made from multi-colored condoms.  The picture below shows me next to Combat Condom Guy. 

Joyce and Combat Condom Guy

That's all for this week...I'm sure our next week in class also be exciting.  We have lots of reading to complete and must prepare ourselves to write our first paper, which is an analysis of our individual conflict project.

Week 1 in Bangkok

Our first week as a Rotary Peace Fellow is over.  We had several days of orientation by Jenn, the Deputy Director  of the Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University.  I'm happy to say that the orienation was very informative, not only about Thai culture and history, but as well, it provided us an overview of the course of studies we will be completing.  As well, we had plenty of opportunity for all of us, as fellows, to get to know each other.  We have already bonded and enjoyed plenty of "outside of class" activities together.

On Saturday the Rotary Center of Thailand had a day-long orienation, which included introductions of all the Rotarian host and co-host counselors, as well as an overview of Rotary.  The keynote speaker, Bhichai Rattakul, a Past Rotary International President, was the founder of the program at Chulalongkorn University.  He was a remarkable man and very inspirational in his talk.  The one point he made, which is important for all of us to remember is: "If you can only solve one problem [when you return home], it will be worthwhile." 

Below I have added some photos from my first week as a Rotary Peace Fellow. The first two are from the Rotary Club of Bangkapi, which I attended with my host and co-host counselors and another fellow on February 14, 2012.

The next picture is me with Bhichai, who handed out our Rotary Peace Fellow alumni pins during our orientation on Feb. 18, 2012.

 This picture has a majority of the fellows and Peace Center staff, while we were at the Rotary Orientation on February 19, 2012.

And, finally, a few of us needed to unwind after the long week.  We found a place in Bangkok along Sukhumvit Blvd., where I'm sure we'll end up many a weekend nights for some fun and relaxation.