Strengthening Human Rights Education Through Collaboration
For years, the NCHR has been dedicated to fostering a robust Human Rights Education network that bridges North-East and South-East Asia. This year's meeting centered on the theme of 'Business and Human Rights'. Academics from the Asia region gathered in Bangkok to explore the dynamics of teaching BHR within Human Rights Education, addressing both the hurdles and the potential avenues for progress.
Dialogue at Prince Mahidol Centre, Mahidol University
The first day of the meeting featured a series of discussions, and speakers from academia, AICHR, the UN, and civil society provided insights into the regional challenges associated with BHR. Opening remarks were made by Prof. Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University, followed by Dr. Vachararutai Boontinand from AUN-HRE and Cecilie Figenschou Bakke from the NCHR.
The inaugural keynote address was delivered by H.E. Prof. Amara Pongsapich, stressing the importance of enforceable human rights obligations within ASEAN business practices. This was followed by keynote addresses from AICHR Representative H.E. Yuyun Wahyuningrum (Indonesia) on accountability mechanisms, and H.E. Edmund Bon Tai Soon, the Malaysian AICHR representative, sharing insights into operationalizing due diligence frameworks.
The day continued with a series of panels and discussions, including a panel on Closing the Implementation Gap, featuring Victoria Skeie (NCHR PhD research fellow), Dr. Zhou Haibin (CEO, Easy Inclusion), and Dr. Patricia Waagstein (Universitas Indonesia). Another panel on Trends and Challenges in BHR featured contributions from Assoc. Prof. Tang Yingxia (Nankai University Law School), H.E. Yuyun Wahyuningrum, and Dr. Seree Nonthasut (UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights).
Networking and Insights at the Ministry of Justice of Thailand
The second day shifted to a vibrant networking meeting at the Ministry of Justice of Thailand. Participants engaged in discussions led by Victoria Skeie, Dr. Zhou Haibin, and Dr. Patricia Waagstein, who shared their experiences and best practices in teaching BHR courses. Dr. Pimrapaat Dutsadeeitsariyakul (Friedrich Naumann Foundation/RLPD, MoJ) shared details of her project aimed at integrating BHR into Human Rights curricula through specialized teacher training programs.
The engaging presentations spurred a lively round-table conversation about BHR education, where participants openly exchanged challenges and solutions related to their teaching experiences. Post-lunch, the event was graced by representatives from the Rights and Liberties Protection Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Justice. They discussed the newly adopted National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, highlighting the nation’s efforts and aspirations to bridge the implementation gap.
Looking Ahead: HRE in the Asia Region
The 8th Regional Network Meeting facilitated an important exchange of knowledge and reinforced the collective commitment towards advancing Human Rights Education in the region. In the coming years, the NCHR remains dedicated to supporting academics and practitioners in their pursuit of integrating Business and Human Rights into educational frameworks, thereby nurturing the next generation of students and their knowledge of human rights.
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