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Thailand Timeout - Saturday, December 18, 2004
The Vienna-based International Peace Foundation chose Thailand as host country for its event series Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace - an initiative born on the UN's somewhat optimistic "decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence".
The first series of "Bridges", held between November 2003 and May 2004, involved over 100 events and included 10 Nobel Laureates, including keynote speakers like Jesse Jackson and such artistes as opera diva Jessye Norman. The second series, starting this month and lasting until April, is on an even grander scale - with over 150 events planned (in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Khorat and Songkla as well as Bangkok) and the participation of 18 additional Nobel Laureates confirmed.
This time, the emphasis is more focussed on Science and economics as bridges to global amity. However, with keynote speakers including the likes of Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali (former UN secretary general), Dr Hans Blix (former UN weapons inspector in Iraq) and Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximines Belo of East Timor, the lecture and seminar programme also promises much of interest to non-specialists. Related cultural events include a gig at CM2 by Marusha Gleiss, probably the world's best-known female DJ, on 16 February. For the full programme online, and contact details for tickets, see www.peace-fondation.net or call 0 2636 7764.
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