Rotary Orientation

January 6, 2007 - The second session of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program took off with its orientation at the Rotary Center in Thailand on March 6, 2007. The event was attended by Chair of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Selection Committee and Past President of Rotary International (2002-03) Mr. Bhichai Rattakul as well as Rotary International Director Noraseth Pathmanand, Director of Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich and Host Area Coordinator PDG Dr. Saowalak Rattanavich.

The orientation is to familiarize international RPCS participants with Rotary vision and missions as well as their Rotarian host counselors and Thai culture. The second session of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program comprises of 17 participants from 13 different countries in various regions of Asia, America and Africa.

Chair of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Selection Committee and Past President of Rotary International (2002-03) Mr. Bhichai Rattakul addresses his welcome remarks		Mr. Bhichai Rattakul addresses the welcome remarks and shares his vision of peace. The other panelists include (from right) Director of Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich, Host Area Coordinator PDG Dr. Saowalak Rattanavich, Rotary International Director Noraseth Pathmanand and Deputy Director of Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies Mr.Tucker McCravy
Mr. Bhichai Rattakul addresses his welcome remarks to Rotarians and RPCS participants		Director of Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich introduces the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program

Module 1

January 9-13, 2007 - A week-long first module of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program introduces participants to the basic concepts and values of peace and conflict studies as well as invites the international participants to share their enriched experiences of conflict stories. It is facilitated by two regionally well-known academics: Dr. Kamarulzaman Askandar from University of Sains, Malaysia and Dr.Chaiyan Rajchagool from Chiang Mai University, Thailand

Dr. Kamarulzaman Askandar from University of Sains, Malaysia motivates RPCS participants with his views on Conflict Resolution: The State of Art		Dr.Chaiyan Rajchagool from Chiang Mai University shares the sessions on Conflict Resolution: Class Models, Concepts and Strategies
Dr. Kamarulzaman Askandar spells out Nature, Types and Root Causes of Conflict

Module 2

January 15-18, 2007 - The second week of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program focuses on the Diagnosis and Analysis of Conflict which brings together the international experts including Dr. Erik Melander from Uppsala University (Sweden), Director of Peace Building Institute Dr. Ischan Malik (Indonesia), Dr. Chookiat Panaspornprasit and Dr.Surat Horachaikul from Chulalongkorn University (Thailand).

Dr.Erik Melander from Uppsala University, Sweden shares with RPCS participants the famous Uppsala's model of Conflict Mapping and Conflict Impact Assessment		Dr.Chookiat Panaspornprasit, Chulalongkorn University shares his expertise on the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict case study
Director of Peace Building Institute Dr.Ichasan Malik (Indonesia) speaks passionately of his involvement in resolving the Mollucas conflict of Indonesia		Dr.Surat Horachaikul from Chulalongkorn University discusses his analysis on root causes and resolution of the conflict in Kashmir

Field Study 1: Southern Thailand

January 22-26, 2007 - The first field study trip of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program visits the long-standing conflict Southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to learn about causes and dynamics of conflict through different perspectives of various stakeholders. The visits include the historical sites of Yarang Ancient Town and Krue Se Mosque (Pattani), the local and regional educational institution such as Noorul Islam Bhumi Witthaya School (Pattani) and Yala Islamic College, Datoh Fishing Village (Pattani), the Royal-project of Sufficiency Economy Village (Narathiwat) and Justice and Reconciliation Center (Pattani).

The group also participates in presentations and discussions on "Southern Violence: Diagnosis, Policies and Implementations" by the representatives of Southern Border Provinces Administration and Civil Police Military Combined Command, as well as the interaction on Issara News Center with well-known journalist Mr. Don Pathan and the meeting with family members of violence victims at Baan Kuan Noree in Pattani.

RPCS participants with local historian Ust. Hj.Ismail Benjasmith, Director Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich (first row, third and fourth from left) and Deputy Director Mr.Tucker McCravy (first from right) at Yarang Ancient Town, Pattani		RPCS group in front of Krue Se Mosque, Pattani
RPCS participants and Director Muhammad Adam of Noorul Islam Bhumi Witthaya School (Pattani)		Pol. Maj. Gen.Punya Tiansart of Civil Police Military Combined Command and Mr. Muhammad Rorfee Musor from Southern Border Provinces Administration (in the middle) on the panel discussion "Southern Violence: Diagnosis, Policies and Implementations" at CS Pattani Hotel, Pattani
Dr.Sukee Langputeh, Dean of Arts Faculty gives RPCS participants a campus tour of Yala Islamic College		Participants Supatra Supchukul (Thailand, second from left) and Lynne Favinger (U.S.A., first from right) with young Muslim students at Pattani Central Mosque
Abdulloh Jehtae of Datoh Fishing Village (standing) shares his research and views on conflict over natural aquatic resources of Pattani Bay		RPCS participants observe the handicraft works, major source of income, of Sufficiency Economy Village, Narathiwat
Local journalist Muhammad Ayub Pathan (in the middle) shares through interpreters Zakee Pitakumpol (left) and Alisa Hasamoh (right) his views and experiences on news coverage of Southern Thailand conflict		Journalist Don Pathan passionately discusses works of Issara News Center
Participants Babasaheb Samudre (India), Maarifa Vincent Ndekezi (Rwanda) and Francis Kabosha (Zambia) (last row) with pleasant young faces of Baan Kuan Noree, Pattani		Local coordinator Soraya Jamjuree (first from left) translates stories from widows of violence victims at Baan Kuan Noree, Pattani
Pratya Kananuraksa discusses the establishment and works of Justice and Reconciliation Center (Pattani) in assisting violence victims