**Bangkok, July 16, 2024** — The inaugural “Mission Possible” Youth Social Hackathon, held from July 12-14, marked a historic event in Thailand, bringing together the voices of children to tackle pressing global social issues. Aligning with the Synod meeting’s “walking together” ethos, this hackathon provided a platform for young minds to contribute to solving global crises within the guiding light of the Synod.
Event Overview
Organized by the Catholic Education Council of Thailand and LiCAS, the social hackathon welcomed high school students aged 13-19 from 12 Catholic schools across Thailand. These young participants were encouraged to ideate and create solutions for chronic social issues highlighted by the Asian continental stage of the Synod on Synodality; topics include migrant labor, family dynamics, gender roles, the effects of digital technology, economic equality, climate change, and inter-religious unity.
Empowerment Through Collaboration
The event fostered a spirit of collaboration and innovation, with students working in teams to develop their projects. Mentors and national experts from various fields provided guidance, helping students refine their ideas and learn new techniques. This environment of creative learning allowed participants to delve deeply into the issues at hand and come up with impactful solutions and to then make a 4-minute pitch for funding to make their solutions become reality.
Highlights of the Hackathon
– Inspiration and Knowledge: The social hackathon commenced with sessions on Synod principles, rules of engagement, and the hackathon’s theme and problem statements. These sessions set the stage for a productive and insightful event.
The hackathon was graced by the presence of Sister Nina Krapic from Dicastery for Communication, esteemed mentors and pitching coaches, including Ada Chirapaisarnkul, Dr. Santi Lapbenjakul, Than Nicharee Peneakchanasak, Jaroen Dinu, Narudee Kristhanin, Louis Kristhanin, Voranunt Prasertmet, and Athithan Ongpichetmetha, who played crucial roles in guiding the students.
– Hacking and Pitching: Over the three days, students engaged in group discussions, pitching coaching sessions, and project presentations. This hands-on approach ensured that participants gained practical skills in design thinking and project development.
After the first day of inspiration and knowledge sharing, the students spent the whole of the second day “hacking” their problems to come up with compelling solutions – while also responding to the last-minute challenge at the end of the first day to demonstrate synodality in the process of finding the solutions and well as in the solutions themselves.
With almost all the students not having done a “pitch” before, pitching coaches who are renown speakers in Thailand and internationally were on hand during the second day to coach them to making their challenges, opportunities and solutions as clear and impactful as possible to the judges for the following “pitching” day.
– Project-Funding Announcement & Recognition Ceremony: The event culminated on the final day when the each team “pitched” for funding to make their solutions become reality. Each team were strictly given 4-minutes to make the best case possible for funding – the timing limit was inspired by the limit given to bishops and cardinals who are also given a 4-minute limit when speaking at the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican.
The organizers stressed that the funding receive is a big burden and responsibility for the team to use it to benefit the target recipients of their solutions. Four teams received project funding of 125,000 THB, 100,000 THB, and 80,000 THB respectively, with an additional 5,000 THB donation for related foundations or charitable organizations chosen by all other teams.
A Weekend of Learning and Innovation
Throughout the hackathon weekend, students participated in various activities designed to enhance their understanding and creativity, as well as to practice synodality during the hack of their problems and implement synodality in their solutions.
Workshops, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative projects filled the schedule, providing a comprehensive learning experience. The participants’ enthusiasm and dedication were evident in the hundreds of photos captured during the event’s vibrant atmosphere.
MISSION POSSIBLE:
TOgether We Make a Better World Possible
The “Mission Possible” Youth Social Hackathon highlighted the true voice of youth in driving social change and the transformative power of synodality in listening and walking together by all parties involved, children and adults alike.
By empowering young minds and fostering a collaborative environment, the event underscored the importance of synodality and the collective effort needed to address global crises. This hackathon demonstrated that when synodality is brought to life through creativity, teamwork, and expert guidance, young people can indeed MAKE a better world POSSIBLE.