Songkhla Nakarin news

Prince of Songkla University (PSU) hosted “The 3rd PSU International Volunteer Forum: Youth Volunteer Forum 2026 – The Power of Youth Volunteer in Crisis Relief” on September 12, 2026, at PSU Hat Yai Campus. Held in a hybrid format with both on-site and online participation, the forum brought together more than 1,000 young people and volunteer network members from several countries to exchange knowledge and experiences in volunteering during times of crisis and to strengthen international cooperation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirote Youravong, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations, said the world is facing increasingly diverse challenges, ranging from natural disasters to human-induced crises. In this context, volunteers play an important role in crisis prevention, response, and recovery. He emphasized that meaningful change requires cooperation at every level—from individuals and communities to organizations and international networks.

For nearly six decades, Prince of Songkla University has maintained a strong commitment to community service and volunteerism, guided by the principle of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla: “Let consideration of personal gain take second place, and the overall benefit of mankind come first.” Building on this principle, the forum provided young people with opportunities to share experiences and perspectives on disaster management, educational inequality, and peacebuilding. It also aimed to inspire greater youth participation in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Kitti Intharakul, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, who presided over the opening ceremony, highlighted the important contribution of volunteers to social welfare, including prevention, assistance, rehabilitation, recovery, and development. He noted that children and young people are an important resource for the country and that educational institutions have a key role in nurturing social responsibility, a spirit of volunteerism, and the qualities needed to become responsible global citizens.

The participation of more than 1,000 people from different countries also reflected the strength of international volunteer networks. The forum was particularly timely as 2026 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), recognizing the contribution of volunteers to advancing the SDGs amid increasingly complex global challenges.

The forum featured special lectures, panel discussions, experience-sharing sessions, hands-on skills training, and presentations on volunteer efforts during flooding in Hat Yai. These activities provided opportunities to share good practices and knowledge in volunteer management while strengthening cooperation among educational institutions, international organizations, and civil society.

In his closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narit Duangsuwan, Director of the PSU Volunteer Center, said the forum demonstrated the potential of young people to connect communities and contribute to sustainable development. He added that the gathering encouraged knowledge exchange and closer cooperation among international volunteer networks, helping translate collaboration into practical responses to global challenges across the five dimensions of sustainable development: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace, and Partnership. The forum was held under the theme “Every Contribution Matters,” emphasizing that every act of service, regardless of its scale, can contribute to meaningful change.

The event was organized with the support and cooperation of the National Committee on Social Welfare Promotion under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), UNICEF Thailand, and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Thailand. Through this collaboration, the forum provided a platform for young people to learn, build connections, and strengthen volunteer networks from the local to the international level—contributing to collective action toward a more sustainable future.