Mon Heritage at Culalongkorn Uni

Welcome Speech by
the President of Chulalongkorn University
at the International Seminars on

(Discovery of Ramanya Desa: History, Identity, Culture,
Language and the Performing Arts)
at the Institute of Asian Studies
Mahitalathibes Building and Chulalongkorn University Auditorium
October 10-13, 2007

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Chulalongkorn University has placed significant emphasis on the study and understanding of Thai society and the international community in the region. It is crucial to recognize that as an institution of higher learning it functions as more than merely a gathering place of human resources and bodies of knowledge. The university, in essence, performs its functions as a system of transmitting such knowledge by providing teaching and learning activities on a continuing basis. Indeed, Chulalongkorn University's main mission is to play the role of intellectual leader at both the national and international levels by providing new venues of knowledge that might have previously been ignored in academic activities, specifically in the organizing of academic seminars.

The seminar on "Discovery of Ramanya Desa : History, Identity, Culture, Language and Performing Arts" is considered to be historic since it marks the first time that an institute of tertiary education has pioneered in the perception and academic understanding of the Mon – an ethnic group with one of Southeast Asia's oldest civilizations. This endeavor has succeeded in bringing together scholars from outside the Southeast Asian region to present their research findings at the same venue as regional academics from Thailand and Myanmar.

We can certainly anticipate that the knowledge that can be gleaned from this conference will certainly not be limited solely to the Mon. Exploring in depth the long and significant history and background of this ethnic group will also shed light on the Southeast Asian community and civilization as a whole. It is recognized that the evolution of ethno-linguistic communities and cultures in this region arose as a result of long processes of integration and diverse forms of commingling, thus shaping unique cultural identities. Indeed, what has come to be recognized as "Thainess" is essentially a product of the integration and adaptation of rich ethnic diversity in the social and cultural dimensions, including the Mon culture. Mon Studies can thus serve as an avenue by which an understanding of what it means to be in Thai, or which could also translate to what it means to be "Burmese," "Cambodian" as such, could be reached.

A conference such as this can be seen to serve the purpose of opening up the existing dimensions on of area studies that transcends that of the "nation state" or "country" that was previously defined in a limited framework. We see how in such a diverse and dynamic region like Southeast Asia, comprising ten different countries and numerous ethnic groups, the discourse on nation, identity and culture can assume rich and nuanced dimensions. These varied cultures and unique communities have been recognized and embraced as integral sectors of Southeast Asian nation-states. It is unfortunate, however, that these peoples have never been accorded the proper venue for academic exchange and understanding notably in their own roles or contribution to defining and building the idea and ideals of "nationhood" and "common humanity."

This academic conference is therefore a watershed in bringing forth the educational dimension that transcends the borders of mere "nation-states" to the arena of "humanity" beyond the delineations of political boundaries.

Finally, I would also like to add that this conference has been organized as part of the celebrations of the ninth decade of the establishment of Chulalongkorn University and on behalf of all members of the Chula community, faculty and staff, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests who are attending this conference at our university. It is my hope that the objectives of this conference as set forth by the organizers will be achieved, that the Mon, as with other ethnic and indigenous communities will begin to at last take their rightful place in the continuing process of defining – and enriching – Thai society and the ideal of a Thai national community.

Thank you.