Moral Imagination: Roles of Creative Communication and Media for Peace in Thailand’s Deep South

Abstract

          The article aims to present the roles and potential of creative communicators, essence, form and content of creative media for conflict transformation and peacebuilding in Thailand’s deep south. The qualitative research includes interview and focus group discussion methods. The informants consisted of youth, artists, designers, communicators, and social activists.
          The research result shows key points for developing the effective creative communication as follows:  the creativity in communication to change the positive and negative impacts on individuals and communities affected by violent conflict, peace dialogue and pursuit of the cooperation between people in minimizing the negative impact of conflict and empowering individuals to grow physically, emotionally, and attitudes to cope with some changes that may occur over time in the peace-building process. We found that creative activists apply communication strategies with their creative skills to establish relationships among different people. They create a shared hope and enhance people to realize the importance of freedom. Recognition of personal and social identities and respect for difference is essential things for building peace. However, imagination and creativity are still limited by the socio-cultural structure and power structure that persist in this area and are a key factor in determining the viability of people in the peacebuilding process.
            The research conclusion leads to the following suggestions:  opening the spaces of creativity and the freedom of expression, providing opportunities for people to think and design their future with creativity, encouraging the participation of people in peace process, and supporting creative communication activities.