2009 annual report

Peoples Empowerment Foundation (PEF), 2009 1/546 Nuan Chan Road Klongkum, Bungkum, Bangkok 10230 Thailand Phone/fax: (+66) 2 946 6104 Email: info@peoplesempowerment.org Website: http://www.peoplesempowerment.org

DirectorsMessage

Dearfriendsandpartners, PeoplesEmpowermentFoundation(PEF)isasmallnationalNGOworkingwithgrassrootspeoples organizationsinThailand.Establishedin2006,webeganourprojectsin2007afterinitialsupport fromOpenSocietyInstitute,whowethankfortrustinginourworkandgivingusachancetostart. PEFsphilosophyisrootedinabeliefintheabilityofpeoplespowertochangesociety.Ourmission istostrengthengrassrootsorganizationsinThailandthroughastrategyoffosteringpeopleto people(P2P)connectionsandconductingcloseconsultationswithcommunities.Weplayourrolein actingasthefacilitatorinbringingpeopletogether. InourNirstyear,wefocusedonSouthernThailandissuesbecauseoftheserioushumanrights violationstakingplaceintheborderprovinces.Throughouractivitieswegainedalotoftrustfrom thepeopleandstillkeepgoodrelationshipswithourMalayMuslimbrothersandsisters.Theyare oneofourstrongpartnerorganizationsthathavebeenwithusuntilnow.SouthernThailandisstill oneofourpriorities.Wehavebegunourwomenandyouthincomegeneratingprogramandhopeto organizeanexchangeprogrambetweenSouthernThailandpeopleandAcehnese,MindanaoandSri Lankanpeopletosharethewisdom,understanding,andexperiencesofconNlictmanagementand peacebuilding.Fromourbeliefsandexperiences,theconNlictcantransformintopeacethrough wisdom. Inour2ndand3rdyears,wefocusedonASEANbecauseThailandwasthechairforoneandahalf years.After40years,ASEANhashadtochange,andtherehavebeenmanynewmechanisms established,includingtheASEANCharter,3communityblueprints,theASEANIntergovernmental CommissiononHumanRights,theASEANCommissionforWomenandChildren,andtheASEAN CommitteeonMigrantWorkers.Withthesechanges,wetooktheopportunitytoeducateThai peoplein10subregionsthroughoutThailandaboutASEAN.After2yearsworkingonASEAN,we nowhaveastrongASEANgrassrootsnetworkinThailand.Wenowplantosetupapeoples mechanismatthenationalleveltomonitorASEANsperformance.Thiswillbeourlongtermissue, aspeoplehaverealizedthatregionalandglobalpolicieshaveabigimpactoncommonlivesofthe people.WewillalsoworkinsolidaritywiththeASEANpeopleinothercountries,asASEANbelongs tothe560millionASEANpeople,notonly1011leaders. PeoplesEmpowermentFoundationalsoworksoncrossborderprojectstobuilduptrustandgood relationshipsbetweenThaipeopleandpeopleofneighboringcountries,particularlyBurma, Cambodia,andLaos.InthenextyearwewillbeinvolvedwithaThaiKhmerpeoplesreconciliation projectandRohingyaboatpeopleadvocacycampaign.Wewillcontinuetosupportrefugeesand migrantworkersandwillsupportapeopleexchangeprogrambetweenThailandandLaosinthe future. OurnewestprogramfocusesonThaiDemocracy.ConfusionsaboutdemocracyinThailandmadeus initiateaprojecttopromotediscussionsanddeeperunderstandingsoftheconceptofdemocracy andsuchconceptsasruleoflaw;rights,freedomsandequality;goodgovernance;andpeoples participation.Ahandbookofpeoplesdemocracywillbepublishedanddistributedtopeopleinthe secondyearandwillbringthepeoplesconceptsintotheseriousdiscussionontheground. Besidesworkingwiththepeople,weengagewithgovernmenttobringthevoiceanddemandsofthe grassrootspeopletobeheardatdecisionmakinglevels.Wemonitorandcritiquegovernment implementationwithapositiveapproachandgethighrecognitionfromthegovernment.

Nextyear,wewillcontinuetoworkonthesame4programareas,improvingstrategic implementationandincreasingoutreachtoensuretheconNidenceofthepartners.Weplanto transitionpartnerstobeingmoreindependentinthoughtandimplementationforastrongpeoples movement. PeoplesEmpowermentFoundationwouldliketothankallpartnersanddonorswhobelieveinand supportourwork. Withsincerity,solidarity,andfulltrustinpeoplespower,

ChalidaTajaroensuk Director,PeoplesEmpowermentFoundation December2009

ORGANIZATION PROFILE
WhoWeAre PeoplesEmpowermentFoundation(PEF)isaregistered independentnongovernmentalorganizationthatwas establishedin2006toaddresstheneedsofgrassroots civilsocietynetworksinThailand.PEFactsasthe secretariatforacoalitionofcommunitybased organizations(CBOs)andmaintainscloseworking relationshipswithotherpartnerorganizationsand networkswithinthecountryandthroughoutSoutheast Asia. Ourmissionistocreatesustainablemechanismsfor individualactors,communityorganizations,grassroots coalitionsandcivilsocietymovementstoworktogether forpeace,socialjustice,humanrights,anddemocracy. Ourobjectivesare: Toincreasetheorganizationalcapacityofcivil societynetworksandCBOsinThailand; Tofacilitatedirectpeopletopeopleengagement betweenvariouscommunitynetworksand organizationstoenhancemutualunderstanding andencouragecooperativesocialaction.

WhatWeBelieve PEFbelievesinpeace,socialandenvironmentaljustice, humanrights,humansecurity,anddemocracyforall, regardlessofrace,ethnicity,nationalorigin,gender,or religion,andwebelievethatthesegoalscannotbe achievedwithoutsustainedcivicengagementatthe grassrootscommunitylevel. Webelievethatcooperation,knowledgesharing,and mutualsupportamongcommunitybasedorganizations andgrassrootsnetworksareessentialforsustaininga strongandvibrantcivilsocietycapableofadvancingthe needsandconcernsofthemostmarginalizedpeoplein thecountryandregion. WhatWeDo Ourorganizationworkstopromoteawiderangeof humanrightsandhumansecurityissuesthroughout ThailandandSoutheastAsiabyservingasanetwork throughwhichpartnerorganizationscanshare knowledge,strategies,andresourcestoworktogetherfor 3

positivesocialchange. Inadditiontoproviding horizontallinksbetween differentgrassroots partners,wemaintain workingrelationshipswith regionalandinternational organizationsandprovide verticalchannelsforcivil societytoengagewith publicofNicialsatthe national,regional,and internationallevels. HowWeWork

Internship Program
In 2009, PEF hosted three interns, who contributed to a variety of projects while learning several aspects of our organizations work. Two summer interns, one from Thammasat Universitys summer internship program and an independent intern from Chulalongkorn University, were able to supplement their formal education in Political Science with practical experience in the non-profit sector. Our current intern comes from Gwanju, South Korea as a volunteer with the May18 Memorial Foundation internship program. In addition to helping us with project tasks, he has played a key role in strengthening our relationship with his home country foundation. All interns have contributed to the everyday work and overall development of our young organization, and in the future, we plan to provide more internship opportunities to Thai students as well as international volunteers in hopes of inspiring more young people to pursue careers in advancing human rights, human security, peace, and democracy.

