The Education for Justice (E4J)

 

        The Education for Justice (E4J) Initiative in Thailand at a university level has been already launched at Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University by integrating E4J Firearms Module into its courses, especially in an undergraduate class on Criminology during the first semester in August 2019. In addition, at the postgraduate study seminar series entitled ‘Specific Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice’ E4J became the topic of discussion by using various sets of document and material of E4J Firearms Module from UNODC website as the seminar handout. At the same session, the academic in the Postgraduate Program of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Chulalongkorn University also conducted and presented the case study on offences and situation on firearms in Thailand. The main objective of doing such case study was to provide young generations with knowledge of laws and penalties as well as potential consequences for being involved with firearms, particularly when carrying and using guns in committing crimes. Its highlight included the interviews with long-term prisoners behind bars who had been getting into fights and finally using firearms as an immediate solution.

 

        Concerning academic research, as it is argued that crime and violence problems in Thai society are normally linked to firearms, the Postgraduate Program at Chulalongkorn University has therefore encouraged both Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree students to conduct their dissertations and theses on topics regarding firearms, illegal firearms business and firearms control to come up with national policy suggestion to address firearms problems in Thai society. Besides, such research can be also used as the supporting material in the study classes.

 

        Apart from firearms issue, the Postgraduate Program of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Chulalongkorn University also has a plan to embrace other topics to its curricula, such as crime prevention, transnational organized crime, cybercrime, terrorism prevention, and corruption prevention, etc. by using basic information and material from E4J initiative. At the same time, there is an attempt to adjust the case study for doing research in Thailand with the intention of instilling recognition of dangers and effects of such crimes into children and teenagers, as well as to work together on finding possible prevention and control.

 

     Another crucial step to proceed is to develop and educate university academics and lecturers in criminology, criminal justice, law, political science, public administration and social sciences to include modules of E4J initiatives of UNODC, either in parts or in entirety, to their teaching curricula together with case studies and research as a supplement for expanding further investigations afterwards. Additionally, there will be mutual cooperation between the Postgraduate Program of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Chulalongkorn University and E4J Firearms Modules Project to run similar courses in other universities in ASEAN countries. The ultimate goal of all above-mentioned actions is to provide young generations with greater acknowledgement of dangers of crimes in various types that can occur to or involve with young persons. It is crucial for them to be able to avoid, prevent and be away from such crimes in the future.