On 13th January 2020, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) held an opening ceremony for an annual pre-retirement training programme 2020 under the theme “Develop Positive Attitude Towards Life Goals Setting”. The ceremony was presided by H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabakdi, Vice Minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Lada Phumas, the Director of Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs delivered welcoming remarks and informed the participants of the program’s schedule.

 

  

          The training program aimed to improve quality of life of the Ministry’s long-serving officials by encouraging them, through various activities, to prepare themselves both physically and mentally for life change after retirement. The program also aimed for the said officials to equip them with necessary knowledge and other alternatives in life planning.

          The training program comprises two components. The first one offered two-day class on various topics including relevant regulations on Government official retirement benefits, physical and mental preparation, planning to live a balanced life, adaptation to digital transformation.

 

 

          The second component were onsite visits to Thailand’s Northern provinces namely Nan, Phrae, Phayao and Chiang Rai from 15 to 21 January 2020. The purpose of the visit was to provide participants with opportunities to learn communities’ current context through Action Learning method including exchange of experiences and views with resource persons, exposure to local cultures, histories, arts, way of life, different types of aesthetics, sufficiency economy philosophy. The participants also conducted community service and explored alternatives in careers and hobbies after retirement.