Weworktoincreasethe internalorganizational capacityofcivilsociety networksandcommunitybasedorganizationsinThailandbyprovidingthemwith information,skillstraining,capacitybuildingtools,logisticalcoordination,andother assistanceadaptedtoeachgroupsparticularneeds.Tobestprovidesuchservices,wecarry outNieldvisitstopartnercommunitiesonaregularbasis,studyingconditionsontheground andlearningaboutpeoplesmostpressingneeds.Allprojectsaredevelopedoutofthese needsandthroughclosecollaborationwithlocalcommunities. Wefacilitatedirectengagementbetweenvariouscommunitynetworksandorganizationsby applyingourPeopletoPeople(P2P)actionapproach,inwhichgrassrootspartnersare providedwiththeopportunitytoshareknowledge,developcommonagendas,andstrategize onsocialaction.Examplesincludecommunitylearningexchangeprograms,solidarity workshops,crossbordercivilsocietyexchanges,andpeoplesmonitoringofASEAN developments.

Organizational Structure
Board: Staff Chalida Tajaroensuk, Director Kriangsak Teerakowitkajorn, Program Manager Pei Palmgren, International Development Officer Kulnipa Panton, Program Officer Ontira Amatavivat, ASEAN Program Officer Patcharee Sae-eaw, Democracy Program Officer Uracha Chatikanon, Finance Officer Mr. Suraporn Chaicharn of the Northeastern Community Network, President Mrs. Pratueng Chuaykliang of the Training and Development Center for Women, First Vice President Mr. Siripong Taleb of the Southern Thailand Network, Second Vice President Mr. Tongbai Singseeta of the Organic Farm Network of Central Thailand, Committee Member Mr. Prasarn Praditsopon of the Community Radio Network, Committee Member Mrs. Chalida Tajaroensuk, Secretary Ms. Uracha Chatikanon, Treasurer

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

1. ASEAN CIVIL SOCIETY
With its new charter, three regional community blueprints, and newly established monitoring mechanisms, including the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has purported to be a people-centered institution dedicated to a peaceful, democratic, prosperous and caring and sharing region. Recognizing new opportunities for expanded people participation in ASEAN affairs, PEF has been involved in ongoing efforts to strengthen Thai civil societys engagement with ASEAN, with particular focus on grassroots communities. In 2009, we implemented several activities to strengthen such engagement, building on the progress made through our ASEAN national process held in several sub-regions of Thailand the previous year.
KarencommunityforumonASEAN January29,2009 SuanPuengcommunity,Ratchaburi Followingour2008ThainationalprocessonASEAN,theSuanPuengKarencommunity requestedourassistanceineducatingcommunitymembersabouttheASEANframework. Duringthemeeting,severalparticipantsdiscussedproblemsandconcernsexistingintheir community,includingadearthofemploymentopportunitiesandthevariousinsecurities experiencedbythosewithoutnationalidentiNicationcards,whilePEFstafflinkedthe discussionoflocalissuestoASEANstructuresandprocesses.LocalmilitaryofNicersworking inthecommunityalsoparticipatedintheforum,contributingtoarespectfuldialogue betweenthegroupsastheyexchangedperspectivesonlocalproblems.Subsequently,Karen communityleadersparticipatedintheASEANPeoplesForums/ASEANCivilSociety ConferencesthattookplaceinBangkok(February)andChaam(October).Oneleaderwas alsoaparticipantinourThaiIndonesiancivilsocietyexchange(describedbelow).

ASEANPeoplesForum/ASEANCivilSocietyConference4 February2022 ChulalongkornUniversity,Bangkok PEF,alongwithacommitteeofcivilsocietyorganizationsfromThailandandthroughout SoutheastAsia,helpedtoorganizetheASEANPeoplesForumandASEANCivilSociety Conference4(APF/ACSC4),whichwasheldfrom2022February2009atChulalongkorn UniversityinBangkokasaparallelgatheringtothe14thASEANSummit.Morethana thousandpeoplefromallASEANcountriesexceptforBruneiparticipatedintheAPF/ACSC4, including135peoplefromPEFsgrassrootsnetwork. TheAPF,heldontheNirsttwodays,wasanopenforumconsistingofplenarysessionsand approximately30smallworkshopsfocusingonparticularissuesrelatedtopeaceandhuman security,andsocioculturalandsocioeconomicdimensionsofregionalism.Acivilsociety dialoguewithMr.SurinPitsuwan,SecretaryGeneralofASEANandMr.KasitPiromya,Foreign 6

AffairsMinisterofThailand,highlightedtheACSC4,whichwasheldonthelastdayofthe gathering. Inadditiontobringingseveralofournetworkpartnerstoparticipateintheevent,PEFserved asakeyorganizeroftheACSC4dialoguebetweencivilsocietyandASEANofNicials,aswellas ofthehalfhourcivilsocietyinterfacewithASEANleadersduringthe14thASEANSummit. Theinterface,supportedbytheThaiMinistryofForeignAffairsandtheASEANSecretariat, servedasthestartofamechanismforpeopletoengagewithASEANleadersduring,and hopefullyafter,ThailandstenureastheASEANChair.Importantly,theAPF/ACSC4and interfacewerepositivestepstowardmoreclearandconcretepeoplesparticipationwithinthe ASEANframework,whichPEFandothercivilsocietygroupsplantomaximizeandenhancein thefuture.

ThailandfocalpointforthecampaignfortheestablishmentofanASEANhumanrights body SinceAugustof2007,PEFhasservedasthefocalpointinThailandfortheSolidarityforAsian PeoplesAdvocacyTaskForceonASEANandHumanRights(SAPATFAHR).Withthebroad purposeofencouragingASEANaccountabilitytointernationalanddomestichumanrights obligations,theTFAHRhasbeeninvolvedinanongoing campaignforaneffectiveandaccountablehumanrights mechanisminSoutheastAsia. In2009,PEFworkedtopromotetheregionalcampaignfor anASEANhumanrightscommissionwithteeth,i.e., composedofindependentexpertsandincludinga protectionmandate.InadditiontocollectingThai signaturesforForumAsiaspetitioncampaign,weheld meetingstoeducateThaipeopleabouttheimportanceofa regionalhumanrightsmechanismandcollectcivilsociety recommendationsforthebody.Thesesuggestionswere integratedwithcivilsocietyrecommendationsfrom8other countriesandincludedinacivilsocietystatementregarding initialdraftsofthetermsofreference(ToR)fortheASEAN humanrightsmechanism,whatisnowreferredtoasthe ASEANIntergovernmentalCommissiononHumanRights (AICHR). Paralleltoournationalefforts,PEFcontributedtoregionalleveladvocacy,including informationexchangesandmonitoringofthedraftingprocesswithothermembersoftheTF 7

AHR,participationinthreedialogueswiththeHighLevelPanel(thebodyresponsiblefor draftingtheToR),andurgingtransparencyintheselectionprocessforcountry representativesoftheAICHR. WhilePEFandotherSoutheastAsiancivilsocietygroupsaredisappointedwiththeabsenceof aprotectionmandatefortheAICHR,weareencouragedthatahumanrightsbodyfor SoutheastAsiawasestablishedon23October2009,andwewillcontinuetoworkforits improvement.Weareparticularlypleasedthattheselectioncommitteehaschosenacivil societyrepresentativeastheIndonesianrepresentativeoftheAICHR,Mr.RafendiDjamin, convenoroftheSAPATFAHR,andwealsowelcometheselectioncommitteeschoiceofan independentexpertasThailandsrepresentative,Dr.SripraphaPetchmesri.Furthermore,we areencouragedthatapoliticaldeclarationhasbeenattachedtotheAICHRsToR,stating intenttoconsidertheinclusionofaprotectionmandatewithinthenext5years.Moving forward,PEFwillcontinueworkinginThailandtocomplementregionaleffortsinmonitoring theimplementationoftheAICHR.

