World Vision Foundation of Thailand joined the “Network Meeting and Seminar on the Opening of the Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) for the Northern Region” held in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. Representatives from government agencies, civil society, educational institutions, the media, and human rights organisations in the region attended the event to exchange perspectives and experiences on human rights issues.
The event featured a panel discussion on “Human Rights… Challenges and Expectations of the NHRCT in the Northern Region.” Panellists reflected expectations regarding the NHRCT’s role in systematically protecting, preventing, and addressing human rights violations—from structural issues to acting as a voice for those who still lack access to rights or opportunities to express their concerns. They also emphasised collaboration with multiple sectors to sustainably resolve context-specific challenges in the region.
Key human rights issues raised in the northern context included:
- The right to clean air and a healthy environment
- The right to citizenship and legal status
- The right to land ownership and natural resource management
In the afternoon, a public forum provided space for communities to voice their experiences of human rights issues in the area. Concerns raised were diverse, including the rights of older persons, children’s rights, women’s rights and gender equality, citizenship and ethnic minority rights, labour and migrant workers’ rights, rights to good environments, homelessness, the rights of people living with HIV, and freedom of religion.
The role of World Vision Foundation of Thailand in human rights promotion
World Vision Foundation of Thailand has a longstanding experience in advancing human rights, particularly in:
- Legal status for stateless children and youth
- Rights to fundamental services, including education, life skills, child protection, health, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods
Our collaboration with government agencies, communities, and local networks ensures that vulnerable groups have equal access to the fundamental rights they are entitled to. This includes emphasis on gender equality, zero discrimination, and social inclusion in designing sustainable solutions.
A significant step towards strengthened human rights collaboration in the northern region
Participation in this meeting marks an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation between World Vision Foundation of Thailand, the Office of NHRCT in the northern region, and various local partners. Together, we aim to advance human rights issues in the northern region in a more concrete and coordinated manner—moving towards a society that respects human dignity and ensures that no one is left behind.
