“SHAPE-SEA celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over the last decade, SHAPE-SEA, which is hosted by the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University, has been working with and supporting scholars in Southeast Asia to conduct research and publicize knowledge on various human rights and peace themes. We are very excited that last year we were able to provide a research grant to the first scholar from Laos, and now we are here in Vientiane to conduct this national training on human rights and peace education and research. We hope it will serve as a foundation for continued collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and skill-building in the years to come.” said Dr. Vachararutai (Jan) Boontinand, Executive Director of SHAPE-SEA.
March 26, 2025 | Vientiane, Lao PDR
SHAPE-SEA (Strengthening Human Rights and Peace Research and Education in ASEAN/Southeast Asia) and the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) of the National University of Laos (NUOL) have launched a National Skills-Based Training on Human Rights and Peace Education and Research in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The training, attended by a total of 22 participants, aims to equip emerging Laotian scholars, including those from Champasak University, with essential knowledge and research methodologies to strengthen human rights and peace advocacy in both national and regional contexts.
Since the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975, legal education has played a vital role in governance and the rule of law. As such, this training initiative is part of SHAPE-SEA’s broader commitment to strengthening human rights and peace education in Southeast Asia, offering a space for dialogue, learning, and innovation.
Ambassador Phoukhong Sisoulath, Director General of the Department of Treaty and Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former AICHR representative from 2013-2018, welcomed the participants and emphasized the significance of peace in the region:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government have always supported lasting peace. As a nation that has endured war and violence, we value a peace-oriented perspective. In line with the ASEAN Declaration’s Article 38, which highlights the right to enjoy peace, it is also essential to define the responsibilities and obligations of duty bearers in maintaining peace. We have also taken the initiative to conduct a thematic study on the right to peace, recognizing the interconnection between peace and human rights. This study will be launched soon.”
He also noted the need for a local context in shaping human rights education and policymaking. Additionally, he highlighted Lao PDR’s ongoing preparation for its 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle and its role as a party to the Human Rights Council (HRC), supporting international human rights norms and mechanisms while ensuring the nation’s compliance.
Dr. Somdeth Keovongsack, Dean of the FLP, also graced the kick-off and reflected on the faculty’s historical milestones and its role in legal education and international human rights law. FLP, which was previously under the Ministry of Justice, has reached a significant milestone, especially as they celebrate their 39th anniversary, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to advance human rights education with their faculty and other Laos emerging scholars.
This initiative is also part of SHAPE-SEA’s 2025 roadmap, which prioritizes expanding outreach across the Mekong region—including Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—to strengthen human rights and peace education, as well as research training and bridge knowledge and capacity gaps. As the complexities of legal and political landscapes grow, initiatives like this training play a crucial role in promoting a new generation of scholars and practitioners dedicated to justice, inclusion, and peacebuilding. As such, teaching and learning need to embrace a rights-based approach that prioritizes dignity, equality, and encourages participation and critical thinking.
“SHAPE-SEA celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over the last decade, SHAPE-SEA, which is hosted by the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University, has been working with and supporting scholars in Southeast Asia to conduct research and publicize knowledge on various human rights and peace themes. We are very excited that last year we were able to provide a research grant to the first scholar from Laos, and now we are here in Vientiane to conduct this national training on human rights and peace education and research. We hope it will serve as a foundation for continued collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and skill-building in the years to come.” said Dr. Vachararutai (Jan) Boontinand, Executive Director of SHAPE-SEA. ###
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Request for Dissemination to Networks and Media Coverage: We kindly request your support in disseminating this announcement to relevant networks and consider covering this important training initiative. Your assistance in amplifying this opportunity will help engage emerging Laotian scholars and researchers in advancing human rights and peace education.
