What happens when you gather passionate students, give them space to speak, and challenge them to move from awareness to action? The answer unfolded at a transformative workshop led by Ms. Piyanut Kotsan, Human Rights Strategist and Social Change Facilitator, and Ms. Saksini Emasiri, Youth Engagement and Participation Specialist.

Titled “From Global Crisis to People Power: Defending Freedom, Climate Justice, and Human Rights in a Divided World,” the session—one of several activities held during the second day of IRGA Festival 2026 on February 25^th  at Charinyarasami Hall—wasn’t just another lecture hall experience. It was a rallying cry—and the students answered with conviction, creativity, and an unmistakable hunger for change.

Breaking the Ice, Building Bridges

After Ms. Saksini led the International Relations and Global Affairs (IRGA) students in an ice-breaker activity, Ms. Piyanut started the discussion with a deceptively simple question: What social issues do you think need to be addressed?

The room, initially quiet, soon buzzed with urgency.

One student spoke from the heart about the stark education gap in rural Thailand, where poverty denies school-age children the right to learn—a right he and his peers take for granted. “I think about this issue because of the contrast between their minimal access to education compared to the privilege I enjoy,” he shared. His group didn’t stop at empathy; they proposed actionable solutions, including economic development initiatives in rural areas and student-led fundraising campaigns to provide books and school supplies.

Another group tackled gender inequality head-on, calling for equal pay, fair hiring practices, and greater female representation in corporate decision-making. Their strategy as student campaigners? An information-sharing event by Mahidol University’s scenic lakeside—turning awareness into advocacy where students gather and talk about issues.

The conversation grew broader and bolder. Students flagged the rise of artificial intelligence and its potential for abuse. A Malaysian student spoke candidly about racial discrimination and inequality—issues that transcend borders, affecting both his homeland and Thailand. Other voices rose to address border conflicts with Cambodia, restrictions on freedom of expression, and the pervasive trauma of sexual harassment.

From Awareness to Action

Ms. Piyanut and Ms. Saksini didn’t let the energy dissipate into abstract concern. They anchored the discussion in a fundamental truth: Human rights belong to everyone and must be protected. But protection, they emphasized, requires collaboration across sectors—governments, civil society, interagency institutions, academia, corporations, and critically, the victims and survivors themselves.

After given time to discuss their respective topics, each group then presented their findings and proposed solutions, transforming the workshop into a microcosm of democratic engagement and collective problem-solving.

Ms. Piyanut beamed with pride: “I’m proud of this batch of students who are very socially aware.”

The students themselves delivered the workshop’s most resonant messages.

Ms. Nasla Pradhan, a young IRGA student from Nepal, and one of the workshops’ student assistants, articulated youth responsibility with clarity: “As young people, we can educate ourselves and other people about the social issues that affect us. At the same time, we should start by effectively pushing back against microaggressions.”

Her fellow student assistant, Mr. Nattanun Puttarangse, also a freshman student, elevated the stakes to the global stage: “In an increasingly chaotic world, as a young global citizen, we can create discussions, share our stories and ideas, and educate people.”

These weren’t rehearsed soundbites—they were declarations of purpose from a generation refusing to inherit problems without demanding solutions.

The students in the workshop didn’t just identify problems; they claimed ownership of solutions. They recognized their privilege and chose responsibility. They understood that human rights aren’t abstract ideals but daily battles fought in classrooms, boardrooms, borders, and beyond.

The question now isn’t whether young people care. It’s whether the rest of us—governments, institutions, corporations, and civil society—are ready to listen, support, and act alongside them.

Deeply interested in international relations and social issues? Enrolling in the International Relations and Global Affairs major could give you the opportunity to learn new ideas and provide the stage for your advocacies. Learn more about IRGA here: https://muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/programs/undergraduate-programs/social-science/