Thai youth bring synodality to life with 3-day social 'hackathon'

By Nattha Nuchsuwan, LiCAS News

The event, held from July 12 to 14, 2024, aimed to engage young minds in addressing pressing societal challenges through the lens of the Synod on Synodality.

Peter Monthienvichienchai, Executive Director of LiCAS, said the goal of the event is to raise “awareness of and engagement with the Synod among youths.”

“Most importantly, it is an opportunity for all of us to practice synodality, especially the adults to show that we are really listening to these youths,” he said. 

Participants, aged 13 and older, were invited to tackle one of nine major issues identified during the continental stage of the Synod in Asia.

They worked to develop actionable solutions to these problems and presented their projects, by making a 4-minute pitch,  in hopes of securing a portion of a funding pool worth more than 10,000 Euros.

Sister Nina Krapic from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication said she was thrilled to see the young people not only discuss but also implement synodality.“I hope that from the hackathon you understand the importance of truly listening,” said Sr. Nina in her address to the children on the final pitching day. 

“And that listening may not be just part of the process, but also part of the solution too. You all have a special mission, a service in this world, and your mission is possible,” she added. 

The hackathon began with a series of workshops where mentors from various sectors, including a leadership coach and an Indigenous community leader, shared their knowledge and experiences. 

Dr. Santi Lapbenjakul, a mentor at the event, noted the potential of the participants. “I am so impressed with the questions from the children… I told them, come to me again in five to six years when you are a minister, we will talk again for sure.”
The first day focused on inspiring the students and equipping them with the necessary tools to turn their ideas into reality.

Fr. Paul Ekarat Homprathum, CECT Secretary General, guided the participants, contrasting ethical hacking with harmful hacking. 

He said people know about hackers who steal from them, “the black hat hackers, but there are also white hat hackers who help to make things better.” 

“Today we are wearing the white hat for a better society by practicing synodality and listening to those in need,” he said. 

The intense “hacking” phase took place on the second day, with students dedicating eight hours to refine their solutions, aided by coaches who helped them prepare their pitches. 

The hackathon saw students dive into their projects. Teams worked with pitching coaches on hand to refine their pitches.

The Saint Emilie School team, Ubon Rachathani, whose team consisted of children from as young as 13 years old, during their pitch on the final day of the hackathon addressed teenage pregnancies.

“We see the problems around us, around our friends and the problem we want to tackle is teenage pregnancies,” the team said.

The team from Saengthong Vitthaya School, Songkhlar, proposed turning corn husks into air filters to help those who cannot afford expensive air filters and hospital bills amid worsening air pollution.

“Instead of being the cause of air pollution, the corn husks can become the solution,” the team said. 

The event concluded with the final pitching session, where four pitches received funding to realize their projects. 

The organizers emphasized that this funding represents both a burden and a responsibility that has now been entrusted to the recipients, acknowledging that their voices have been heard.

Organizers said the hackathon not only provided a platform for students to demonstrate their potential to contribute meaningfully to societal issues but also apply synodality in practical ways.

Among the distinguished guests on the final day were Archbishop Anthony Weradet Chaiseri of the Archdiocese of Tha Rae, Sister Pensri Horae, Provincial Prioress of the Ursulines Provincialate of Thailand, and Sumitra Phongsathorn, the former principal of Mater Dei School.

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