In the wake of COVID-19, the world has undergone profound transformations. Geopolitical landscapes have been reshaped by escalating conflicts, profoundly affecting countless lives and livelihoods. Consequently, the displacement of refugees from their homelands has surged, with many seeking solace in countries like Thailand. Meanwhile, the relentless march of global climate change continues to intensify, presenting ever more pressing challenges with each passing day. Additionally, the repercussions of conflicts around the globe directly and indirectly impact Thailand’s economy. This, in turn, exacerbates issues of poverty within the nation. In terms of education, there exists inequality for children from diverse ethnic backgrounds in accessing quality education while also ensuring their linguistic rights and effective educational management. Moreover, English proficiency of many groups in Thailand is still not well-equipped.
As society continues to prioritize economic development and material prosperity as benchmarks of national success, past and present government policies have aligned with this focus, perpetuating an unsustainable trajectory for national development in Thailand and its neighboring countries. These multifaceted challenges weigh heavily on our societies, eroding their quality of life and impeding the countries’ developmental progress.
The study of culture and religions helps us in contributing to the society in this rapidly changing world order. The UN’s sustainable development goals often correlates such issues of global nature with varieties of study and analysis. The Language Institute of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University is utilizing social sciences and humanities approaches to address these challenges.
To mark its 12th anniversary, the Institute is proud to contribute to the formation of the Thailand Association for the Study of Culture History and Religions (TASCHR). Through the 1st TASCHR’s inaugural international and national conference, themed “Multifaceted Religion, Language, and Culture for Sustainability,” scholars from Thailand and abroad will collaborate to explore how religions, languages, and cultures intersect in advancing sustainable development. This event offers a platform for academic research presentation, knowledge exchange, and the expansion of scholarly networks.