ThaiIndonesiacivilsocietyexchangeprogram July1116 Jakarta,Indonesia InJuly,PEForganizedaThaiIndonesiancivilsocietyexchangetrip,duringwhich25people fromourgrassrootsnetwork,alongwithmembersoftheThaimedia,metwithcommunity activists,civilsocietygroups,IndonesiangovernmentofNicialsandtheASEANSecretary GeneralinJakarta.Thetripwasorganizedtoprovideanopportunityforparticipantstolearn aboutsocialissuesinanotherSoutheastAsiancountry,toestablishlinksbetweenThaiand Indonesiancivilsocietygroups,andtofosterabetterunderstandingoftheworkoftheASEAN Secretariat. Participants,representingfarmer,ethnicminority,LBGT,labor,student,personswith disabilities,andothercommunitygroups,tookpartinconstructiveexchangeswithcivil societyorganizationsandcommunitiesworkingonhumanrights,environmentaljustice, peasants,womensrightsandotherissuesinandaroundJakarta.Inaddition,theThaigroup participatedininformaldialogueswithIndonesiangovernmentofNicials,membersofthe IndonesianNationalCommissiononHumanRights,andASEANSecretaryGeneral,Surin Pitsuwan. 8

Byprovidingparticipantswiththeopportunitytolearnaboutproblemsandgoalsoftheir Indonesiancounterparts,thetripcontributedtotheongoinglearningprocessofnetwork partnerswhohavebeeninvolvedinourASEANcivilsocietyprogram.Aswecontinueour ASEANcivilsocietyactivities,wewillorganizeexchangestoothercountriestofoster solidarityamonggrassrootsgroupsinSoutheastAsiaandtoenhancepartnersunderstanding ofASEANanditsmembercountries. ThainationalconsultationsontheASEANSocioCulturalandPoliticalSecurityPillars September18,2930 DisabledPeoplesInternational(DPI)andStudentChristianCenter,Bangkok Inpreparationforthe2ndASEANPeoplesForum/5thASEANCivilSocietyConference(APF2/ ACSC5),severalorganizationsinThailandparticipatedinnationalconsultationsontheASEAN SocioCulturalandPoliticalSecuritypillars.PEFparticipatedinbothforumsandhelpedto developcontentfortheconsultationonthesocioculturalpillar. ParticipantsforbothmeetingsincludedpeoplefromThaiorganizationsworkingonvarious social,economic,andpoliticalissues,includingNGOCoordinatingCommitteeonDevelopment (NGOCOD),ThaiVolunteerService(TVS)theASEANYouthForum,InternationalNetworkof EngagedBuddhists(INEB)andothers,withatotalof50participantsatthesociocultural consultationand20atthepoliticalsecurity.Speakerspresentedbackgroundinformationand updatesaboutASEAN,andattendeessharedconcernsrelatedtothemesfromeachpillar. Discussiontopicsincludedbarrierstoeducation,diminishinglandrightsforfarmers,growing unemployment,problemsfacedbymigrantworkersandrefugees,andviolationsofhuman rightsresultingfrompoliticalunrestinseveralcountries. DiscussionsalsocoveredpossibilitiesformembersofThaicivilsocietytoutilizetheASEAN frameworktoadvancevarioussocioculturalandpoliticalagendasinthefuture.Fromthese meetings,positionsandrecommendationstopresenttotheThaigovernmentandduringthe socioculturalandpoliticalsecuritypillardialoguesthatwereplannedfortheAPF2/ACSC5 wereagreedupon.

SmallforumsonASEAN InOctober,PEForganizedahandfulofsmallforumstoprovideessentialbackgroundand updatesonASEANtogroupswhowouldbeattendingthe2ndASEANPeoplesForum/5th ASEANCivilSocietyConference.TheseincludedforumsforRohingyaandKhmerKrom refugees,communityradiopractitioners,andmigrantworkers. Refugeeforum October2 PEFofNice,Bangkok ItisclearthatproblemsfacedbyrefugeeslivinginThailand,andpossiblewaystoaddress theseproblems,mustbeconsideredinregionalaswellasnationalcontexts.OurNirstsmall foruminvolvedsuchdiscussionswithagroupofRohingyaandKhmerKromrefugeeslivingin Thailand.InadditiontoeducatingparticipantsaboutASEAN,PEFfacilitateddiscussions 9

abouttherefugeesmostpressingproblemsinThailand,namelyexploitationbygovernment agents,fearsofdeportation,andconstanteconomicinsecurity.Participantsthenformulated solutionstoproposetotheThaiandBurmesegovernmentsaswellastoASEAN.Suggestions includelegalregistrationandexpandedrightsinThailand,Burmesegovernmentrecognition ofnationalityfortheRohingya,andforASEANtoplayamoreactiveroleinpromoting democracyinBurmaandprotectingtherightsofrefugeesinallASEANcountries. Thosepresentdemonstratedtheirabilitytoseelinksbetweentheirimmediateissuesand regionalprocesses,knowledgethattheywillbeabletopassontoothersintheircommunity. Inaddition,clearpositionstoasserttoASEANgovernmentofNicialsduringtheAPF2/ACSC5 wereagreedupon.Inthenextyear,PEFwillcontinuetoengagemoremembersofThailand refugeecommunitiesinASEANissues. ASEANsOurHomeCommunityRadioProgramForum October4 PEFOfNice,Bangkok AsthecurrentChairof Community radio coverage of the 15th ASEAN summit ASEAN,theThaigovernment hasincreasedeffortsto To complement the ASEANs Our Home radio program, members of educateitscitizensabout the community radio network decided to broadcast live reports from the ASEANandrecent commitmentsoutlinedinthe 15th ASEAN Summit from October 23-25 in Hua Hin, Thailand. With help newASEANcharterand from PEF, the group was granted access by the ASEAN Association of communityblueprints. Thailand to cover several sessions of the summit, including the opening However,thisinformation hasfailedtoreachrural ceremony, endorsements of various documents, and the controversial grassrootscommunities,who interface meeting between ASEAN leaders and civil society havelimitedknowledge aboutASEANandare representatives (5 civil society representatives were rejected by ASEAN continuallyleftoutofcivic governments and 3 withdrew their participation in solidarity). Audio discussiononregional clips were broadcast to 300 community radio stations throughout matters.Toaddressthis problem,PEFmetwith18 Thailand, and clips and pictures were posted to 3 websites representativesof www.aorsocho.org, www.tnewsnetwork.com and www.ldinet.org. communityradiostations from17provincesof Thailandtohelpdevelop contentandformatforeducationalprogrammingonASEAN. InadditiontoprovidingparticipantswithessentialbackgroundandupdatesaboutASEAN,we workedwiththemtodeterminewhattypeofinformationtoincludeintheASEANsOur Homeradioprogram.Itwasdecidedthatcontentwouldincludediscussionsoncultural heritage,accountsofcivilsocietymovementsandprojects,andattentiontoissuesspeciNicto localaudiences,suchasRohingyamigrants,thePhreahVihearTempleconNlict,andnatural disasters. Participantsoftheforumagreedtodevelopacommunityradionetworkthatwillcooperateon futureASEANrelatedprogramming,andPEFwillcontinuallyprovidethisnetworkwith updatedinformationaboutASEAN.

