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Amara Pongsapich

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
"The powerful should help those who are powerless."
Education

- B.A. (Anthropology) University of California , Davis , Calif. 1967
- M.A. (Anthropology) University of Washington , Seattle ,Wash. 1969
- Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Washington , Seattle ,Wash. 1974

Experience

- 2004- 2009 Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Chulalongkorn University.
- 1974 -2006 Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Political Science,Chulalongkorn University.
- 1976-1978 Secretary, Research Division, Chulalongkorn University.
- 1979-1986 Deputy Director, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI).
- 1987-1993 Director, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI).
- 1993-1996 Vice President for Research Affairs, Chulalongkorn University.
- 1997-2002 Director, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI).
- 2002-2008 Dean, Faculty of Political Science, Chualongkorn University.
- 2004-2009 Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Chulalongkorn University.
- 2004-2009 Director, Rotary Training Program on Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Training

                         Her research Focuses on growth and changing roles of civil society and social development at the local and international levels . Her publications included approximately 20 articles on disadvantaged groups, i.e., woman, children and youth, ethnic minority groups, and more than 30 articles on growth and changing role of civil society. She published two books titled: Culture, Religion, and Ethnicity: Anthropological Analysis of Thai Society and Cultural Diversity :Paradigm Shift and Role of Civil Society.

Reward

- 1986-present Founding and Board Member: Thai Volunteer Service Foundation.
- 1986-present Founding and Board Member: Qualitative Research Association of Thailand.
- 1989-1991 Board Member: National Commission on Women’s Affairs.
- 1989-1992 Chairperson: Subcommittee on the Development of Women’s Information System.
- 1990-1996 Board Member: UN International Research and Training, Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW).
- 1990-present Board Member: Foundation for Women (Thailand).
- 1993 Received a royal decoration titled Officier dans l”Ordre des Palmes Academiques from the French Government
- 1993-2001 Member: Expert Committee to Evaluate Environmental Impact Assessment Reports for Infrastructure Projects, Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, Ministry of Science and Technology.
- 1993-2004 Founding member and President: Thaicraft Association, Thailand.
- 1994-1995 Senior Panel Member: International Panel of Japan’s Aid Policy, Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan.
- 1996-1997 Social Science Member, Site Selection Committee: Model Catchment Selection for the Management of Soil Erosion Consortium (MSEC). International Board of Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM).
- 1997 NCWA Award for Women in Development (Academic Section).
- 1998-2002 Member: National Commission on Social Welfare, Thailand.
- 2000-2009 Member, Subcommittee on Academic Affairs, Sirinthorn Anthropological Center
- 2000-2009 Member, Subcommittee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.
- 2001-2002 Member: Sub-Committee on Social Safety Nets Coordination, National Economic and Social Development Board, Thailand.
- 2001-2002 Member: Measurement Working Group and Revision Working Group, Global Reporting Initiative, Interim Secretariat, Boston, Massachusettes.
- 2001-2002 and 2003-2006 Member, Chulalongkorn University Council
- 2001-2008 Member: Research Committee, National Commission on Cultural Affairs, Thailand.
- 2002-2003 Member: Advisory Panel on ESCAP/UDP Initiative to Support the Achievement  of the Millennium Development Goals.
- 2002-2003 Member: Steering Committee on Understanding Reform, Global Development Network, Washington D.C.
- 2005-2007 Chair, Subcommittee on Consumer Rights, Thai National Telecommunication Commission
- 2006 Angela Award, Ursuline Alumnae Association.
- 2006-2009 Thailand Research Fund Monitoring Board.
- 2006-present Founding Member: WeMove (Women’s Movement in the Thai Political Reform)
- 2006-present Founding Member, Friends of Tribal People Foundation

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