On May 18th, 2022, President of Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (RMUTP), assigned Dr. Kongkiet Maha-in, Assistant President for Cultural Affairs, and Ms. Malika Wirasai, Director of the Student Development Division, to participate in the training program “Driving a Proactive Cultural Movement, Leading the Development of Suitable Models in Educational Institutions.” This program aims to provide knowledge, understanding, exchange of opinions, and to promote sustainable peace culture within educational institutions. The event took place from May 18th to 19th, 2022, at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University’s Dhurakij Pundit University Conference Hall. During the event, Dr. Supanat Poomvivat, Director of the Institute of Peace and Dispute Resolution, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, stated that the purpose of creating a peace culture is not to eliminate conflicts, as conflicts cannot be entirely eradicated, but rather to manage them to prevent escalation. The approach involves three dimensions: prevention, management, and resolution. The focus is on respecting and accepting diversity, such as gender and religious differences. Peace culture should avoid any form of violence, both direct and indirect. It is about promoting understanding through sincere listening and generating consensus through respectful dialogue. A peace culture within educational institutions encompasses three aspects: 1. A culture of respecting and accepting diversity. 2. A culture that rejects violence in all forms. 3. A culture of listening leading to consensus. The process starts from self-awareness, and analyzing conflicts involves all individuals who contribute to building a peace culture. While there might not be a one-size-fits-all solution for creating a peace culture, the aim is to adapt and apply suitable strategies within educational institutions.