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MigrantWorkerssmallforum October9 SamsongCenter,PhangNga FiftymigrantworkersfromBurma,nowlivinginPhangNga,participatedinthesmallforum onASEAN,organizedbyPEFwithhelpfromtheFoundationforEducationandDevelopment (FED)andMr.BunditPanwiset,HeadoftheForeignLaborAdvocateNetwork.Theforumwas heldtoeducateparticipantsaboutASEAN,discussproblemsfacedbytheworkers,andcome upwithrecommendationsforASEANtoaddress theirconcerns. Discussionsfocusedonmigrantworkerissuesin Thailand,includingpoorworkingconditions, exploitationbygovernmentagentsandemployers, difNicultieswithprovingnationality,andoverall poorqualityofliferesultingfromawidespread lackofbasicrights.Participantscomposeda concretesetofrecommendationsfortheThai governmentandASEANtoaddresssuchproblems, forexample,thepromotionandprotectionof rightsfordocumentedandundocumented migrantworkers,theestablishmentofan educationand/orcomplaintcenterformigrant workers,andsupportfromorigincountriesand theThaigovernmentforprocessesofproving nationality.Furthermore,itwasurgedthatASEAN playaseriousroleinadvancinghumanrightsand democracyinBurma.

2ndASEANPeoplesForum/5thASEANCivilSocietyConference October1820 RegentBeachChaamResort,Chaam,Thailand The2ndASEANPeoplesForum/5thASEANCivilSocietyConference(APF2/ACSC5), AdvancingaPeoplesASEAN:ContinuingDialogue,washeldasaparallelgatheringtothe 15thASEANSummit,convenedinHuaHinandChaamthesameweek.Theeventwasmeant tobuildonthedialoguesthattookplacebetweencivilsocietyandASEANofNicialsatthe ACSC4inFebruarybyincludingfourdialoguesessionsorganizedaroundsocioeconomic, sociocultural,politicalandsecurity,andenvironmentalissues.AspartofthejointThai RegionalWorkingGroupontheAPF,PEFparticipatedintheplanningandassessmentofthe APF2/ACSC5,providingkeycontributionstothepreparationandevaluationofthesocio culturalpillardialogue. Atotalof590people(275Thaiand315foreign/regional)attendedthegathering,aturnout thatwellexceededthetargetoftheThaiRegionalWorkingGroup.Whileafulldayofdialogue sessionsbetweencivilsocietyrepresentativesandofNicialsfromseveralASEANcountry communitycouncilswasplanned,nearlyallinviteesonthegovernmentsidefailedtoshowup. Thisprovedtobeverydisappointingfortheorganizersandattendees,astherewerehigh hopesforbuildingontheprogressoftheFebruarydialoguebyengaginginmoreconstructive 11

discussionswithseveralASEANofNicials.Nevertheless,civilsocietyrepresentativesturned thecollapseddialoguesintocriticaldiscussionsamongactivistsaboutavarietyofissues facingpeopleoftheregion,includingclimatejustice,environmentalimpactsoflarge developmentprojects,democracyandhumanrightsinBurma,freetrade,issuesof nationalism,laborprotectionforwomen,andmore.

NetworkparticipationattheAPF2/ACSC5preparationandevaluationmeetings October17,21 RegentRamkhamhaeng,Bangkok AswiththeAPF/ACSC4inFebruary,PEFwascommittedtomaximizinggrassrootspeoples participationattheAPF2/ACSC5inChaam,aconcernofparticularimportancegiventhe venueofthisforum,whichwaslessaccessibleandsmallerthanthemorepublicmeetingin Bangkok.Inadditiontoarrangingtransportationfor40peoplefromourgrassrootsnetwork, PEFheldafulldaypreparationmeetingbeforetheAPF2/ACSC5andanevaluationmeeting thedayafter. Inpreparation,PEFbriefedthenetworkpartnersonthe APF/ACSCobjectives,currentASEANaffairs,andthe civilsocietystatementfromtheFebruarygathering. Issuesandconcernsthatparticipantswouldadvance throughouttheforuminChaamwerealsodiscussed andagreeduponbynetworkpartners,includingissues relatedtohistoryofconNlict,ASEANidentity,migrant workers,refugees,andpersonswithdisabilities.After theAPF2/ACSC5,networkpartnersmettoevaluatethe eventandidentifyfutureactivitiesrelatedtoASEAN. Partnersagreedtofocusactivitiesonmonitoringthe workoftheAICHRaswellascommunitylevelimpactsofthesocioculturalandpolitical securityblueprintimplementation. Thepreparationandevaluationmeetingshelpedtoenhancepeoplesunderstandingabout ASEANandthesigniNicanceoftheparallelAPF/ACSCprocess.Themeetingsalsoallowedfor PEFandnetworkpartnerstodetermineplansformovingforwardwithASEANactivitiesuntil nextyearsASEANSummitinVietnam.Theoutputfromtheevaluationmeetingwillserveas thebasisformuchofourASEANcivilsocietyworkin2010,andnetworkpartnerswillplay signiNicantrolesindevelopingagrassrootscivilsocietymechanismformonitoringASEAN work.Paralleltoournationalactivities,PEFwillsupportcommunitydesignedactivitieson theground,withhopestostrengthenournetworkandexpandpeoplesparticipationinthe ASEANprocess.

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2. SOUTHERN THAILAND
Immediately upon the establishment of PEF, we began conducting community visits and fact-finding campaigns in the three border provinces of Southern Thailand, building trust with grassroots partners that we continue to work with today. Informed by continual analysis with friends in the Deep South, we decided to set our current priorities on improving economic security of families affected by conflict and on facilitating knowledge exchanges for community-based peace initiatives. While somewhat limited in our southern Thailand activities due to difficulties in obtaining project funding, in 2009 PEF began capacity development with womens occupational collectives and participated in meetings with the Thai government and other NGOS to present our ideas for addressing the conflict.

Localresourceandproductiontraining April2026 KhaokhoTalaypuNaturalFarm,Petchaboonprovince Withproblemsofeconomicinsecurityaffectingseveralnetworkpartners,PEFhasmade effortstoincreasepeoplesknowledgeofwaystogeneratelocalincome.InAprilweorganized atriptotheKhaokhoTalaypuNaturalFarm,duringwhich16participants,including9women fromsouthernThailand,learnedmethodsforusinglocalresourcestomakeproductstosellin theircommunities. Duringthetraining,participantslearnedhowtoidentifyandextractrawmaterialswithout damagingthelocalenvironment,howtoproducegoodsusinglowcapital,techniquesfor improvingproductstoNitdemandsofeachcommunity,packagingdesign,andwaystomarket Ninishedproducts.Severaltraineesexpressedenthusiasmtoapplytheknowledgegainedfrom theprogram,withsomeidentifyingcoconutoilandherbalproductsasgoodsthatcanbe producedintheircommunities.ParticipantsfromsouthernThailandwillbeginsuchwork withtheircareergroupsinourincomegenerationprogramin2010.

MinistryofForeignAffairsconsultationwithNGOsonsouthernThailand September10 SiamCityHotel,Bangkok WithstatedintenttoNindsolutionstotheconNlictinsouthernThailand,theMinistryof ForeignAffairsinvitedseveralNGOsactiveinthethreeprovincesofYala,Narathiwatand Pattani,alongwithBangkokbasedNGOs,tomaptheiractivitiesandshareideasand perspectivesforunderstandingandremedyingthedeeprootedviolenceinsouthernThailand. PEFDirector,ChalidaTajaroensuk,sharedPEFsprioritiesinsouthernThailand,namely buildingtrustthroughvictimsupport,promotingwomenandyouthincomegeneration projects,andfacilitatingregionalknowledgeexchangesforcommunitylevelpeacebuilding. Inaddition,KhunChalidachallengedthegovernmenttoreevaluatetheirthinkingonsouthern Thailandandofferedthefollowingpointsandsuggestions: Ordinarypeopleinvolvedintheinsurgencyshouldberegardednotasterroristsbutas anoppressedminoritywhoarestrugglingtoprotecttheirrights. Someformofspecialautonomyshouldbeestablishedinthesouthernmostprovinces. SustainedpeacetalksbetweeninsurgentgroupsandtheThaigovernmentshould begin.

