As we enter the last few weeks of this semester, students on the ‘Thailand, ASEAN and the World’ course, led by Dr Pred Evans and Dr Duan Haosheng, got up early on 3rd November, 2025, to travel to the UNESCO building in the Ekkamae area of Sukhumvit.

For two hours, students engaged with the achievements and challenges of international organisations such as SEAMEO (Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisation) and UNESCO in relation to sustainable development through education and other fields. SEAMEO SEPS (SEAMEO Regional Center for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability) introduced students to several projects which focus on the much-respected sufficiency economy philosophy of the late King Rama IX, while UNESCO discussed the considerable achievements so far but also examined why the SDG goals will not be achieved until 2062, over 30 years later than expected.

As our faculty MoU partners, this was another step forward in our ongoing relationship with SEAMEO, to add to the internships our students enjoy there every year. As a first SPD visit to UNESCO, it was an opportunity to delve deeper into the role of education in ensuring social development. Thank you to Khun Yai, Secretary to the Director at SEAMEO Secretariat, Mr Carlo Fernando for introducing SEAMEO Secretariat, Ms Abigail Lanceta for presenting the work of SEAMEO SEPS and Ms Catherine Wilzack and Mr Brendon Darr for sharing the work of UNESCO Bangkok. Thank you also to our professional and thoughtful students who engaged so well with all of the speak.