PDP: People Center for Development and Peace

The PDP-Center, established in 2004 by the former president of Khmer Youth Association, has demonstrated consistent and significant achievements in promoting youth participation in civic engagement, human rights, democracy, and anti-corruption efforts over the past 15 years. Notably, they successfully collected over one million signatures from individuals to influence the government to pass the anti-corruption law in 2010.

The organization focuses on three strategic areas: good governance and democracy, natural resources and health risks, with a particular emphasis on addressing alcohol-related issues. Their current program areas include alcohol policy advocacy, providing training on human rights and democracy to youth, empowering young women entrepreneurs to participate in socio-economic decision-making, supporting forestry communities, and assisting small-scale land-owning families in registering their lands. The target group of the PDP-Center encompasses the general population, with a specific focus on youth, women, commune counselors, parliamentarians, and decision-makers at the ministries.

IOGT-NTO Movement is partnering with PDP on a 5- year project on ”Alcohol Policy Advocacy” which aims to mitigate the harms of alcohol and its negative impact on communities, while promoting improved living conditions, gender equality, and public health among the Cambodian population, with a particular focus on protecting youth and women. The PDP-Center plans to enhance advocacy capacity within communities, engaging youth and women in discussions on advocacy, leadership, and the consequences of alcohol in their lives. The work towards persuading commune/Sangkat counselors to adopt a protective measure on safeguarding women and children from alcohol-related harm and protect their rights.

Overall, the PDP-Center’s efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to address societal challenges, empower marginalized groups, and promote positive change in Cambodia.

PFHA: People’s Family Health Association

The (PFHA) People’s Family Health Association is a Non-Profit Association that was established in 2012 with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA). It is registered to operate throughout Laos and is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people. PFHA aims to provide innovative and up-to-date reproductive health (RH) information and high-quality services, with the goal of creating a healthy and happy society and contributing to the development of Laos, ultimately helping the country move out of the least developed nation status.

In pursuit of its objectives, PFHA has partnered with the IOGT-NTO Movement in a project focused on health promotion and rights protection from alcohol and drugs related harm. The overarching goal of this project is to minimize the negative impact of alcoholic beverages in eight communities in Laos. The project aims to strengthen these communities and reduce the harmful effects of alcohol. It not only addresses the specific needs of the community but also aligns with the province’s community development plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through this collaborative effort, PFHA and the IOGT-NTO Movement are working together to create healthier and more resilient communities, while also contributing to the broader development goals of Laos.

RTCCD: The Research and Training Centre for Community Development

The Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) was established in 1998 as an independent non-profit organization. Its primary objectives are to provide trainings, conduct health research, implement intervention community models, and advocate for health policies. RTCCD focuses on several key areas, including mental health, social work, maternal and child health, nutrition, and supplementation. Over the past 22 years, RTCCD, with its team of leading health experts, has made significant contributions to the development of public health policies and the empowerment of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Vietnam. RTCCD is the founder and coordinating organization of two health policy advocacy alliances, namely the Evidence-Based Health Policy Development (EBHPD) and Non-Communicable Diseases in Vietnam (NCDs-VN). Additionally, RTCCD serves as a technical advisor for health policy reviews conducted by the Communist Party, National Assembly, and Government.

The IOGT-NTO Movement is collaborating with RTCCD on a 5-year project titled ”Empowering Community to Prevent Alcohol-Related Harms” in Vietnam. The main focus of this project is to raise awareness about the harms associated with alcohol consumption and to empower communities to take necessary measures for alcohol prevention and address violations of rights. Concurrently, efforts are being made to adopt an amended excise tax law that aligns with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is robust enough to effectively reduce alcohol consumption.

Through this partnership, RTCCD and the IOGT-NTO Movement aim to create a community that is well-informed about alcohol-related harms and equipped to prevent them. Furthermore, they seek to contribute to the development of policies that promote public health and reduce alcohol-related issues in Vietnam.

