By Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, Thailand
THAILAND has launched its first-ever “National Listening Month,” a new initiative welcomed by the Catholic Education Council of Thailand (CECT) and aimed at fostering empathy and active listening within the country’s Catholic schools.
The month-long campaign is seen as a significant step toward strengthening connections within Thai society, where feelings of division and isolation are on the rise.
“We are overjoyed that our nation is dedicating November each year to the ‘National Listening Month’ initiative. This campaign will undoubtedly foster a culture of empathy and active listening within our Catholic schools, aligning perfectly with Pope Francis’s inspiring vision of synodality,” said Fr. Paul Ekarat Homprathum, Secretary-General of CECT.
The initiative, organized by Thailand’s Volunteer and Happiness Bank in partnership with networks promoting intellectual well-being, underscores the role of listening in building meaningful relationships.
According to a campaign representative, “This year marks the inaugural declaration of November as ‘National Listening Month.’ We invite everyone to become ‘Listenians’—individuals who embrace the three essential elements of listening: being fully present with those around us, mindful of our own thoughts, and attuned to the feelings of others.”
With CECT overseeing more than 300 schools and over 500,000 students, mostly non-Catholic, this initiative extends beyond religious boundaries. The CECT views it as a valuable opportunity to strengthen the Church’s mission of building a more engaged, inclusive community.
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