VSA Lanna Through the Lens in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage education 2026 

HONG KONG - Teacher Professional Development Programme in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Education 2026, Jarinya Krittikan, Director of the Volunteer Spirit Association (VSA) Thailand, took the stage on the second day of the international forum to spotlight Thailand’s rich cultural legacy through her presentation, “Lanna through the Lens: Sharing Intangible Heritage from Thailand.”

The international forum, running from August 1 to August 5, 2026, in Hong Kong, was hosted by International Center for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA) and the UNESCO Chair in Comparative Education at The University of Hong Kong, serving as its academic advisory unit. Gathering over 500 students, educators, diplomats, and youth leaders from across the globe, the event focused on fostering mutual learning, global citizenship, and sustainable cultural preservation.

Unveiling Northern Thailand’s Living Culture

In her keynote session on the forum's second day, Krittikan introduced global attendees to the vibrant history and living traditions of Northern Thailand's ancient Lanna Kingdom. Through visual storytelling, photography, and community-driven insights, her session illustrated how local voluntary service and youth engagement serve as vital bridges to safeguard living heritage.

"Intangible cultural heritage is not a relic of the past—it lives through the hands, stories, and daily practices of communities," Krittikan emphasized during her presentation. "By looking at Lanna culture through the lens of young volunteers and visual narrative, we empower youth to become active custodians and global ambassadors of their own heritage."

Krittikan’s organization, VSA Thailand (Volunteer Spirit Association), has long been at the forefront of international voluntary service, community development, and intercultural exchanges across Thailand. Her address highlighted how youth-led initiatives can capture regional arts, craftsmanship, oral histories, and eco-friendly traditions, transforming local cultural assets into shared global treasures.

Global Experts & Prominent Speakers

Krittikan featured alongside a distinguished panel of international experts and education leaders who led sessions during the three-day programme:

• Jarinya Krittikan — Director of VSA Thailand (Keynote Speaker: Lanna through the Lens)

• Prof. Mark Bray — UNESCO Chair Professor in Comparative Education, University of Hong Kong

• Dr. Shahbaz Khan — Director, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in East Asia

• Dr. Shahbaz Khan & UNESCO Representatives — Leading global frameworks on Education 2030 and living heritage integration

By sharing Thailand's community-driven models, Jarinya Krittikan provided participating international teachers with actionable frameworks to co-develop quality resources, foster local heritage pride, and drive educational innovation across global classrooms. 

Learn More & References

• Event & Schedule: Program Overview | Day 2 Schedule

• Media Coverage: China Daily HK: Youth play key role in creating humanity's shared future

• Photo Album