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SouthernThailandNGOandcommunityleadermeeting September30 ParadiseHotel,Hatyai OrganizedbyKingPrajadhipoksInstitute(KPI)andfacilitatedbyDr.MarkThamtai,ameeting washeldfornearly500NGOworkersandsouthernThailandcommunityleaderstoshare workexperiences,mapactivitylocations,anddiscusswaystoimprovecoordinationand mutualsupportamongpeaceactorsintheDeepSouth.Asaparticipantorganization,PEF sharedourprioritiesinsupportinglocallevelincomegenerationforwomenandyouthand facilitatingregionalknowledgeexchangesforcommunitylevelpeacebuildingstrategies. Fromthemeeting,PEFlearnedoftheencouragingbreadthandvarietyofactivitiestaking placeinsouthernThailand,butmisunderstandingsbetweenNGOsandcommunityleaders aboutappropriaterolesandcontributionsofeachwereevident.Itisclearthatthereismuch worktobedonetomaximizecooperationbetweenvariedactorsintheconNlictareas.

JI return home
This July, after spending 6 years in Cambodian prison and three years standing trial in Cambodias Court for alleged plots to bomb United States and United Kingdom embassies in Phnom Penh, Mr. Jehming and Mr. Mading, two men affiliated with Jemaah Islamiya (JI), were released and eventually reunited with their families in Thailands Yala province. With a firm belief in the innocence of the two men, PEF (with Forum-Asia for one year) worked to monitor the trial, provide background documents and trial analysis to authorities, and lobby for their release. As the only Thai organization that closely monitored this case, our trial report was used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Yala governor as the basic document for assessing the case. Such efforts contributed to the prisoner exchange between Thailand and Cambodia, in which the two JI were released along with two Cambodians on death penalty in Thailand. By August 1, 2009, the two men were back home living normal lives as Thai civilians, and the families of the two men remain our close partners in the Deep South. InterreligionPeaceBuildingforLongtermDevelopmentmeeting November1112 AshramWongsanit,Ashram CoorganizedbytheSewalankaFoundationandPeoplesEmpowermentFoundation,the InterreligionPeaceBuildingforLongtermDevelopmentmeetingbroughttogether religiousleaders,academicsandothercivilsocietyactorsfromsouthernThailand,Burma, AcehandSriLankatoshareexperiencesofmanagingconNlictinrespectivelocations,withan emphasisonreligiouspracticeandpeacebuilding.Thepanels,moderatedbyChalida Tajaroensuk,coveredsuchtopicsastheroleofcivilsocietyinpeacebuilding,comparisons betweenconNlictsinsouthernThailandandAceh,experiencesofconNlictintheShanethnic 14

stateofBurma,SriLankaexperiencesinconNlictmanagementandpeacebuilding,andthe conceptofDawaTalipasappliedinsouthernThailand.SpeakersincludedSulakSivaruksa;Dr. CharintiranaTalangofThammasatUniversity;theBurmesemonk,theVenerableAshinAsopa; formerDeputyMilitary4thCommanderGeneralSomretSrirai;DamisDawaAbdulLaoman JetheofsouthernThailand;andShanactivist,Ms.ChamLang. Approximately50peopleattendedthemeetingandlistenedtoseveralthoughtprovoking discussionsabouttheconNlictsituationsandreligionbasedpeacebuildingprocessesinfour countries.Inaddition,muchofthemeetingcontentwaspreparedtoshareduringthelarger InternationalNetworkofEngagedBuddhists(INEB)meetingthatwasheldinChiangMaithe sameweek.

Womenandyouthcareergroupdevelopment Tobuildontheprogresswehavemadeinorganizingwomensoccupationalcollectivesinthe DeepSouth,wehavebeguninitialstagesinstrengtheningtheirincomegeneratingcapacity throughcomprehensiveskillstraining,learningexchangetripstoselfsufNicientproducer communitiesinnorthernThailand,andassistanceinproductionstartupandmarketing. RecognizingthelimitedemploymentopportunitiesforyoungpeopleinsouthernThailand,we willalsoincludeyouthfromtheareainourgrowingincomegenerationprogram.With fundingfromtheUnitedStatesEmbassyinThailand,wearenowplanningmoreexchange trips,trainingworkshops,andstartupcapitalsupport.Fundingpermitting,ourprojectwill expandtoincludeadditionaltrainingworkshopsandexchanges,aswellasmarketing assistanceandNinancialmanagementtraining.

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3. DEMOCRACY
Amid the unstable and seemingly regressing political situation in Thailand, PEF has begun to develop a program area focusing on the promotion of democracy in the country. With particular concern about the monopolization of political dialogue by extreme oppositional views, we are now in the initial stages of a project that aims to foster open spaces for critical analysis and meaningful discussion about democratization in Thailand. Targeted primarily at the urban middle-class through online platforms in the first year, the program will subsequently expand to the grassroots community level in the form of face-to-face discussion forums focused on peoples conceptions and experiences of ongoing political issues and events.

OpenForumsforDialoguesonThaiDemocracy OnlineForums AsourNirstattemptatengagingpeoplethroughnewmediaplatforms,in2009welaunchedan onlinediscussionforum(http://www.openthaidemocracy.com)thatwillfeaturecontributions fromThaiacademicsandpublicintellectualsaboutfundamentalconceptsofdemocracy.The forum,aswellasaccompanyingseminarsatuniversitycampuses,isintendedasaspacefor theThaipublictoengageinopenandconstructivedialoguesaboutdemocracyissues. Tocomplementarticlediscussions,wehaveconductedseveralvideointerviewswithpeoplein publicplacesinBangkokabouttheirideasonThaidemocracy,tobeincludedonthewebsite. Videointerviewswithastudentleaderandlaborleaderwerealsoconductedandincludedon thesite.ThepreliminarywebsitewasputupinlateJuly,andthefullversionwaslaunchedin September.Guideddiscussionsonparticulartopics,includingruleoflaw;rights,freedoms andequality;goodgovernance;andpeoplesparticipation,beganinlate2009andwill continuethroughout2010. Seminars OurNirstseminar,AlternativeMediaandOpeningup DemocraticSpace,washeldonOctober29attheFacultyof PoliticalScience,ChulalongkornUniverity,Bangkoktopromote thelaunchofPEFsOpenThaiDemocracywebsite.The seminar,moderatedbynationalmediapersonality,Jomkwan Lohpetch,includedapanelofjournalistsandacademicsthat includedDr.JonUngpakorn,DirectorofiLaw;Mr.Chuwat Rerksirisuk,EditorofPrachatai;Mr.JomPetchpradab, journalist;Mr.PichedYingkiadtikoon,representativefromThai Netizen;andDr.PitchWongsawat,lecturerattheFacultyof PoliticalScience,ChulalongkornUniversity. Discussionsfocusedontheroleofindependentandalternative mediaonopeningdemocraticspaceinThailand,andthe agendaforPEFsOpenForumsforDialoguesonThai Democracyprojectweresharedwiththe48peoplein attendance.Inaddition,3independentmediaorganizations broadcasttheeventliveontheirwebsites.Theseminarwas wellreceivedbythoseinattendanceandwassuccessfulin drawingpublicattentiontotheproject. Thesecondseminar,ThaiStyleRuleofLaw:Whensecurity andfreedomsareviolated,washeldonDecember17atthe 16

