Bangkok--1 Oct--Plan Asia Regional Plan International, the child-centred development organisation which operates in more than 60 countries, will launch a new campaign aimed at ending violence in schools, called “Learn Without Fear.” The launch will take place on October 7 at four regional locations: Bangkok, Nairobi, Dakar and Panama. Plan’s vision for this campaign is to ensure that children all over the world feel safe while attending school and that they can expect a quality learning experience without the fear or threat of violence.Initially, the campaign will focus on three of the most common and damaging forms of violence in schools: sexual violence, bullying and corporal punishment. The launch in Bangkok will take place on October 7 at 2pm at the Windsor Suite Hotel, located on Soi 20, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok. Plan CEO, Tom Miller, will be at the event to present key findings from Plan’s research into violence in schools to be launched on the same day. At the launch, you can sign the petition and get your photo taken at a photo booth, if you wish, to show your support for the campaign. The booth will travel to approximately 34 locations throughout Thailand. The goal is to get 50,000 signatures and present them to the Thai government to lobby for law enforcement. On behalf of Plan, we wish to invite you to be part of this important occasion. Your presence will greatly contribute to the success of the campaign. 1200 hrs. - Media lunch interview with the CEO1400 hrs. - Event registration1430 hrs. - Guest of honour arrives (Representative from Thailand’s Ministry of Education)1435 hrs. - Opening speech, The guest of honour1445 hrs. Why Learn Without Fear? A global and regional overview of the issue of violence in Schools and Plan’s position, Tom Miller, Plan International’s CEO1500 hrs. - Presentation of key findings from Violence against children in schools: Overview of situation in Thailand, Minty Pande, Country Director, Plan International in Thailand1510 hrs. - Violence in schools from the youths’ perspective, Mr.Sirapob Wattanabarameekul, Grade 12 student from Wat Khemapirataram school, Thailand Ms.Thanchanok Chomrit, Grade 10 student from Wat Khemapirataram school, Thailand1520 hrs. The guest of honour, Plan CEO, Plan in Asia’s Regional Director, Plan International in Thailand’s Country Director, and youth representatives press the Learn Without Fear button1530 hrs. - The CEO escorts the guest of honour to the exhibition1545 hrs. - The guest of honour departs the event1535 hrs. - Violence in schools — celebrities’ experiences Thai celebrities sharing their personal experiences and opinions The celebrities press the Learn Without Fear button1550 hrs. - End violence in Schools: Homework for all Panel discussion: - A journalist covering education or human rights issues - Mr Vitit Muntarbhorn, Professor of Law at Chulalongkorn University, winner of the UNESCO prize for Human Rights Education - Dr. Suriyadel Tripatri, Children’s Hospital - Randeep Kaur, Learning Advisor, Plan India - Duong Phuc Toan, youth representative from Vietnam Moderator: Varin Sajdel — news presenter from Channel 111635 hrs. - Closing remark Myrna Evora, Regional Director, Plan in Asia Please RSVP to emma.miall@plan-international.org or phone +66 22042630-4 by this Friday, 3 October. For more information please contact Warisara Sornpet, Regional Communications Manager, at warisara.sornpet@plan-international.org or on mobile +66 89893 6106.