Faik, a second-year Political Science student in the Faculty of Humanities at Yala Rajabhat University, began his journey as a young person interested in peacebuilding and youth participation. This started through his work with Fa Sai Association, which promotes the well-being of children and youth in Thailand's southern border provinces. Faik then joined the Insider Peacebuilders Platform Youth (IPP Youth) project, which focuses on empowering youth in the Southern Border Provinces to promote the peace process. This project is part of Save the Children's SENANG project, supported by the European Union, which encourages children and youth to participate in peacebuilding through art and culture, and promotes children's understanding of diversity and peaceful coexistence through artistic creation.

Participating in this project helped Faik learns about the history of conflict and the peace process in the southern border areas. When he had the opportunity to attend a meeting with the Ad Hoc Committee to Consider and Propose Guidelines for Promoting the Peace Process to Resolve Conflict in the Three Southern Border Provinces, Faik was appointed as an advisor to the committee as a youth representative. This came with the challenge of ensuring the youth's voice held weight among the adult committee members. The SENANG project played a crucial role in supporting his continuous participation in meetings and development of peace-related ideas.

How did Faik get to know IPP Youth, and why did you decide to join the project?

"I actually knew about IPP Youth for a long time because they also had an adult IPP. I knew it was 'some kind of secret circle' because I was with the Fa Sai Association, which promotes the well-being of children and youth in the southern border provinces. And the association's president, Mariam, was one of the adult IPP members. I saw her attending meetings. Plus, a friend of mine worked as an officer at the Peace Reconciliation Foundation (PRC), which oversees the IPP circle. So, when they opened applications for IPP Youth, they invited me to apply, and I got to join their training."

"Initially, I was a bit excited because I first joined IPP Youth and went for training on the peace process, the history of the conflict, and the background of our region. Before this, I was already working in this field with the Fa Sai Association, but I didn't have deep enough knowledge about our area. After joining IPP Youth, Professor Yong (Chumsak Nararatwong) came to share knowledge, and Ustaz (Professor) Hasan taught about history. There were also conflict management tools and examples of conflicts from other countries. It gradually shaped me. And during that time, the trend of youth participation in the peace process was growing. When there was an adult IPP circle, they would send youth representatives to join as well."

Can you tell us about how you became a youth advisor to the committee?

"The starting point was that I had been through IPP Youth training for a while. The committee came down to hear opinions in Pattani, and on that day, they invited youth representatives to share their views. There were representatives from Fa Sai Association, IPP Youth, Luk Riang group, and Thai Buddhist youth. We went to give our opinions. We prepared information to present in our own style. We spoke honestly about what we felt, what we encountered, and what we heard. We also had documents to submit. Additionally, the committee chairman, Chaturon Chaisang, was interested in involving youth to ensure their voices were heard because, at that time, all the committee members were adults – MPs, political party representatives, civil society organizations, and so on. The chairman then said he would appoint me as an advisor to the committee as a youth representative. And my friends from civil society who were also on the committee knew me, so they helped push for it. It took about one or two months for the paperwork and for the committee's resolution to be finalized, and then the document came out stating that I had been appointed as an advisor."

"But it's a shame, we understand the mechanism of the parliament, right? The committee members get travel expenses and allowances, but as a student, I didn't get any travel expenses, allowances, or anything. I went based on my own strength and ability, and I didn't receive support from any political party. But I felt good that I was going as an independent voice, not affiliated with any side."

What were the challenges of being a youth representative in the committee meetings?

"I remember when I attended the first meeting, I went alone, but I met civil society friends there. In front of the meeting room, everyone was an MP, everyone held a position. I was just a small person in a suit. I was excited and my heart pounded.