FacultyofLaw,ThammasatUniversity,andwascoorganizedwithiLaw.FocusingontheNirst subjectinourdemocracydialogues,theruleoflawseminarcoveredtopicsofparticular relevancetothecurrentpoliticalatmosphereinThailand,includingpublicinsecurityandfear, deNinitionsofsecurityasappliedthroughthe InternalSecurityAct,andcomputercrimelaws andprotectionoffreedomincyberspace. PanelistsincludedKasemPenpinun,Ph.D,of thedepartmentofPhilosophyatChulalongkorn University;AssistantProfessorSomchai Preechasinlapakul,formerDeanoftheFaculty ofLaw,ChiangmaiUniversity;andSawatree Suksri,FacultyofLaw,ThammasatUniversity. Thepanelwasfollowedbyaroundtable discussiononruleoflawinThailand, moderatedbySawatreeSuksriandincluding JiranuchPremchaiporn,DirectorofPrachatai, PuttaneeKarngkunoftheWorkingGroupfor JusticeforPeace,WatchareePaoleungtongof theAlternativeEnergyStudiesGroup,and AdisonKertmonkol,specialistinmigrant workerrights. Attendedbyapproximately60peopleand broadcastliveviaorganizationwebsites,the seminarfeaturedcriticaldiscussionaboutthe Thaigovernmentssuppressionofinformation Nlowandthreatstofreeaccessofinformation. Thelooseapplicationofvaguelawsandemergencydecreeswasalsodiscussedasserious challengestocitizensrightsamidattemptsbythegovernmenttoprotectitselffrom oppositionalviews.Inadditiontoindependentmediacoverage,thehalfdaymeetingwas givenmainstreamnationalcoverageintheThainewspaper,TheNation.

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4. CROSS-BORDER
With Thailand serving as a main receiving country for migrants in Southeast Asia who face threats to human rights and human security in their home countries, PEF has implemented projects to address problems of such groups living in Thailand and to cultivate positive relationships between migrant and local Thai communities. In addition to a focus on migrant issues, this program area has included cross-border peace initiatives, including the Thai-Cambodia civil society dialogue on the Preah Vihear Temple in 2008. In 2009, we maintained a focus on Burmese cross-border issues, including those of Rohingya refugees, and began providing humanitarian assistance for Khmer Krom refugees.

HumanitarianassistanceandadvocacyforRohingyadetainees PeoplesEmpowermenthasbeenworkingthroughcloseconsultationwithMuslimand RohingyacommunitiesinRanongandpartnersinBangkok,includingtheBurmeseRohingya AssociationofThailand,theCouncilofMuslimOrganizationsofThailand,andtheRohingya HumanRightsAssociation,toaddresstheimmediateneedsofRohingyadetaineesinThailand. RanongIDCfactHindingvisit,August16 SinceJanuary30,2009,NiftyNiveRohingyaboatpeoplehadbeendetainedintheImmigration DetentionCenterinRanong.Uponhearingnewsofdeplorablelivingconditionsinthe facilities,resultingintwodeaths,PEForganizedavisittoassessthesituation,tooffermoral supporttothedetainees,andtoputforthsuggestionstoauthoritiesabouthowtoremedythe immediateproblems.MembersofthevisitinggroupincludedMr.VirajRomyen,Parliament RepresentativeofRanong,threerepresentativesformtheYannadullahimMosque,Mr.Sucheeb PattongoftheCommunitybasedCouncilofRanong,PoliceSergeantMajorSuvit Chanpolngam,PEFdirector,ChalidaTajaroensukand3PEFstaff,and2translators. Duringthevisit,wefoundthatthedetainmentareasinadequateventilationsystemhad causedwidespreadrespiratoryproblemsforthedetainees,andtransmissionofillnesswas frequent.Atthetime,thecauseofthelatestdeathwasunidentiNied.Furthermore,manyof thedetaineesweresufferingfrommuscleatrophyintheirlegsasaresultofsleepingonthe cementground,withsixteenexperiencingextremedifNicultywalking.Itwasclearthatlackof outdoorexercisehaddegeneratedthephysicalconditionofnearlyallofthedetainees.In additiontophysicalproblems,itwasfoundthattheRohingyahadbeenstrugglingwithsevere emotionalstressduetotheuncertaintyoftheirfutureandthefearofbeingdeportedbackto Burma.

Giventhissituation,PEFissuedareporttotheImmigrationBureausuggestingthatthe detaineesbemovedtoalargertemporaryholdingplace,thatphysicianscheckthehealthof theRohingyaonaregularbasis,thattheRohingyabegivensupportduringthefastingperiod ofRamadan,andthatthelocalmosquebeallowedtovisitthedetaineesforspiritualsupport. ThereportalsourgedThaipolicymakerstoformclearandfairnationalpoliciesregardingthe refugees.OnAugust19,thedetaineesweremovedtotheImmigrationDetentionCenterin Bangkok. SupportforreligiouspracticesRamadanandEidalAdha DifNicultiesincarryingoutimportantreligiousritualshaveaddedtotheworriesofRohingya detainees,mostofwhicharedevoutMuslims.Afterthetransferofthe55Rohingyafromthe ImmigrationDetentionCenterinRanong,therewere93RohingyadetainedintheIDCin Bangkok.ArrivingonAugust19,thedetaineeswereconcernedwithhavingproperfoodto startandbreaktheirfastsduringtheholymonthofRamadan,lastingfromAugust21 September19.Duringthistime,PEFandvolunteershelpedtosolicitfoodandmonetary donationsfromindividualsandlocalbusinessesfortheRohingyatopracticetheirreligious ritualsfortheentireRamadanperiod.Inaddition,wehelpedtoorganizeanEidalAdha celebrationinthedetentioncenteronNovember27. Rohingyanetworkmeeting,December8 PEForganizedameetingattheMuslimMosqueCenterinBangkokwithRohingyarefugees, Rohingyaadvisors,andMuslimorganizationstodiscusswaystoaddresstheproblemof RohingyadetaineesattheImmigrationDetentionCenterinBangkok.Othergroupsworking onRohingyaissueswhowereunabletoattendemailedtheirsuggestions.Inthemeeting,it wasagreedthattheThaigovernmentshouldcontacttheUnitedNationsHumanRights Council(UNHCR)tourgethemtoacceptthedetaineesasPeopleofConcern(POC). ResettlementtoathirdcountrywasidentiNiedasthebestsolution,anditwasagreedthat deportationbacktoBurmawasanunacceptablecourseofaction.Alettersummarizingthe suggestionswaspreparedforsubmissiontoThaiPrimeMinister,AbhisitVejjajiva,andother relevantgovernmentdepartments.

