Conflict and Peace Studies Journal

การพัฒนาสตรีในพระพุทธศาสนา

Chitsanuphong Sanpha — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Sarawak after 61 Years in the Malaysian Federation: Where to Now?

Murray Hunter — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Sarawak was thrust into a federation, along with Malaya, Singapore, and Sabah (Noth Borneo) on September 16, 1963. Sixty-one years later, Sarawak finds itself still reconning with history, due to continued negotiation with Putra Jaya on the Malaysia Agreement (MA63), and a cultural and political void between itself and peninsula Malaya. There are now a number of contentious issues between Sarawak and Putra Jaya, plus a rebound in Sarawak nationalism which are shaping the region’s future directions. This article will look at these issues and canvas aspirations for further governmental autonomy and/or eventual independence from Malaysia.

Living the Civil Disobedience Movement: An Examination of the Motivations and Consequences for Myanmar's University Teachers

Ei Khine, Mya Mya San, Coeli Barry — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines what motivated university teachers in Myanmar to leave their secure positions in the academe and join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in the wake of the 2021 coup there. Using a phenomenological approach and semi-structured interviews with CDM university teachers, our findings reveal a high degree of idealism and the conviction that working under military rule would not be tenable. Our research looked at the lived experiences of and longer-term consequences for the university teacher CDM participants, an issue that has not received much scholarly attention. The themes that emerged include belief that the coup was unjust, concern for democratic backsliding and worries over the working conditions within universities under military rule, as well as personal safety concerns, economic hardships, social isolation, and repercussions in their professional lives. In communicating through the interviewees' words what it is like to continue to survive, our findings also allow us to identify some common issues. By looking at the economic and emotional, as well as professional, consequences of 'living CDM' and capturing insights into how people survive, we enrich post-coup Myanmar studies and the study of civil disobedience more widely.

Third-Party Roles in Thailand’s Hijab Ban Conflict: A Case Study of a School

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This qualitative research examines the conflict over the prohibition of wearing the hijab in schools by analyzing existing documents and relevant studies and conducting in-depth interviews with two third-party organizations involved in the conflict: the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) and the Muslim for Peace Foundation. The study explores the perspectives and roles of third parties in the dynamics of the conflict, employing the concepts of third-party interventions and the Interest/Rights/Power (IRP) concept as the analytical framework. The findings reveal that third-party interventions in the hijab conflict among students manifest in two primary forms: The first form is facilitating dialogue and communication. The third parties played a role in listening and creating spaces for communication. The second form is balancing power dynamics. The third parties sought to support the less empowered side in the conflict. The study highlights the complexity of conflict management, influenced partly by the power imbalance between the disputing parties and differing attitudes toward human rights principles. This research underscores the importance of a third-party comprehensive understanding of the conflict in relation to its social and cultural context and the power dynamics among the involved actors. Furthermore, raising awareness about human rights and fostering societal acceptance of diversity and multiculturalism can contribute to more effective implementation of related regulations and laws, ultimately promoting peaceful coexistence.

Role of Local Administrative Organizations in Peacebuilding in the Southernmost Provinces of Thailand toward the SDG 16

Kayanee Chor Boonpunth, Niwadee Saheem — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to study the role of local administrative organizations in promoting peace in the three southern border provinces of Thailand under Sustainable Development Goal 16, as well as to examine the challenges faced by these organizations in fostering peace in the region under the same goal. This is a qualitative research study, using in-depth interviews. The key informants were specifically selected, comprising 21 representatives of the executives of local administrative organizations. The research findings indicate that the role of local administrative organizations under Sustainable Development Goal 16 is crucial in supporting state agencies responsible for maintaining peace and order. Additionally, these organizations place significant importance on improving the quality of life for local citizens by organizing activities that promote multiculturalism, with a focus on religious and sports-related events. Furthermore, local administrative organizations play a key role in establishing networks, acting as mediators, and creating mechanisms for collaboration, with a primary target group being children and youth. The challenges include budget limitations, regulations, and personnel recruitment for working in these areas.

Expression of Identity of Tadika Students: Perspectives of New Generation Community Leaders, Government Officials, and Religious Leaders in Pattani Province

Firhana Hawaekachi, Nuttanan Thongnon — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to 1) examine the attitudes of the new generation, community leaders, government officials, and religious leaders in Pattani province on the expression of identity by Tadika school students; 2) explore Tadika students’ perspectives on their own identity expression; and 3) provide recommendations for identity expression that foster understanding and coexistence in the region. A qualitative research methodology was employed. Environment, context, and activities of the Tadika students were observed. Interviews and in-depth/semi-structured interviews were conducted on key informants. The participants and key informants were selected based on relevant experiences, or direct involvement in pertinent events. The key informants included a total of 20 individuals from four groups (five each): 1) the new generation, 2) community leaders, 3) government officials, and 4) religious leaders. Other 2 Tadika school students were also selected as informants. The study also incorporated a review and synthesis of relevant research literature to analyze and form conclusions, leading to a set of recommendations.
The research findings indicate that the key informants generally view identity expression of Tadika students as both appropriate and positive, with an emphasis on the importance of communicating this identity to the wider public. Key aspects of identity expression identified for Tadika students include the Malay language, traditional Malay attire, and cultural practices passed down through generations, such as customary greeting and adherence to Islamic teachings. Identity expression is influenced by factors such as environment, family, and religious knowledge. These factors serve as both a reflection of pride, and a catalyst for expressing one’s identity. Tadika students feel a sense of pride in their ability to express their identity, which is seen as a valuable contribution to multiculturalism and coexistence in a diverse society. The study recommends that government agencies should foster understanding of the Malay identity and Tadika students’ sense of self-expression, as well as encourage a perspective that recognizes identity expression as cultural norm without security implications. Furthermore, it is suggested that government agencies should support identity-related activities and refrain from obstructing or restricting such expressions.

Weaving Legitimacy, Power-Sharing and Peace Building in Southeast Asia

Srisompob Jitpiromsri — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Peace practices have been affected by geopolitics of Southeast Asia which has two dimensions, security and resources. A sustainable peacebuilding could be attained through the inter-subjectivity process and inclusion. There are two processes of making legitimacy including redistribution and recognition. Redistribution is a process to support peace as well as legitimacy. Recognition of identity is also the support of peace through representation. Both processes involve people’s feeling of justice, making the right to govern acceptable. On the other hand, peace also involves the forms of power-sharing. Therefore, the proposed model of governance includes consociationalism, which has been divided based on different ethnicities and identities. Another form of power-sharing is identified as the centripetalism, in which the form of governance is designed to encourage inter-communal moderation by promoting multi-ethnic political parties, cross- cutting electoral incentives and inter- group accommodation.
Findings from some case studies of Southeast Asia indicate that the Aceh of Indonesia has been evolved to be the centripetalism, while the Mindanao of the Philippines is developed to be similar to the consociationalism mixed with the neopatrimonialism. In Thailand’s Deep South conflict, the Thai state is more oriented to choose the centripetalism as a form of conflict resolution as the elites are still confused with the authoritarian mode of resolution. Peace in Papua, Indonesia, evolves to become ramified and expanded fields with mixed power sharing and continued struggle for justice. The mixed power sharing is between consociationalism and centripetalism.