Story and photo by Surasak ‘Geng’ Witoon, English Crazy Club, Ubon Ratchathani
Young Isaan activists and CIEE student are sharing their experience, hopes and dream on the effort that they have for the people of Isaan communities.
Young activists from different areas of the Isaan (Northeastern Thailand) were converging to Khon Kean University for the 2nd Human Rights Festival, held during 8-9 December, 2009.
After the inaugural Human Rights Festival in Ubon Ratchathani Province early this year, the second HRF followed successively, organised and led by groups of university students from Council of International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and Khon Kaen University. This regional event also brought together big groups of young Isaan students from Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kean, Maha Sarakham, Surin, and other neighbouring provinces. Also, the villagers, who have suffered human rights violations throughout Isaan region, took actions in human rights issues.
Kwansuda Hattakit or Kwan, an English and Communication major student from Ubon Ratchathani University, is one of the participants in this ‘Common Right’ forum, expressing her feeling after a four hour travelling directly from Ubon Ratchathani. “I am very excited and happy to be a small part of this big forum”. “After the news of this event was announced by P’ Aom, the club’s co-ordinator, I was the first one who signed the name, making for this forum”, said the 21 year old active participant. Apart from being the participant, Kwan took part in this event as a representative from the English Crazy Club as a basic translator for the CIEE students with her 10 friends. “It is also our good opportunity to practise our English skill as well as learn new things about human rights”, Kwan added.
Pattra Worralak or Kra-Tai, the former co-ordinator for the first Human Rights Festival and a forth year Political Science student from Khon Kaen University, told that this forum is just like a stage for university students from all around Isaan region to gather themselves, meet up with new friends, bring some serious issues about human rights violations to share with those from other areas and find possible solutions. The 22 year old from Dao Din Club (Stars+Earth) also continued that she and other friends are now dealing with the violation issue in Baan Na Nong Bong, Loei Province. “People in that area have got devastating effects from the gold mining, the unorganised developmental projects” said Kra-Tai. “Besides our field study at Na Nong Bong, we are additionally teaching the youth in the village some knowledge about how to protect their rights and also training them some camp games and songs” elaborating Kratai.
This ‘Common Right’ does not only provide the opportunities for the university students to meet up with the intellectuals from the national human rights commission of Thailand but also the villagers, who brought their real experiences and took their actions with hopes to raise their voices and tell what they have been sustaining. Thurtpan Pongpetch or Peaw, a graduate from Maha Sarakham University, expressed his deep sympathy after the two day participation and exchange some villagers. “Even if we cannot do such a big deal as solving all the problems, at least, we can be their moral supporters”. The 22 year old from Tiang Na Prachakhom organisation was standing up for the aunts and uncles. “At least, you still have this group of university students who are willing to hear and ready to help you out”. “‘Do not yet feel hopeless”, cheering Peaw.
The second edition of Human Right Festival, under the name of ‘The Common Rights’, came to the end with the awe-inspiring mark left. The delegates have been marked with the deeper inspiration to work out for common rights in Isaan region. This is probably a hopeful sign of a strong network among Isaan youth in a near future.
Andreu Neri, friend from the CIEE, USA
“I hope it will get bigger and bigger each year. People get together and maybe become an international network.”
Thurtpan 'Peaw' Pongpetch from Tieng Na Prachakhom organisation, Maha Sarakham
“I do not have much expectation on this festival, but if only we would organise this kind of activities all together again and I strongly believe that there will be the second, third and forth one consecutively.”
Pattra 'Kratai' Worralak, a political science student and a member of the Dao-Din group, Khon Kaen University
“I do not know whether it is too ambitious or not, but I really want to see the day when many groups of Isaan university students become a strong one and are able to help the villagers, who are facing problem issues in each area and hands in hands fight with them.”
Even if this even is just the beginning movement of this Isaan Youth network, it is undeniable that a little change has been made in the matters of Isaan human rights. As long as these Isaan groups are still moving, connecting and co-working, they are getting closer to the communal goal.
