An Alternative College for the Poor:

South East Asia Learning centre for Sustainable Communities.

The development of an Alternative College in Siam is currently in the planning stages. The college will serve as an extension of the GLT program and will offer 2-year courses teaching empowerment for sustainable communities.

The College will work to train leaders, support village level projects, and provide follow-up support for alumni in their communities. Participants in the program will include Karen (PgazK'Nyau) ethnic minorities, rural poor especially members of the Assembly of the Poor, and socially engaged monks and nuns belonging to the Sekiyadhamma group.

Each year 45 people (gender-balanced) will be selected to attend the College. The curriculum will begin with 6 months of classroom training and observation of various communities. Participants will learn about appropriate technology, herbal medicines, cultural renewal, and eco-educational tourism, among other things. Participants will then return to their communities to set up their own projects as part of the learning process before coming back again for 6 more months the following year.

Objectives:

1. To expand the GLT's highly successful 3 month leadership training course and create an ongoing region-wide centre for sustainable communities.
2. To offer a 2 year curriculum (including classroom and field based education) for community leaders which will enhance their confidence, broaden their environmental and social perspectives, and help them establish sustainable community projects.
3. To develop adequate follow-up and support systems to ensure the success of participant and community initiatives. This will include field monitoring and evaluation, ongoing learning opportunities, and a central office to respond to questions from graduates and target communities.
4. To provide written and audio-visual educational materials for both the participants and their communities.
5. To share the results of the research and field projects with a wider audience for public education, policy impact, and fund-raising purposes.

The well-being of a people depends upon the well-being of their environment. The Alternative College will stress the importance of environmental protection and ecological recovery in relation to the recovery and well-being of society. The College will teach within the framework of preserving traditional cultural values, ecological conservation, social justice, and spirituality.

For further information contact Pracha Hutanuwatr at Wongsanit Ashram e-mail