Publication

Dream Constitution Initiative

The Dream Constitution Initiative is a year-round project launched collaboratively by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thailand Institute of Justice, ThaiPBS (The Active), 101 PUB, HAND Social Enterprises, and the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University. The initiative aims to encourage meaningful conversations about the constitution, to gather ideas and recommendations about the constitution for all through the inclusive dialogue processes. 
The target groups include youth and prisoners. Youth involvement in the constitution-making processes is to ensure that the constitution responds to the needs of youth including the society they dream of. Moreover, such contributions help ensure that fresh perspectives are incorporated in the social contract. 
Meanwhile for the prisoners, they are engaged based on the idea of the constitution-based dialogue ensuring the inclusion of marginalised voices. The Dream Constitution Initiative attempts to approach incarcerated individuals differently by following human rights principles. The initiative particularly targets the prisoners in the pre-release programme, this is particularly important for them to learn about the constitution and the fundamental rule on which the society is built. This is an important element in the rehabilitation and transition from prison back into the community.
All dialogues under this initiative collected and uploaded to a database. This database will act as a foundational resource for future dialogue, enabling lawmakers or even constitutional drafters to better understand and integrate the needs of the rising generation and prisoners preparing for reintegration.

This report by Dr. Wasin Punthong summarises The Dream Constitution Initiative over the past year.