Promoting peace: Thai youth go the “Ektra” mile for religious harmony

By Peter Monthienvichienchai, LiCAS News

The event, titled “Extra Peace: Project Pitch Competition” and held on November 30, featured ideas from 10 finalists from more than 40 schools, addressing some of the country’s most pressing issues related to understanding and religious coexistence.

The competition was inspired by the success of “Extra Peace”, a team of students from Sarasas Ektra School, who received THB 100,000 in funding during the competition. MISSION POSSIBLE: Social Hackathon for Youth organized in July.

The team used the funding to implement a project to promote dialogue between different religious groups, serving as a model for the competition.

The finalists proposed various strategies to address challenges such as religious discrimination and foster interfaith understanding among young people.

Thai students present innovative results for interfaith harmony at the “Extra Peace: Project Presentation Competition”. Photo by Peter Monthienvichienchai

Ideas ranged from creating immersive educational games and producing films to using rap music and augmented reality maps to highlight paths to interfaith harmony and the causes of religious conflict.

Chulabhat Tantichaiboriboon, head of the Extra Peace team, said Catholic schools “are guided by values ​​of love, compassion and respect,” adding: “Yet our community is beautifully diverse, with students from many religious origins. It shows that despite our differences, we can learn, connect and grow together.

Chulabhat noted that while their school fosters a diverse and inclusive environment, the broader reality outside its walls remains difficult, with ongoing religious conflicts causing divisions.

He pointed out that many people are reluctant to discuss religious differences, hampering efforts to build mutual understanding.

“If all religions teach peace, why can’t all religions achieve peace? This question has become the heart of the Extra Peace project,” he added.

Chulabhat Tantichaiboriboon, leader of the “Extra Peace” student team which organized the event. (Photo by Peter Monthienvichienchai / LiCAS News)

The competition highlighted the essential role of youth in building a more harmonious future. Pisut Yongkamol, principal of Sarasas Ektra School, highlighted the importance of authenticity in addressing social challenges.

“Today, each of you showed us that change starts here and now. Through your presentations and ideas, you have planted seeds of peace and hope that will continue to grow beyond this event,” he said.

Yongkamol urged participants to remember that “authenticity is your most powerful asset,” adding, “Stay true to yourself and let that guide your journey as changemakers.”

Students participate in the “Extra Peace: Project Presentation Competition” (Photo by Peter Monthienvichienchai / LiCAS News)

The event also highlighted the power of dialogue and collaboration. Peter Monthienvichienchai, executive director of LiCAS News, praised the students for their courage in tackling sensitive issues.

“What you (children) did here today exceeded all expectations, including having the courage to address such a difficult and sensitive topic. Today’s event and the solutions that were presented give us all hope and demonstrate the power of the synodal approach through true mutual listening,” he said.

The competition builds on the mission of Sarasas Ektra School, a bilingual Catholic institution known for fostering inclusion and respect in its multicultural community. The school’s ongoing commitment to interfaith understanding reflects its broader vision of unity and peace.

By channeling their creativity and determination, Thai youth are not only tackling complex social issues, but also sowing hope for a more peaceful and inclusive society.

The event included a rap music exhibition (Photo by Peter Monthienvichienchai / LiCAS News)