The Young Ambassadors of Virtue Foundation carried out the “Exchange of Friendship Among T- CLMV Youths ” project. The project brought together the Thai Young Ambassadors of Virtue and students from schools under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in neighboring CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam). The project took place during 30 April – 10 May 2016.
Participants are comprised of 40 students and 8 teachers from the 4 neighboring countries, 20 Thai students and 4 teachers from the Young Ambassadors of Virtue Foundation’s network schools and Border Patrol Police schools in Sakolnakorn and Nakhon Phanom, bringing the total number of participants to 72 individuals. Students are in grade 6 to 8. 1 Myanmese interpreter and 1 Vietnamese interpreter also took part in the activity.
The Activities conducted under this project aimed to build friendship, inspire a sense of virtue among the participating students, as well as introduce them to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. The activities were held in 4 provinces, namely Petchaburi, Pathumthani, Bangkok and Sakol Nakhon. The educational camp at Phu Phan Royal Development Studey Centre allowed the students to gain better understanding of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. The camp at Sirindhorn International Environmental Park taught the students on how to conserve and restore mangrove forest. The students also got to exchange knowledge and share experiences with students in the Young Ambassadors of Virtue Foundation’s network schools such as Wat Don Kai Tia School in Petchaburi, Thanyasidhisilp School in Pathumthani and Border Patrol Police School in Sakol Nakhon.
During their stay in Thailand, the participating students had an opportunity to sign a royal homage book to His Majesty the King, and were granted an a royal audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The students also paid courtesy calls to the Thai Foreign Affairs Minister, the Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Mr. Suvat Chirapant) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A selected group of students took part in a recording of the “Young Ambassadors On Air” radio show. Certificate awarding ceremony was held on 9 May 2016.
This is the first time that the Foundation invited youths from neighboring CLMV countries to visit Thailand. The project was made possible by the generous support from the Royal Thai Embassies in the 4 countries. The Royal Thai Embassies helped coordinated with the local schools and facilitated their participation in this visit. Specials thanks are given to the Royal Thai Embassies in Yangon and Vientiane for fully sponsoring air tickets for students from Myanmar and Laos.