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Internal Workshop
Unleashing Creativity: Diving into Inspiration in Bangkok

Nurul (the author of this article; wearing a hijab) among 10 talented staff from 6 countries in FNF Southeast and South Asia—a valuable moment full of inspiration and collaboration.

Nurul (the author of this article; wearing a hijab) among 10 talented staff from 6 countries in FNF Southeast and South Asia—a valuable moment full of inspiration and collaboration.

Amid the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok, with its rich culture and bustling views, I had the chance to attend a writing workshop that reignited my passion for writing. As a Technical Officer at FNF Jakarta, my days are often filled with drafting meeting minutes, handling official correspondence, and preparing various documents. However, this workshop provided a refreshing break from routine and infused me with a surge of creativity and inspiration.

Day 1 – Tuesday, July 23, 2024: Arrival and Welcome Dinner

The participants, hailing from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and South Korea, arrived in Bangkok on July 23rd and checked into the hotel prepared for us. The day was specifically dedicated for rest and mingling during a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant, where we had the opportunity to get acquainted with one another.

Day 2 – Wednesday, July 24, 2024: Opening Session

The writing workshop officially commenced with 11 participants—7 from regional offices and 4 from outside Bangkok—at 9 AM local time. Most participants could be considered "newcomers", as we only joined the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) for less than a year. Thekla Ebbert welcomed us with an overview of the foundation’s vision, mission, and organizational structure. The morning session continued with an engaging "Speed Dating" activity, where participants were given just 5 minutes to converse on various topics before rotating to meet the next person, ensuring that everyone had the chance to connect.

News Definition: Diverse Perspectives

Our facilitator, Khun Sinfah Tunsarawuth, led a session on the importance of staying updated with news and understanding how it is consumed by the public today. Khun Sinfah, a seasoned multimedia entrepreneur with decades of experience in journalism, was surprised to find that I still rely on newspapers for information. While he, himself, also still subscribes to newspapers, he mostly reads them digitally, not physically. Fortunately, at FNF Jakarta, we still receive two newspapers daily—one in Indonesian and one in English.

Khun Sinfah also emphasized that freedom of the press is a crucial indicator of social environments, as news acts as a “watchdog” in our society. In the session, we also had the opportunity to express our political opinions regarding an increasingly polarized and individualistic world issues, highlighting that the definition of news is ultimately subjective, shaped by the relevance to each individual.

Khun Sinfah Tunsarawuth (in a suit) guiding the writing workshop

Khun Sinfah Tunsarawuth (in a suit) guiding the writing workshop.

At 5 PM, the first day of the writing workshop finally concluded. Afterwards, we visited the FNF Regional Office, which was just a 10-minute walk away from the conference room. The visit was memorable, with the staff warmly showing us around their dynamic workspace, while also reinforcing the foundation’s vision and mission as a liberal entity.

Day 3 – Thursday, July 25, 2024: Exploring Liberalism and Writing Exercises

The next day, we participated in several writing activities led by Felix Jantz, the Regional Program Manager for Southeast and East Asia. The session focused on exploring the concept of liberalism and reflecting on our personal perspectives. This was particularly engaging as we were asked to literally "choose where we stand" on the theme, "Liberalism: Where do you 'stand'." We took part in interactive activities, such as answering thought-provoking questions like “Should religion and state laws be separated?” and “Should the state regulate personal affairs to a very personal extent?”. These questions encouraged us to think critically and consider our positions on important issues related to liberalism.

Day 4 – Friday, July 26, 2024: Departure

The two-day workshop concluded successfully. Despite the short duration, warm relationships were formed amongst participants. Before parting ways, we exchanged social media contacts and promised to stay in touch. Leaving Bangkok, we carried with us new skills, fresh knowledge, and valuable networks for future opportunities.