Chula Launches the 4th “International Friends for Peace (IFP)” to End School Violence and Bullying
Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with Globish Academia (Thailand) and Moment Education Co., Ltd., held the launch of the 4th International Friends for Peace (IFP) initiative on May 14, 2025, at CU Plearn Space, 1st Floor, Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkorn University.
The International Friends for Peace project was established to promote intercultural and social understanding among Thai high school students. It encourages awareness and equips youth with the tools to prevent violence—either affecting themselves or their peers—through knowledge-sharing with experienced international speakers. Participants are guided in using Design Thinking to develop innovative solutions tailored to their local contexts. These ideas are then publicly presented at Chulalongkorn University as a platform for youth to express their perspectives creatively and proudly assume roles as Peace Leaders. The project has seen great progress from 2022 to 2024.
2025 Theme: Ending Violence in the AI Era
In 2025, the program is being spearheaded by Chulalongkorn University’s Center for Social Innovation. This year’s opening event, “Opening of International Friends for Peace 2025,” focused on raising awareness of the pressing issue of school violence under the theme “Ending Violence in the AI Era”. The event emphasized the use of innovation and design to tackle school violence sustainably. Associate Professor Dr. Pakorn Varanusupakul, Assistant to the President for Student Development at Chulalongkorn University, delivered the welcome speech.
Key Highlights:
- Review of IFP’s success over the past 3 years.
- Presentation of student-led innovations addressing the generation gap.
- Panel discussion: “Perspectives on School Violence”.
- Keynote lecture: “Listen with the Heart, Speak with Care: How to Create a Safe Space in the Classroom”.
Assistant to the President Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University
Remarks from Chulalongkorn University:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pakorn Varanusupakul remarked, “Youth violence continues to persist in schools, communities, and online. Its physical and emotional impacts can be severe and long-lasting. IFP provides a platform for students to voice these issues and co-create solutions through learning, innovation, and public engagement.”
Co-founder, IFP
Reflections from the Project Co-Founder:
Mr. Thiraput Tippayarat, co-founder of IFP, stated, “For the past three years, our goal has not only been to create a competition. We want to empower Thai youth to become changemakers who can develop innovations to transform society. We believe in the power of their voice and potential. The fact that we are entering our fourth year shows that school violence remains a real issue—but it also shows that our youth still have hope and the energy to bring about change. Many former participants have returned as leaders or even created new initiatives inspired by IFP. This is what drives us to keep building this platform.”
2024 Winning “Team”—”Champion”
The winning team from IFP 2024, named “Champion,” presented “Able-Sustainable”—an innovation designed to bridge communication gaps between students and their parents through targeted quizzes and family activities.
A team representative shared, “Even minor bullying in school can leave lasting scars. I want to be someone who helps break that cycle so that younger students don’t have to feel the same loneliness others once did. IFP helped me realize there are many who care deeply about the same issue. It gave me hope, learning, and inspiration to create real change. IFP is not just a competition—it’s a safe space for youth to speak out and find solutions together.” – Waranysaya Saengsomboon, IFP 2024 Peace Leader
Expert Lecture on Safe Classrooms
In her special lecture, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanisa Tantixalerm, from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Education, stressed that: “A safe classroom is the most valuable gift for a child’s growth. Positive communication and support systems are essential not just to prevent violence but to help children feel proud of who they are. Teachers and parents play a crucial role in shaping a hopeful and transformative future for both students and society.”
Project Overview:
International Friends for Peace is a national-level competition for high school students (Grades 7–11) across Thailand. It serves as a platform for motivated students to express and address the challenges of youth violence in schools through collaborative learning and innovation.
2025 Registration Open Now
The 5th round of the International Friends for Peace program is now open for applications until June 16, 2025. Interested students can register via Instagram: @ifp.thailand
