The Faculty of Mass Communication, Chiang Mai University, hosted an international workshop “Thai Social Issues and Storytelling Media Training: Aging Communities in Chiang Mai” The program brought together students and faculty members from Faculty of Policy Studies, Aichi Gakuin University, Japan, and Faculty of Mass Communication, CMU. at its campus in Chiang Mai from 20 - 24 February 2026.
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The training aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding and practical skills in ethical media storytelling to reflect key Thai social issues, with a particular focus on aging communities in Chiang Mai. The program combined lectures, hands-on training, and field-based learning to encourage critical and socially responsible media practices.
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Activities included lectures by experts in social problems in Chiang Mai, aging societies, public policy, and communication for social change, as well as training sessions on interview techniques and ethical storytelling that emphasize respect for community dignity. Participants also conducted a field study at Tha Wang Tan Sarn Suk Elderly School in Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province, a semi-urban community known for its strong local networks and community-based elderly care initiatives.
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During the workshop, Thai and Japanese students worked collaboratively in mixed teams to produce short videos portraying the daily lives of older adults, local care systems, and the role of communities and policies in supporting an aging society. Japanese students additionally completed individual projects in the form of news articles, documentary photography, or policy reflections, with support from Thai students during fieldwork.
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The outcomes of the project extended beyond strengthening students’ communication skills, critical thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration. The workshop also fostered a shared international learning space and deepened understanding of aging-related social issues—one of the most pressing challenges facing both Thailand and Japan today.
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This initiative reflects the Faculty of Mass Communication’s role in connecting academic learning with real-world social contexts and advancing sustainable development through international academic collaboration.
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