1. Peace Processes as Joint Learning Processes of Stakeholders
and Insider Peacebuilders: A Case Study on Southern
Thailand
Norbert Ropers – Berghof Foundation/ Center for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity (CSCD)
Mathus Anuvatudom – King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI)
November 2013

2. Points to Share
1. Why is the Insider Peacebuilders Platform (IPP) needed?
2. How did we do during nine months (September 2011 –
June 2012)?
3. What are the outcomes?
4. What are the challenges?
5. What are the lessons learnt from the process?

3. “a critical mass of committed
and experienced insider
peacebuilders
who represent together all key
stakeholders from across the
conflict spectrum of different
motives, positions, and
interests
that loosely forms an effective
joint platform for conflict
analysis and development of
roadmaps for peace”

4. Basic Assumptions on IPP (phase 1-2)
1. A network for active engagement to transform the
conflict by stakeholders across the divide was needed.
• In the past 7 years, few efforts on peacebuilding involved inclusive
collaboration of stakeholders. Most networks are like-minded.
• Public discourse on peace process in the south was very limited.
2. Conflict transformation based on collective action is
unlikely to achieve without common understanding on
the conflict.
• Any approach regarding on political solution (i.e. research papers, 50
forums on decentralization) was not seriously considered due to
different understandings on the cause of violence.

5. Basic Assumptions on IPP (phase 1-2)
3. Joint conflict analysis could be a learning process where
trust can be gradually built and pave the way for future
collaboration.
• A starting point to engage fundamentally different groups of people
together is to provide a safe space for learning.
• Sound solutions can only come from proper analysis. Practical
solutions can only then come from joint analysis.
• There is no analysis of the conflict done by insider stakeholders
released to the public realm.

6. Look
Back
ward
Look
Forwa
rd

7. The Formation and Activities of IPP
1. Forming up of core working team comprised of BangkokPat(t)ani based organizations supported financially and
academically by international organizations/ communities

8. The Formation and Activities of IPP
2. Venue – Prince Songkla University, Pattani Campus
3. 5 workshops – 3 days each/ plenary and break out group
sessions from September 2011 – June 2012
4. Selection of participants
• Multipliers
• Representation of different opinions
• Approximately 50 persons ranging from military officers, civil
servants, local politicians, monks, imams, Thai Buddhist and Malay
Muslim teachers, youth and women leaders, journalists, academics,
community leaders, and local intellectuals

10. A Series of Joint Conflict Analysis
• Promote systemic
understanding
• Step-by-step trust
and confidence
building
• Visualizations

12. Onion Tool

16. Summary of the Analysis on Conflict in Southern Thailand
Insider Peacebuilders Platform (IPP)
Positions and Needs
•
Independent
State
•
Self government
in accordance
with MalayPatani identity
•
Protection of
culture, identity,
and dignity of
Malay Patani
community
•
Justice and
equality on
political,
economic,
socio-cultural
matters
Illegal
business/
Criminals
Patani
Liberation
Movement
Senior
Groups
Thai State
Pursuing the goals by means
that triggered violence
Current
Leaders
Government
Operational
Youth
State
Agencies
Military
Sympathizers
Positions and Needs
•
Territorial
Integrity and
Sovereignty
•
Social stability
and safety of
lives and
properties
•
Protection of
culture, identity,
and dignity of
Thai State
Implementation of
Emergency Decree
Retaliation
Civil Society
Sector
•
•
•
Positions and Needs
Justice and social stability
Peaceful coexistence within pluralistic
society
Political participation
Narratives of Malay Muslims –
““We were conquered and treated unfairly
for decades.”
Organization
/Network
Communities
Narratives of Thai
Chineses –
“We are just settlers.”
Mainstream Thai Society
International Community
Narratives of Thai Buddhists - “We had lived
together peacefully until a group of people was trying
to mobilize locals for their own causes.”

17. Outcomes from IPP Process
1. Common analysis of and understanding on the conflict done by
various stakeholders
• Joint comprehensive conflict analysis
• Thai Buddhists realized strong sentiments for liberation/independence
• BRN – Liberation movement emerged as a main party (before the
official peace dialogue)
2. A physical and psychological space/network where fundamentally
differences can be safely discussed, tolerated, and co-exist.
• Participants are enthusiastic to meet, discuss, and update situation
• Participants were more cautious not to over-generalize the others
• Participants acknowledged different perspectives and their rationales
and realized that they can actually “work” together (i.e. military officer)

18. Outcomes from IPP Process
3.
Cultivating interest and understanding on peace process at
Track 2 level which can later be a safety net for Track 1 level
4.
Environment conducive to peace dialogue and public discourse
on peace process (some participants believe in its contribution to 28/2)

19. TRACK I
Supporting Track I
1 • Consultation/ Lobbying
TRACK II
2
Consolidating and
Building Capacity for IPP
• 12 workshops
• 3 training sessions
• 24 team meetings
IPP
Joint Learning
Process
Setting up Insider
Peacebuilders Resource
Center (IPRC)
TRACK III
4
Mobilizing Track III
• Voices of Pat(t)ani
• Peace campaign designed by
Multiplatform Media experts
Mainstream Thai Society
Deep South of Thailand Society
3

20. Challenges of IPP Process
1. Turning joint learning into joint action
2. Difficulty of inviting more military officers and politicallydriven Thai Buddhists on board
3. Open question on whether multiplying this type of work as
several IPPs or strengthening the original group
4. Limitation on measuring impact at macro level

21. Some Lessons Learnt from IPP Process
1. An inclusive platform/network where all key actors are adequately
present is critical to a meaningful transformation – Internal
dialogue within groups of stakeholders is necessary to prepare for
engagement
2. Joint learning based on sound tools, knowledge and experiences
from elsewhere with good facilitation and safe environment can
disseminate expertise and skills, build trust and confidence, and
lay a foundation for public peace process
3. Although track 2 and 3 are critical, linkage of IPP with track 1
will make the work of IPP and the peace process in general more
holistic and create more immediate impacts.