The first time I went in, I didn't say anything; they just introduced me as a youth representative, that was it. In subsequent meetings, every time I went, I had the opportunity to join the sub-committee on participation. This meant attending meetings on the same day but at different times, like the sub-committee meeting in the morning and the main committee meeting in the afternoon. So I had the chance to attend both. I set a goal for myself that at the very least, I had to have something to say every time I went, because I didn't go that often. The overarching challenge was that I was just one youth voice against over 30 adult committee members. How could I make my voice heard? How could what I said be included in the committee's report? This was a major challenge for me."

How did you feel about being appointed as a youth representative advisor to the committee?

"Actually, at first, I felt like I was just a 'decoration piece.' Maybe I looked old too; sometimes I blended in with the adults, making it seem like I wasn't youth. Then there was the name tag that said 'Advisor to the Committee' and my name, and I started questioning if youth were just 'decoration pieces' they could claim, saying, 'My committee has youth; I value youth.' Sometimes these questions arose. But after having the opportunity to express my opinions frequently, I felt, 'Hey, our voice is important.' Because one committee member told me to just propose whatever I was thinking, meaning, whatever ideas youth had, they should propose them because youth ideas aren't tied to anyone's power or benefits, and they aren't harmful to youth. It was as if he was saying youth are innocent. So I felt that the youth voice is important, and every time, it proved to be true."

What did you learn from working as an advisor to the committee?

"Firstly, what I gained most quickly was social skills. I learned how to conduct myself with adults who hold policy-making and legislative roles in the country. Secondly, because I was neutral and didn't lean towards any side, I had to use extensive analysis and understanding to determine the accuracy of what people said, especially since they were representing a particular party. Another thing I gained was communication. Every time I was about to speak or present something, I would write it down, then organize it to ensure the adults understood what I wanted to convey. I also had to speak persuasively. So I would write it out and then recite a du'a (meaning prayer or blessing). I admit, sometimes I got nervous. I would consult with the civil society friends who were also on the committee, asking if my presentation was okay. When it was my turn, I would raise my hand as I had prepared."

Do you think adults value the voices of youth?

"I think adults value youth, especially the committee chairman. Every time I presented, he would listen intently, focusing on my face until I finished speaking. Sometimes, when I wanted to speak, I had to raise my hand, and the other committee members would help point me out, saying, 'Chairman, the youth will propose something.' They helped push for me to speak. I believe it depends on what we say, not whether they will value us. In reality, adults do value us; it's more about what we present."

How has the SENANG project supported youth?

"If there was no SENANG, there would be no me. Because as an advisor, they don't provide money or travel expenses. It's the SENANG project. First, I gained knowledge from the SENANG project. We had to review and learn about the peace process again, which made me understand more. So I think it was good that I joined IPP Youth before becoming an advisor to the committee. Because if I had become an advisor first, without my knowledge being 100%, I would have been really lost because I wouldn't know what to do. So I think it was good that I joined SENANG first, then IPP Youth, and then became an advisor. As an advisor, they also supported my travel expenses for meetings. Every time there's a meeting, I have to summarize the report of what was discussed and what I proposed, and send it back to SENANG."

"If peace hasn't happened, I don't think I've succeeded yet. This is the big picture. If things continue like this, we must keep striving until ultimately, success means achieving peace, because everyone is doing their part to bring about peace."

What would you like to say to Save the Children and projects that support youth?

"I want to tell Save the Children, I want to tell the SENANG project and Save the Children worldwide, don't stop doing this. We are an outcome of yours, and we feel there are many more people who also want to be an outcome of yours. Our youth are not waiting slowly by. We don't just want things to magically appear. I received opportunities to enhance my potential, knowledge, and abilities. When I took on another position, I also received financial support because I didn't have travel expenses or anything. They also took care of us. So, I want to tell Save the Children not to stop their support."

What would you like to say to other young people who want to participate in the peace process?

"Do what you feel contributes to peace, and that's enough. Because everyone has different aptitudes, knowledge, and abilities. You're good at this, you're good at that, but everyone plays a part as a jigsaw piece in bringing about peace."