RTF: Raks Thai Foundation

The Raks Thai Foundation (RTF) is dedicated to building a civil society where individuals can enjoy a high quality of life, exercise their rights, and experience equality. RTF’s primary goal is to empower women and girls, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, age, faith, or socio-economic background. All of RTF’s programs and operations are focused on promoting the empowerment of women and girls.

RTF carries out its operations through 18 field offices located across all regions of Thailand. Additionally, RTF collaborates with governmental, local, and international organizations to advance gender equality. These partnerships are instrumental in promoting RTF’s mission and objectives.

The IOGT-NTO Movement has joined forces with RTF in a 5-year project titled ”Eliminating gender-based violence under the influence of alcohol and drugs.” The overarching objective of this project is to strengthen community-led mechanisms to address gender-based violence and reduce the occurrence and severity of such violence when influenced by alcohol or other drugs. The project specifically focuses on the communities in Chonburi, Nan, and Pattani, Thailand.

Through this partnership, RTF and the IOGT-NTO Movement are working together to enhance community-led efforts in combating gender-based violence and creating safer environments. The project aims to empower individuals and communities to take action against gender-based violence, particularly when it is exacerbated by the influence of alcohol or drugs.

TCEF: The Thai Community Empowerment Foundation 

The TCEF (Target Community Education Foundation) is a Civil Society Organization that brings together social developers, community organizations, and government officers. Its primary aim is to foster a strong community and empower the new generation of youth to be safe from alcohol and drug-related harm, while promoting perspectives on rights and equality.

When TCEF was founded, its main objective was to support the civil society network in addressing drug issues through a community-based approach known as Community-based Drug and Alcohol Control. However, in 2014, TCEF underwent a significant adjustment by including youth as the target group. This decision was based on the belief that empowering and capacity-building the new generation would result in active citizens who not only work on alcohol and drug-related issues but also contribute to other development matters, respect the rights of others, and confidently voice their opinions.

TCEF focuses its strategic efforts on the development and empowerment of the new generation. This includes working towards changing the mindset of youth regarding alcohol and drugs, as well as addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and environmental concerns. The IOGT-NTO Movement collaborates with TCEF on a 5-year project titled ”Empowering Youth to Drive Alcohol Prevention and Sustainable Social Development.” The overall goal of this project is to create a democratic society where people enjoy a good quality of life and are safe from alcohol and drug-related harm. The main objective is to equip the new generation of youth with the capacity to build a strong civil society, actively participate in driving equal development, respect rights, and ensure people’s safety from the detrimental effects of alcohol, including related rights violations.

TCEF and the IOGT-NTO Movement are working together to empower youth, promote alcohol prevention, and contribute to sustainable social development. The project envisions a society where rights are respected, people are safe from alcohol-related harm, and the new generation plays a pivotal role in building a strong and equal civil society.

SL ADIC: Alcohol and Drug Information Centre

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) in Sri Lanka is a Non-Governmental Organization that focuses on reducing the demand for alcohol and advocating for effective policy formulation. Its primary objective is to empower communities by raising awareness about alcohol as a hindrance to development and protecting individual rights. With a rich history spanning over three decades, ADIC emphasizes the importance of preventing alcohol use through social change and comprehensive education.

ADIC provides services to various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and the general public. It serves as a knowledge hub, offering accessible data and statistics on alcohol use and its impact on development within the country. This information is readily available to interested organizations and individuals.

The strategic areas of focus for ADIC include strengthening local communities and establishing networks with relevant structures to minimize alcohol-related problems. ADIC also aims to develop, adopt, and enforce evidence-based alcohol control policies, enhance knowledge about alcohol as an obstacle to development, and implement methods to mitigate these issues. Additionally, ADIC monitors and counters marketing strategies employed by the alcohol industry.

ADIC’s current program areas encompass capacity building programs, community camps, community-based and social media campaigns, social media competitions, development of manuals, tools, and materials, lobbying activities, community mobilization for policy implementation, action research, and studies and surveys related to alcohol use and its impact on the country’s development.

