The Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Affairs Division at MFU held a special lecture about the United Nations for students and the general public on 23 February 2017 at the C5 building.
This lecture aimed to create an understanding of Thailand’s diplomatic role in the framework of multilateral diplomacy. The lecture also aimed to increase public awareness of the advantages of being a member of the United Nations.
There were a series of interesting presentations on various topics including general information about the United Nations, the energetic and the creative roles of Thailand on the world stage, multilateral diplomacy under the three pillars of the United Nations, and career opportunities for students in the international affairs areas. The presentations were given by Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Organizations Ms. Morakot Sriwasdi; former Ambassador of Thailand to The Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Mr. Manop Mekprayoonthong and officers of the Department of International Organizations.
On the subject of the energetic and creative roles of Thailand on the world stage, Ms. Morakot stated that there were many Thai people who played the significant roles in the UN such as Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, who was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador on the Rule of Law for Southeast Asia. Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha played a key role in drafting and presenting the United Nations Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Female Offenders, and, on the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Monthian Buntan strived to make information and communication technologies accessible to persons with disabilities.
Mr. Manop added that Thailand has played a leading role in promoting the sufficiency economy philosophy (SEG) in the region and beyond to achieve global goals for sustainable development. Thailand is also actively involved in a number of peacekeeping operations across the globe.
As a member of the UN, Thailand can share perspectives for preventing conflictand protecting the benefits of the nation while focusing on international matters. Thailand can also enhance economic and social welfare through cooperating with and participating in the UN’s activities. Additionally, Thailand has become the regional hub for the UN system in Asia and the Pacific. Consequently, Bangkok has become known as the “Geneva of Asia”.
For the younger generation, the officers suggested that students take roles for helping the world to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) and also recommended career opportunities for students in the international affairs and multilateral diplomacy areas. Moreover, the keynote speakers emphasised other significant factors that will mobilise Thailand and the world to meet SDGs with the people’s strong intention and participation.
All in all, this talk provided a venue for the younger generation to understand the operations of the UN and Thailand’s active involvement on the world stage in the fields of development, peace and security, and human rights. Students became more aware of their roles in sustainable development and also were inspired to participate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other international organizations.
