Examining the Area-Based Sustainable Establishment of Nora Youth Training Center: Participatory Action Research

Abstract

Nora was a performing art native to southern Thailand, known for its delicacy and beauty. It had a unique and distinctive identity closely intertwined with the way of life of the local people in southern Thailand. In 2021, Nora received UNESCO certification as an intangible cultural heritage. As a result, Nora regained an increasingly prominent role in southern and Thai society, impacting various dimensions, including education, emphasizing the significance of promoting and preserving Nora sustainably.

This research critically investigated a sustainable model for establishing the Nora Youth Training Center, grounded in a geographical and socio-cultural context. Utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) as its foundational framework, the methodology incorporated three primary research instruments:1) Focus group discussions, 2) Comprehensive individual interviews, and 3) Ethnographic participant observations. The investigation revealed five pivotal elements for the sustainable evolution of the Nora Youth Training Center: Input (integrating administrators, trainers, students, Nora artists, locales, infrastructure, financial planning, and associated entities, Process entailing policy formulation, governance, and pedagogical design), Results (which includes tangible outputs and broader outcomes), Feedback (sourced from the training center affiliates, its oversight committee, and the wider audience, and Environment (highlighting both its tangible and intangible aspects).

This sustainable model elevated Nora’s stature within educational circles and resonated with the ethos of Sustainable Development Goal 11: “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. The center’s evolution ensured meticulous data archiving, enhanced accessibility, enriched learning experiences, and a bespoke hub for celebrating Nora’s performing arts. These transformative steps catered to evolving societal needs, ensuring Nora’s cultural significance remained perennially relevant.