On 26 December 2023, the Department of East Asian Affairs co-organised an academic seminar in collaboration with the International Security Unit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entitled “Enhancing the Role of Youth in Promoting Social Diversity in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand” at Narathip Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The seminar was chaired by Ms. Pinsuda Jayanama, Ambassador attached to the Ministry. Three foreign experts, namely H.E. Mr. Rozan Yunos, former Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Ms. Safira Machrusah, Deputy Secretary-General of the Executive Board of Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) and former Ambassador of Indonesia to Algeria, and Mr. Eddin Khoo, Senior Fellow, Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, were invited as speakers to discuss the concept of multiculturalism and the roles of youths in promoting social diversity in Southeast Asia. Additionally, four Thai government officials were invited to exchange views and provide recommendations based on their experiences in youth empowerment in the Southern Border Provinces (SBPs) of Thailand. These included Mr. Phongsak Yingchancharoen, Mayor of Yala City, Ms. Anissa Naksevi, First Secretary at the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara, and Ms. Rohana Hayeeyusoh, Policy and Planning Analyst from the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre, and Mr. Usman Waji, Policy and Planning Analyst, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Overall, more than 60 participants attended the event, which included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Thai Embassy, the Royal Thai Consulate-General, and relevant Thai governmental agencies.

The experts from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia shared their insights on multiculturalism and how the government should promote youth participation in their respective countries. They also discussed about how youths can play an important role in creating a society that is inclusive and open for all people of different identities and religions, and how the government should deal with challenges arising from advanced technology and engagement among diverse communities.

Meanwhile, the Thai speakers shared their personal experiences as SBPs locals, and provided recommendations on how the government agencies could strengthen the roles of youth in promoting diversity and utilize social diversity to help promote economic and tourism development in the SBPs.

This academic seminar was an initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help promote diversity in the SBPs, which is in line with the Foreign Affairs Masterplan on Synergy that aims to promote people-oriented foreign policy.