The main target groups of ADIC’s activities include youth, children, women, alcohol users and non-users, government officials, politicians, policy makers, media personnel, academics, and private sector workers. ADIC strives to engage and educate these diverse groups to create a positive impact on alcohol-related issues and promote sustainable development in Sri Lanka.

CLANPO: Community-Based Drug and Alcohol Control

CLANPO (Community-Based Drug and Alcohol Control) is a local non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been implementing the CBDAC project in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai provinces in Thailand, specifically targeting 120 ethnic communities. With nearly 20 years of experience, CLANPO has developed and implemented the CBDAC method, which relies on the community as the driving force for change in addressing alcohol and drug-related issues, as well as other development challenges.

The primary objective of the ongoing project is to empower ethnic communities and networks, enabling them to lead better lives without the problems associated with alcohol and drugs. Additionally, the project aims to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, particularly women and children, allowing them to exercise their rights. CLANPO places great importance on community empowerment and participation, shifting its focus from solely reducing the number of alcohol and drug users to integrating other critical issues such as gender inequality and child rights. The ultimate goal is to create a safe environment where all children can thrive within their families and communities, free from the harms of alcohol and drugs, while actively participating in their own development as well as that of their families and communities.

Over the course of five years, the project will cover four villages in Pang Ma Pha district, namely Sobpong village of Shan, Wanaluang village of Red Lahu, Nong Tong village of Lisu, and Pang Kam Noi village of Black Lahu. The target group for this project is boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. Through this initiative, CLANPO aims to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young individuals within these communities.

APCYF: The Association for Promotion of Children and Youth and Family

Fang district, is divided into eight sub-districts, situated at Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Main economical agricultural crops from Fang are onion, lychee and orange and the vast plantations require many workers, and the employers want to have cheap laborers. This is attracting migrants to cross the border from Shan State of Myanmar, both legally and illegally, seeking work while getting away from the state’s economic and political situation. The Shan State’s economic situation has been deteriorating for the past 15 years caused by the long-term civil war, the effects from Covid-19; and Myanmar’s current coup d’état which has led to conflicts between different factions and worsened the economic possibilities as well as increasing the risk of violence. 

 Fang’s populations include Thais, registered migrant workers, and people without legal status. Estimation is that total number of migrants in Fang District is more than twice the number of Thais.  

50% or migrant workers are working illegally without work permit, the migrant workers do not have any rights and are not able to access any social welfare services provided by the Thai government. Many migrants are unable to communicate in Thai and are therefore not able to access any information or argue for their cause, also aggravating the situation.

This situation directly affects the accompanying children who also misses out on rights and services leading to children’s rights being violated as follows: 

• The need for labor in the orange-orchards are fluctuating, causing non-continuous work for migrant workers. The situation creates economic pressure on families of migrant workers leading to problems including alcohol drinking, domestic violence, divorce, as well as child abuse.  
•   In the cases of parents divorcing and remarried to new partners, children, especially girls living with their mothers, are at risk of being abused, both sexually and physically. There are several examples of this in both in the villages and orchards where APCYF work and surrounding areas with both Thai and migrant populations.  
•  After hard working every day, male migrant workers would normally drink alcohol believing that it will help to restore energy, as well as helping to clean out the chemicals contaminated in their bodies from spraying pesticides in the orchards. This is further contributing to domestic violence where mostly women and children are physically abused.
•   Fact finding and problem analysis among the project’s youth groups in the target areas before Project Phase 1 found that: male youth workers often drink alcohol after work because there was nothing to do; some female youths were raped by their own fathers; early marriage among youths of 15-16 years old.  
• Regarding access to children’s health care (child health insurance), children of migrant workers cannot in many cases access health services, even if they have ID card and are registered at a school.  
• A majority of migrant workers are illegal immigrants; hence they are excluded from participation in decisions affecting them and they are without opportunity and space to be able to claim and protect their rights. 

 ”  ” project aims to establish and maintain safe and appropriate environment for targeted children to grow up, starting from family level up to community level. In Addition, the project is also working on engaging established sub-district level child protection mechanism, system and networks to build sustainable inclusive functions for the protection of children.