Rotary Orientation

July 2 , 2007 - Rotary Orientation for Class III participants in the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program began at the Rotary Center in Bangkok, Thailand. Topics included the history of Peace Studies programs that are supported by the Rotary Foundation, information on Rotary International, and a celebratory dinner cruise along the Chao Ph raya River.

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan (left), former Foreign Minister of Thailand, spoke about his experience with the peace process in Banda, Aceh province of Indonesia. He was introduced by Dr. Amara Pongsapich (right), Director of the Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. After the lecture entitled "Effects of Third Party Mediation on Peacebuilding," Dr. Pitsuwan answered questions by Simon Milward and Pushpika Weerakoon.

Module 4

February 19-March 6, 2007 - A fourth and last module of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program emphasizes the issues of conflict transformation and building a sustainable peace touching upon topics ranged from natural resources and trans-boundary conflict resolution, peace education and culture of peace to spiritual component of peace building, gender and peace building and policy advocacy for peacemaking.

Phra Paisarn Visalo strengthens the discussion on spiritual component of peace building with his Buddhist beliefs and practices.		Dr.Imtiyaz Yusuf from Assumption University leads the discussion on interfaith and intra-faith dialogue
Ms.Loretta Castro, Director Center for Peace Education at Miriam College, Philippines shares her decade-long works on peace education		Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan of Nonviolence International refers to his researches and experiences on post-armed conflict resolution
Dr.Clarence Dias speaks about his experiences in the United Nations and international organizations regarding policy advocacy for peacemaking		Mr.Chaiwat Thirapantu of Civic Net leads group discussions on capacity and network building
Reena Kukreja from the Department of Film Studies, Queens University in Canada speaks about women representation in conflict zones by the media

Thai Class

- Ms.Supatra Supchukul represents generosity of the host country Thailand with her regular well-prepared lessons on Thai language conducted for her international fellow participants prior to the RPCS sessions. The lessons focus on language in everyday use from greetings, food ordering and finding ways around.

Supatra Supchukul regularly conducts lessons on basic Thai language for her international fellow participants.

Ajaan (means teacher in Thai) Supatra Supchukul asks her fellow participants to repeat after her in pronouncing different directions in Thai

Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program Public Seminar
"Global Perspectives on Peace: The Pathway to Solving Conflicts in the 21^st Century"

March 8, 2007 - The Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University held its bi-annual seminar entitled Global Perspectives on Peace: the Pathway to Solving Conflicts in the 21^st Century, on the 8^th of March in the Main Auditorium of the Chulalongkorn University.

Four papers were delivered by the participants who conducted conflict analyses and research on the countries of Iran, Cambodia, North Korea, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. A panel of experts were present to comment on the papers, including the Ambassador of Iran His Excellency His Excellency Mohsen Pakaein, who gave his valuable comments on the group presentation outlining Iran's nuclear program, Director of Africa Division, Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Tomwit Jarnson, Prof. Dr.Khien Theeravit, Institute of Asian Studies and Dr.Puangthong Pawakapan of Political Science Faculty and , Chulalongkorn University.

The audience was fortunate to have the wisdom and insight of Mr. M.R. Suhkumbhand Paribatra, former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Thailand, who delivered the keynote speech "Some Thoughts on Conflict Resolution in the Post 9/11 World," an appropriate closure for the Rotary Center's program.

Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich and Rotary International Director Mr.Noraseth Pathmanand at the opening of Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program public seminar		(from left) Fr.Giovanni Contarin (Italy/Thailand), Dunesh Gankanda (Sri Lanka), Bella Aberin (Philippines) and Maarifa Vincent Ndekezi (Rwanda) present their analysis and recommendations on "Cambodia: the Challenges of Building a Pluralistic Society in a Post-War Context"
Panel presentation ""Hungry for World Peace: Understanding the North Korea Nuclear Conflict" is delivered by (from left) Francis Kabosha (Zambia), Guo Hualong (China), Lynne Favinger (USA) and Krishna Adhikari (Nepal)		One of Thailand's most respectful experts on East Asia Dr.Khien Theeravit comments on the North Korea Nuclear Conflict presentation
(from left) Savath Meas (Cambodia), Ramnarayan Gagrani (India), Gu Shaohua (China) and Abdulai Jalloh (Sierra Leone) on the panel presentation "Democratic Republic of the Congo: Pathway to Peace in the Heart of Africa"		Panel Presentation "From Arms to Peace in Iran: Changing the Course of the Middle East" comprises of Rev.Riye Magaji (Nigeria), Saran Koy (Cambodia), Jarod Pepper (USA), Supatra Supchukul (Thailand) and Babasaheb Samudre (India)
Keynote speech "Some Thoughts on Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Post 9/11 World" by M.R.Suhkumbhand Paribatra		RPCS group with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Thailand His Excellency Mohsen Pakaein (first row in the middle)

Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Graduation Ceremony and Farewell Party

March 9, 2007 - The graduation party marked the end of three months of dedication and commitment on the part of the participants. The Rotary Center was fortunate to have the attendance of the host counselors as well as Dr. Werasak Udormkitchdecha, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University. The evening presented many occasions for gift-giving and appreciation. There were also colorful presentations of singing and dancing from the participants themselves.

Director of Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich addresses welcome remarks at the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program Graduation Ceremony		Chulalongkorn University Vice President Assoc. Pro. Dr.Werasak Udormkitchdecha presents Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Certificate to Ramnarayan Gagrani (India) and 16 other international participants
Remarks by Director of Rotary International (2005-07) Mr. Noraseth Pathmanand		Ms.Lynne Favinger (USA) and Fr.Giovanni Contarin (Italy/Thailand) represent RPCS participants in giving remarks at the Graduation Ceremony
RPCS participants with Prof. Dr.Amara Pongsapich, lecturers and Rotarians		RPCS participants represent diversity in their traditional costumes
International performances from RPCS participants: (first row from left) traditional dance by Maarifa Vincent Ndekezi (Rwanda), fisherfolk dance by Savath Meas and Saran Koy (Cambodia), song and dance by Abdulai Jalloh (Sierra Leone), musical performance by Guo Hualong and Gu Shoahua (China), (second row from left) Venetian Mask show by Fr.Giovanni Contarin (Italy), beautiful love song by Bella Aberin (Philippines), Duet Tina Turner's Rolling by Lynne Favinger and Jarod Pepper (USA), traditional song by Krishna Adhikari (Nepal)