HumanitarianassistanceforKhmerKromrefugees IndigenoustotheMekongDeltainsouthernVietnam,theKhmerKromhavebeensubjectto yearsofdiscriminationandhumanrightsviolationsbytheVietnamesegovernment.Those whoNleetoneighboringCambodiagenerallyexperiencefurtherdiscriminationbythe Cambodiangovernment,withmanycompelledtomoveelsewhere.Therearenowover300 KhmerKromrefugeeslivingillegallyinThailandwithnodocumentsandnoprotectionfrom theUNHCR,whorejectedtheirPOCcase.UponrequestsfromaKhmerKromcommunity leaderforsecurityprotectionandhumanitarianassistancefortherefugees,PEFhas conductedseveralactivitiesintheirsupport. In2009,wehelpedtoprotectthehumansecurityof10KhmerKrombyregisteringthemas migrantworkersinThailand.However,thereisstillaconsiderableneedforadditional registrationassistance.Inaddition,wesupportedtheacceptanceof4KhmerKromchildren toattendaThaischoolandincludedagroupofKhmerKrominoursmallloansprogramto helpgenerateincomeforthecommunity.Thelatterwasminimallysuccessful,asparticipants hadproblemsmarketingtheirlocallyproducedsoyproducts.PEFhasalsoworkedclosely withCambodiangroupstogainrecognitionbytheUNHCRforresettlementtoa3rdcountry. 19

WhilePEFhastriedtohelpwithdaytodayprotectionandhumanitarianassistanceforthe KhmerKrom,wearelimitedinourcapacitytoaddressalloftheirneeds.Assuch,weare urgingcooperationfromotherorganizationstopayattentiontotheircause,whichhasbeen largelyneglectedthusfar.Therearenowsomegroupsinterestedinhelpingwithchildrens educationandcommunitydevelopment,andwecontactedlocalhospitalsintheprovinceto helpwithhealthcare,butthereisstillaneedfortherefugeefocusedNGOcommunitytotake moreactiononhelpingtheKhmerKrom.

Economic,social,andculturalrightsworkshops March2122,BasicTraining,MaeSot May3031,BasicTraining,PhangNga June2627,AdvancedTraining,MaeSot August1415,AdvancedTraining,PhangNga October10,ThaiLaborTraining,Bangkok November913,TrainingofTrainers,MaeSot

PEFhaspartneredwiththeFoundationforEducationandDevelopment(FED),basedinPhang Nga,Thailand,onathreeyearprojectaimedateducatingBurmesemigrantcommunities abouteconomic,socialandculturalrights(ESCR)issues.Theprojectseekstoestablisha knowledgebaseamongmigrantcommunitiesandcommunityorganizersthatwillserveasthe foundationforfuturelocalcampaignsforESCR.Inaddition,projectactivitiesaimtofoster positiveengagementbetweenmigrantcommunitiesandsectorsofThaicivilsociety, particularlyThailaborgroups. IntheNirstyearoftheproject,PEFandFEDorganizedsixworkshops,includingbasicand advancedtrainingsinMaeSotandPhangNga,atrainingoftrainersinMaeSot,andatraining aboutESCRandmigrantworkerconditionsformembersofThailabororganizationsin Bangkok.ParticipantsofthePhangNgaandMaeSotworkshopsincludedmembersoften communitybasedorganizationsworkingonlabor,womensandchildrensrights,aswellas approximately30migrantworkersemployedingarmentfactories,constructionsitesand rubberplantations.ThirtyrepresentativesofThailabororganizationswerepresentatthe Thailaborworkshop. 20

Fromtheseworkshops,participantshavegainedcomprehensiveknowledgeabouthuman rights,theESCRframework,speciNicUNcovenantsandinternationalhumanrightsstructures andmechanisms,andThailaborandmigrantlawsofparticularrelevancetoESCRand migrantworkers.Inaddition,participantssharedtheirexperiencesworkingandlivingin ThailandanddiscussedwaystoworkcollectivelytowardtherealizationofESCRintheir communities.Participantsofthetrainingoftrainersworkshopweretaughtfacilitationskills tobeusedinESCRworkshopswithintheircommunities,whilethosepresentattheThailabor workshoplearnedaboutworkandlivingconditionsfacedbymigrantworkersanddiscussed strategiesfordevelopingThaimigrantlaborsolidarity.Movingforwardwiththisproject,PEF andFEDplantoshiftthesecondyearfocustowardsupportofseveralmigrantcommunity workshopsandfosteringconnectionsbetweenmigrantcommunitiesandThaiworkers.

InternationalWorldPeaceDayMarch September21,2009 MaeSot OnthisyearsInternationalWorldPeaceDay, theVenerableAshinSopaka,ofthe InternationalBurmeseMonksOrganizations, organizedamarchthroughthebordertown ofMaeSottopromotepeaceinBurmaand throughouttheworldandtocommemorate the2ndanniversaryoftheSaffronRevolution inBurma.Themarchincludedover200 activists,includingmembersofthefollowing organizations:AlternativeASEANNetwork onBurma,BurmaPartnership,Peoples EmpowermentFoundation,ForumAsia,Thai ActionCommitteeforDemocracyinBurma, InternationalBurmeseMonksOrganizations, InternationalNetworkofEngagedBuddhists, FriendsofBurma,ForumforDemocracyin Burma,andtheStudentFederationof Thailand. The8kilometermarchsnakedthroughthe bordertownofMaeSotandendedatthe bridgethatcrossestoBurma,whereThai intelligenceofNicersand25riotpolicestood byandwatchedvariousspeechesanda concludinginterfaithprayerservice.In additiontoparticipatinginthemarch,PEF helpedtoexplaintheeventtotheTak governorandlocalauthoritiesbeforehand, ensuringthattheeventwouldoccursmoothlyandwithoutinterferencefromsecurityforces.

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GRASSROOTS SUPPORT
Parallel to our core program areas, PEF carries out several activities to support, collaborate with, and strengthen the capacity of grassroots partners and civil society networks. In 2009, such activities included skills training workshops and exchange programs, political analysis meetings, solidarity events, community visits, and humanitarian assistance. The following is a list of the years grassroots support activities, some of which are described in other sections of this report.

Laborsolidarity MeetingwithTrainTradeUnionandThaiNGOsabouttherailwayworkerslabor dispute,Bangkok CoorganizationofDignityReturnssolidaritygroupmeeting,Bangkok FieldvisitsandmoralandNinancialsupportforthelaidoffTriumphfactoryworkers campaign,Bangkok MonthlyattendanceofThaiLaborSolidarityCommitteemeetings,Bangkok ForeignlaborAdvocateNetworkmeeting,Bangkok

Refugeeandmigrantcommunitysupport TwoRohingyarefugeemeetingsatPEFofNice,Bangkok ThreemeetingswithRohingyarefugeesandtheMuslimOrganizationCommittee, Bangkok FactNindingvisittoRohingyadetaineesintheImmigrationDetentionCenter,Ranong ResourcepersonfortheBurmesemigrantworkercommunitycommemorationofthe 2ndyearanniversaryoftheSaffronRevolutioninBurma,Pangnga MahachaiBurmesemigrantworkerareavisit,withCatuddisaSangha,Mahachai KhmerKromrefugeecommunityvisitsandassistanceforregistrationasmigrant workers,supportforchildrenseducationandhealthcaremechanism,Nonthaburi 22

Politicalanalysismeetings BangkokpartnerandRayongcommunityanalysisoftheThaipoliticalsituationafter theviolencethatoccurredinBangkokandPattayainApril,Rayong StudentNetworkmeetingtodiscusstheThaipoliticalsituation,PEFofNice,Bangkok

SouthernThailandsharingandanalysis SouthernThailandgroupmeeting TwoNGOmeetingsonsouthernThailand MinistryofForeignAffairsmeetingonsouthernThailand,Bangkok

Othercommunitysupport Communityradioprogrammeeting,PEFofNice,Bangkok Pantiavillagecommunityvisit,Buriram ThaiKarenvillagerandlocalauthoritydiscussiononASEAN,Ratchaburi ThaiCambodianwomenincomegeneratingexchangeprogram,PhnomPenh, Cambodia

