On 19 December 2024, the Global Relations Division, in collaboration with the Chiang Rai Migrant Workers Assistance Center, organised an International Migrants Day event to raise awareness and understanding about migrants' rights and challenges. The opening ceremony featured speeches by Dr. Nichan Singhaputargun, Acting Head of Global Relations Division, and Dr. Suebsakul Kijnukorn from the Chiang Rai Migrant Workers Assistance Center.
The United Nations has designated December 18th as International Migrants Day to emphasize the importance of respecting the human rights and dignity of migrants worldwide. This aligns with Mae Fah Luang University's vision of developing students into global citizens who are open-minded and respectful of diversity.
The event began with a screening of the documentary "Hours of Ours," which powerful portrays the story of a Sudanese family seeking refuge in Bangkok and their relationship with a Thai film director who recently returned from abroad. The film reflects the uncertainties in refugees' lives and the relationships that develop amid hardships.
Following the screening, a panel discussion on "Rights and Challenges of Migrants: Perspectives from Different Migrant Representatives" was held. Distinguished speakers including Mr. Zarni Maung, a fourth-year student from the School of Social Innovation; Ms. Reni Juwitasari, a researcher from the Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID); and Mr. Thwin Phyoe Paing, a representative from the Chiang Rai Migrant Workers Assistance Center. Students from the School of Social Innovation moderated the discussion, providing youth with opportunities to exchange views and learn about important issues that migrants face in their daily lives.
The event also featured an introduction to the "Write for Rights" campaign by students from the School of Law. This Amnesty International project aims to address various human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of expression, forced displacement, and discrimination based on gender, religion, and sexual orientation.
The event concluded with colorful and impressive student activities, including cultural performances by the Myanmar Student Club and a shared dinner featuring special Shan Noodles prepared by the International Student Club. The event attracted significant student interest, with over 70 participants, reflecting the successful raising of awareness and understanding about migrant issues among youth.
The organizing team reflections:
1. Ms Su Lwin Lwin Thaw, a 3rd-year student from the School of Social Innovation
Organizing the International Migrants Day activity was very special. Despite some hiccups due to the limited preparation time, being able to conclude the event successfully makes us feel relieved and happy to have organized it. Since the beginning, it was our intentional to celebrate this day and bring everyone in our community together. "We are all migrants" is a phrase that we believe everyone could relate to. As university students, most of us migrated to a new place to start our academic journey. Some of us are migrating across borders. Being away from home during the holidays, we wanted to have everyone to spend time together while creating a sense of belonging as part of the community along with learning about the rights and challenges of migrants through the experiences of various individuals from different backgrounds. If everyone felt less lonely on the holidays and gained a piece of knowledge about migrants, we believe that our objectives from this event have been met.
2. Ms Nan Ei Hlyen Htet Soe, a 2nd-year student from the School of Social Innovation
The inspiration to organize the Migrant Day event came from a desire to raise awareness about Migrants’ struggles and contributions as I am also an international student who struggles a lot in the document process. When the event ended, there was a sense of joy and fulfilment, knowing it helped meaningful conversations, film, and promote understanding about migrants’ lives. I hope in the next year, I would like to organize this event again.
