The UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and Chulalongkorn University (CU) hosted a 10-day workshop on Mindful Communication for ASEAN Integration in July 2016 for mid-career communication and journalism trainers from ASEAN and beyond, with representatives from Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Philippines. The workshop, led by Dr. Kalinga Seneviratne of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and Dr. Jirayudh Sinthuphan of CU, introduced mindful communication and journalism training curricula based on Asia’s age-old philosophies.

From the Philippines, Therese San Diego of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication and Evans Yonson of Xavier University were invited. On the first day of the workshop, San Diego joined Dorji Wangchuk, former dean of External Relations, Research and Development at Royal Thimpu College Bhutan, and Thai Broadcasting Journalists Association Vice President Pipope Panitchpakdi as panelist in the discussion on “Asia-Focused Journalism” moderated by Seneviratne.

The workshop sessions covered the following areas: human-centered journalism; Asianizing communication theories; media and society; climate change and sustainable development; development journalism; sufficiency economics and business reporting; and reporting for community radio. Apart from Seneviratne and Sinthuphan, the workshop moderators, facilitators, and speakers included Prof. Supaporn Phokaew and Dr. Jessada Salathong of Chulalongkorn University; Ms. Supinya Klangnarong, Vice Chair of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, Thailand; and representatives from the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) led by Mr. Anothai Udomsilp, Director for Academic Institute of Public Media.

On the final day, all participants presented their plans on how the proposed curricula on mindfulness can be incorporated into the curricula of their respective schools.