Civil Education Network in Asia (CENA) is a joint initiative of 4 universities in North East Asia, including: Keisen University, Sacred Heart University (Japan); Hani Shen University (Taiwan); and Hanshin University (Korea) to promote students’ self-reflection and critical thinking.
The 5th CENA summer school will be co-hosted by Asian Resource Foundation (ARF) and Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) at International Institute of Peace and Development Studies (IIPDS) in Nong Chok, Bangkok, Thailand. The school is scheduled on August 1st – 5th, 2016 with the theme"Democracy, Development and Peace in Civil Education".
Undergraduate & Post-graduate students, Youth Leaders, Young Scholars, Peace and Development workers from NGOs are encouraged to apply.
Introduction:
Civil Education Network in Asia (CENA) is an initiative of progressive scholars from North East Asia. It offers summer school program to enable students to inculcate critical thinking towards self and collective empowerment. So that, the new generation can express themselves independent of existing oppressive dominant cultures and authorities.
This process of self realization inspires students to embrace diversity and transcend to become truly global citizens. They develop inner urge to voluntarily express solidarity with the communities near and far engaged in the struggle to get rid of poverty, deprivation, injustices and exclusion.
The summer school analyzes the state of Asia and the world, identify challenges and explore opportunities. It creates space to share local experiences, facilitate exposure visits to know more about host countries, its cultures and establish relations with socially engaged organizations.
Participatory process in the school generates ideas to follow-up both academic and practical works in between two summer schools.
Key Words of the Fifth Summer School: Democracy, Development and Peace
Most of the nation states have been suffering from democratic deficits. Government either elected by the people or self appointed ones, tend to serve the rich and powerful. Whereas the vast majority rural and urban population, remain at the bottom line.
Development induced displacement, manmade disaster and exploitation of natural resources put not only the life of the people at great risk, but it is causing insecurity for future generation.
We have been witnessing unprecedented level of violence by the states and non state extremists, loss of lives, destruction and the plight of millions of refugees and migrant caused by the coalition of states and coalition of states. Some termed it as Third World War. So peace is the call of the day.
The governments and its structures, the political parties, business groups and the educational institutes all seem failing in their respective role. United Nation helplessly witnessing one of the greatest human tragedy
Day Wise Proposed Program
August One : Arrival, Orientation about the venue and rest
August Two : Introduction of the participants and SENA Summer School and Program. Discussion and adoption of agenda, the time frame.
Thematic Plenary presentations by scholars and responses from the participants
Topics:
- Role and relevance of critical education in responding emerging challenges
- Geo politics and its impact on trans-border cooperation
- Natural and man-made disaster: Trans-border solidarity
- Understanding global and local extremism and possible way out
- Cultural Evening
Day three : Presentation from students and commented scholars and students
- Coping with uncertain future and the stress experienced by the students
- Relationships between outdoor and indoor studies and impact
- Students role in political activism : contradiction and complementary to critical thinking
- Presence of old scholar limits space /creates space for students
- Advantage and disadvantage of specialized topic and integrated topics
- Challenges and opportunities for students studying in abroad
Workshop on Academic Writing
School or Community visit
August four: Concluding Session
City tour
