Catholic schools across Thailand have joined public and private organizations in marking National Listening Month, a countrywide effort to promote the value of empathy and understanding through attentive listening.
The campaign, which runs throughout November under the theme “Listen with Your Ears, See with Your Heart,” is now in its second year. It aims to encourage people to “listen attentively and without judgment” to reduce loneliness, strengthen relationships, and bridge generational divides.
At the opening ceremony on November 1 in Bangkok, Sister Dr. Chawala Wechayan, SHB, manager of Don Mueang Sacred Heart School, emphasized the Church’s role in forming compassionate leaders.
“Our group of schools under the Sacred Heart Congregation is joining the ‘Listen with Ears, See with Heart’ campaign to encourage and develop student leaders with listening skills that can be applied to activities in their own schools to promote well-being,” she said.
Sr. Chawala said the initiative helps build closer ties within the school community — between seniors and juniors, peers, and teachers and students — and fosters harmony among school staff.
“Listening is central to synodality because it welcomes and hears everyone, creating an environment where people feel respected, heard, and connected,” she told LiCAS News.
Among the student participants was Napatchaporn “Nina” Konkleep, head of the Listening Hearts student group at Sacred Heart School. She shared how the practice of attentive listening has reshaped her relationships.
“When I listened lovingly and without judgment, I understood and accepted what my father said. It helped me communicate better with my parents and my friends at school,” Nina said.
Her group later established safe “listening spaces” on campus where students can speak openly. “Listening with love and good intentions creates trust and makes our school a happier place,” she added.
Ahead of the month-long observance, the Pastoral Care Department of Sacred Heart Schools, in collaboration with Volunteer Bank and Happiness Thailand, held a preparatory program titled “Listening Creates Happiness” on October 22.
The event, part of the “We Always Listen to You” project, engaged students from three Sacred Heart schools in brainstorming activities for National Listening Month.
At the launch, Ms. Yanee Ratborirak, director of the Office of Media Systems and Intellectual Health Promotion at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, warned of a growing loneliness crisis.
“Many people are experiencing fatigue from rapid economic, social, and technological changes,” she said.
“A 2025 survey on loneliness among Thais aged 18 to 75 found that 83 percent feel lonely, largely due to a lack of activities that build mental and social connections. Office workers were found to be the loneliest group. These people need someone who warmly embraces them by listening empathetically.”
Dr. Sorayuth Rattanapochanat, another speaker, said true understanding requires both sensitivity and empathy.
He stressed that “genuine listening fosters collaboration, reduces conflict, and builds friendly work and learning environments.”
“For teachers, listening is a crucial skill because students come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Heartfelt listening can transform students’ lives and help them build lifelong confidence,” Dr. Sorayuth said.
He said that listening goes beyond simply receiving feedback — it is an act of genuine understanding.
Cultivating this skill early, both at home and in school, he said, can nurture a generation grounded in empathy, respect, and human dignity. What may seem like a small act, he added, can create a far-reaching impact on society.
