On October 19, 2023, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP) as the host of the
ASEAN University Network-Human Rights Education (AUN-HRE) organized the 7th Regional
Network Meeting on Human Rights and Peace Education: Interface Meeting between
Lecturers from ASEAN, China and Northeast Asia. Dr. Vachararutai Boontinand, Director of
the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University and AUN-HRE Convener
and Ms. Yi Wang from the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights welcomed the participants and
provided background and objectives of the meeting. The meeting brought together AUN-HRE
members from 17 universities, an associate member from Japan and other educators from
ASEAN countries as well as scholars from four universities in China who are involved in human
rights and peace education. Participants reflected on human rights and peace education in their
universities, discussed key priorities and explored further collaboration including through the
ASEAN Credit Transfer System.
AUN-HRE members also had a roundtable discussion on Oct 21, 2023 to review pedagogical
practices in human rights and peace courses in ASEAN universities. Good practices were shared
and challenges in teaching and learning of human rights in the current political contexts were
also discussed. Members agreed to contribute to a research study to further enhance human rights
education in the region. Dr. Vachararutai Boontinand and her team will be developing AUN-
HRE strategic plan for the next three years which will be supported by the Norwegian Center for
Human Rights, University of Oslo and Mahidol University.
As the meeting concluded, AUN-HRE members expressed grave concern over the loss of lives
of Israeli and Palestinians and the devastation caused by the assaults and bombing in the ongoing
Gaza conflict. The members stand in solidarity with the people affected and hope that peaceful
solutions to the conflict would be reached soon.
