26 November – 3 December 2023

TOA collaborated with RDA and STELLA (a social enterprise connecting young Lao communities) to organize Thailand’s Learning Exchange and Regional Knowledge Exchange from November 26th to December 3rd, 2023. The Lao civil society delegates, winners of the NOW Us Award, learned and shared the NOW Us principle with five rights-holder targets in Thailand through mini-workshops and dialogues.

During the Learning Exchange, the Lao civil society visited the following organizations:

1. Independent Living (IL) in Nakon Pathom: IL advocates for including persons with disabilities to enable them to live with dignity and make independent choices.

2. Tavoy Worker in Aor Tor Kor, Bangkok: The Tavoy migrant workers belong to the “Wat Pai Tan community ” and have lived and worked in Bangkok’s Aor Tor Kor community for two generations. They run souvenir shops and food stalls and produce handmade items such as picture frames, handicrafts, and wooden furniture.

3. Thai Volunteer Service (TVS): The Return Homeland Volunteer Program empowers change agents to deepen their understanding of themselves, their communities, and society. It promotes analytical thinking and develops community economies through eco-tourism, sustainable farming, and community cooperatives. Participants engage in activities related to inclusive city development, media literacy, project management skills, and networking within the return homeland community.

During the Regional Knowledge Exchange, participants collaboratively created a common learning space to explore intersectional rights-holder-led initiatives and creative advocacy approaches for social change. This exchange facilitated sharing experiences and innovative strategies among diverse stakeholders working to promote human rights and social justice.