As the year rolls into its second quarter we can begin to reflect on progress achieved, whilst looking forward to the exciting events yet to unfold in 2024. March marked another journey around the sun for INEB's beloved talisman Sulak Sivaraksa, the INEB Institute livestreamed a discussion from the Kamalun Mosque, and Thailand took a step closer to legalizing same sex marriage. The 8th March was International Women's Day. Coming up in April, this year's International Young Bodhisattva Program application is launched, the online Ambedkar Intellectual Summit 2024 takes place and the Zen Peacemakers event ‘Bearing Witness to Racism in America’. In April we'll celebrate Songkran, the traditional Thai new year festival (April 12-16th)
With mettā,
INEB Communications Team
Our Recent Engagements
Nine Decades and Counting
Ajarn Sulak Sivaraksa celebrated his 91st birthday on 27th March and enjoyed a peaceful reflection with friends at his residence in Bangkok.
INEB gathered with all the partner organizations in the Networks for Peace community and celebrated nearly five years of the project! From conception to implementation, it’s been an incredible journey of resilience, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to building a brighter, peaceful future for all.
It has long been our desire to create a bearing witness retreat around America’s racial history – as seen through the eyes of African Americans. The intention has always been to engage without becoming a tourist; to seek unity without ‘othering’ those with whom we Bear Witness.
This year we plan on walking the grounds of a deep history in the expansion of slavery, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights movement – Selma and Montgomery.
Thailand Takes a Historic Step Closer to Legalizing
Same-Sex Marriage
The lower house of Thailand’s parliament, the House of Representatives, today passed a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriages. Thai politicians voted overwhelmingly in favor, with 400 representatives supporting the legislation, and only 10 members opposing. Five members did not vote after a four-hour debate.
The bill now needs to be approved by the Senate, followed by formal endorsement from the Thai king, before the law can become reality in Thailand—a process that could still take some months to realize, although it is expected to completed before the end of this year. If successful, Thailand would become the third nation in Asia to recognize marriage equality, and the first in Southeast Asia.
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