Spirit in Education Movement

Spirit in Education Movement SEM "is an alternative college founded in 1995. It offers a spiritually based, ecologically sound, holistic alternative to mainstream education. Its philosophy is rooted in Buddhist wisdom and deep concern for ecological sustainability and social justice. The founders realise that the mainstream education in South East Asia is not in tune with the realities of the changing world. This is especially the case when related to the paradigm shift from mechanical world view to a more holistic one that is more inclusive and less Euro-centric, a way of thinking which has dominated the elites of these societies since the colonial times. So SEM has run many courses that promote the interaction between the alternative thinkers of the West and the best minded of Asia. Examples of these are:

• Bishop Labayan (culture and globalisation)
• Satish Kumar (spiritual ecology)
• Rajagopal & Varma (Ghandian Philosophy)
• Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon (deep ecology)
• George Lakey (community building and non-violent direct action)
• George Willoughby and Lillian Willoughby (conflict resolution)
• Stephen Batchelor and Martine Batchelor (contemporary Buddhism)
• David Loy (Buddhist Economics)
• Jakob van Uaxell

SEM is a sister organization of the Sathirakoses Nagaprateepa Foundation.

Directors (from 2007)

Accessed January 2009:

• Sulak Sivaraksa, Social Critic/ Thinker/Activist President
• Rajanee Thongchai, Educator/ Headmistress Vice-President
• Pipop Thangchai, Educator/activist Vice-president
• Duladilok Dulalampa, Banker Treasurer
• Jane Rasbash, 6 Administrator/NGO-consultant Co-director /international co-ordinator
• Pracha Hurtanuwatr, Educator/activist Director
• Wallapa Kunatiranon, Administrator Manager
• Surasee Kosolanavin, Public Prosecutor Legal Consultant
• Poonchawee Ruangwichathorn, Accountant/ NGO worker Secretary