Income generation for disadvantaged groups in Bangkok and nearby areas

Beginning in late May, in cooperation with Bangkoks Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), PEF provided small funds to facilitate income generation projects for some of the most disadvantaged groups in Thai society. Participants of the project included senior citizens of the Pantia village in Buriram, the Khlong 6 a group of 20 unemployed women workers that PEF helped to organize, 4 Rohingya refugee families, a group of Khmer Krom refugees, consisting of 14 families, and a small group of persons with disabilities. Projects were decided by each group depending on interest, capacity, and resources, and small loans were used to produce and sell the following: rotti (Rohingya), soy products (Khmer Krom), and mushrooms (Khlong 6 workers group). Members of the Buriram community chose to produce artificial funeral flowers, but funds were only provided for a training workshop, as described below. Allotted funds were used for startup capital and to support training workshops for some groups. For instance, five members of the Khlong 6 attended a training program from July 1-5 in Samut Prakan, during which participants learned methods for growing and selling mushrooms. Program content included the stages of mushroom growth, instructions for processing raw materials, methods for making other products from mushrooms, and basic accounting practices. A workshop was also conducted for the Pantia village community group in Buriram. With strong leadership and a high capacity to organize, this group arranged for a workshop to train 30 locals how to craft artificial flowers to be used in funeral rituals. PEF provided them with a small loan to carry out their program, which was held from May 18-22 in Buriram. With the exception of the Khmer Krom, who have had difficulties in marketing and selling their products, the groups have been able to make sales in their communities and have begun paying back their loans. With the initial loan period finished, PEF will continue to communicate with each group to assess their experiences. Assistance will also be given to the Khmer Krom in finding markets for their soy products.

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

As a national organization, PEF maintains working relationships with regional and international networks and organizations, linking our work in Thailand to broad campaigns for peace, human rights, and democracy. In 2009 we continued to establish and strengthen ties with allies outside of Thailand through participation in several civil society gatherings.

GwangjuInternationalPeaceForum May1518 KimDaejungConventionCenter,Gwangju,SouthKorea WithparticipantsfromorganizationsthroughoutAsia,includingARENA,theAsianNPO NetworkforAdequateHousing(ANAH),InternationalCoalitionofHistoricSites,Asian MemorialAssociationsonInternationalNetwork,PSPDInternationalSolidarityCommittee andSDMA,theGwangjuInternationalPeaceforumwasheldtoshareinformationaboutthe May18democraticuprisinganddemocraticmovementinSouthKoreaandtofosteranetwork ofhumanrightsandothercivilsocietymovementsacrossAsia.Theforumincludedseveral workshopsandinformationsharingsessions,andprovidedanopportunityforPEFstaffto shareworkexperiencesandconnectwithotherhumanrightsanddemocracyactivists throughouttheregion. WorldForumforDemocratizationinAsiabiennialmeeting September1618 Seoul,SouthKorea TheWorldForumforDemocratizationinAsia(WFDA)holdsabiennialconferencetofoster solidarityandcooperationamongAsiandemocracyactorsandactivistsandtogain internationalsupportfordemocratizationeffortsinAsia.The2009gatheringincluded approximately200democracyandhumanrightsactivistsfromover20countries.PEF programManager,KriangsakTeerakowitkajornattendedthegatheringandhelpedtoorganize theyouthcaucusonthelastday.TheconferencecoveredsuchtopicsasKorean democratization,addressingissuesofpovertyandinequalitythroughdemocracy,political participationofwomen,andmore.Inaddition,theFrameworkforAction20092011was discussedandadopted,alongwiththeSeoulDeclarationonDemocracyandEconomicand SocialJustice.TheconferenceprovidedavaluablechancetosharePEFsnationalworkon democracypromotionwhilelearningaboutworkexperiencesofgroupsinotherlocations.

GlobalPartnershipforthePreventionofArmedConXlictSoutheastAsia,Regional SteeringCommitteeMeeting September30September31 WaterfrontInsularHotel,Davao,Philippines 24

AsamemberorganizationoftheGlobalPartnershipforthe PreventionofArmedConNlictSoutheastAsia(GPPACSEA),PEF waspresentattheGPPACSEARegionalSteeringCommittee meeting,whichwasheldinDavao,PhilippinespriortotheGPPAC InternationalSteeringGroupmeeting.PEFstaffmetwith partnersfromthePhilippines,Indonesia,andCambodia,aswell aspeaceactivistsfromtheBalkansandWestAfrica,toshare countrysituationsanddiscusssuchtopicsaspeacebuildingamid ethnicdifferencesandearlywarningandearlyresponse(EWAR). FieldvisitstocommunitiesthroughoutMindanaowerealso organized.KeychallengesandstrategiesforaddressingtheconNlictinsouthernThailand weresharedbyPEFstaff.Inaddition,participantsNinalizedtheGPPACSEAactionplanfor 20102012,ofwhichPEFwillcontributetointhecomingyears.

AsiaEuropePeoplesForummeetingonTransformativeSocialProtection October1213 Manila,Philippines InOctober,PEFDirector,ChalidaTajaroensuk,attendedameetingwithmembersoftheAsia EuropePeoplesForum(AEPF)todiscussproposalsandplansfortransformativesocial protectionasademocraticandhumanrightsresponsetotheeconomiccrisis.Approximately 50peoplefromSoutheastandSouthAsiaattendedthemeetingtodiscussproblems associatedwithNinancial,economic,food,andclimatecrises,aswellastheneedforsuchbasic rightsaspension,socialsecurity,education,housing,healthcare,adequatefood,waterand electricity.Itwasagreedthattransformativesocialprotectionwouldbeakeyagendathatwill beadvancedbytheAEPFandbytheInternationalNetworkforTransformativeSocial Protection("ReclaimPeople'sDignity"),whichwasformedduringthemeeting.Asamember ofthisnetwork,PEFwillpushfortransformativesocialprotectionmeasuresinThailandand willlinktheconcepttoourworkinmonitoringthethreeASEANcommunityblueprints.In addition,weplantobringpartnersfromourThaigrassrootsnetworktoparticipateinthe nextAEPFinBelgiuminOctober2010.

InternationalNetworkofEngagedBuddhistsConference November1317 InternationalMeditationCenterofMahachulalongkornUniversity,ChiangMai PEFstaffwasamongthe200participantsoftheInternationalNetworkofEngagedBuddhists (INEB)conference,heldduringtheirFestivalofPeaceandSocialTransformation.Wealso broughtnunsandmonksfromCatuddisaSanghaThailand,aBuddhistmovementthat conductsgrassrootssocialdevelopmentactivitiesthroughoutAsia,toattendthemeeting. Bringingtogetherspiritualgroupsfromacrosstheworld,theconferenceincludedpanels coveringseveraltopicsrelevanttoengagedBuddhism,includingeconomicand environmentaljustice,nationalismandethnicity,andgenderissues.Atthemeeting,PEF sharedideasforaThaiCambodianpeaceprojectbasedonbuildingtrustandmutual understandingthroughcrossbordercommunityvisitsanddiscussionsonpeopleshistories. Asaresult,wewereabletomakelinkswithlikemindedpartnersinCambodia,whoweare collaboratingwithtobegintheprojectinearly2010.

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2009 Donors
ASEAN Association Thailand Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) May18 Memorial Foundation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Open Society Institute (OSI) Oxfam Great Britain Southeast Asia Regional Cooperation in Human Development (SEARCH) Taiwan Foundation for Democracy United States Embassy in Thailand