THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP POTELTIAL AMONG YOUTH IN YASOTHON PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed 1) To examine the current conditions and problems in developing the capacity for participatory democratic citizenship among youth in Yasothon Province; 2) To develop a model for enhancing democratic citizenship capacity through processes grounded in the local sociocultural context; 3) To pilot the model with target youth groups and evaluate the resultant changes; and 4) To refine the model and produce an implementation handbook for province-wide scaling-up. A mixed-methods research and development design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires from 361 youths selected via quota sampling. Qualitative data were obtained from in-depth interviews with 30 key informants, and 13 experts evaluated the innovation. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, the Priority Needs Index (PNI Modified), Pearson's product–moment correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The credibility and trustworthiness of the qualitative data were established through triangulation. The findings were as follows. 1) The PNIModified result (PNI = 0.5385) indicated that "democracy and new-generation adolescents" is a priority area requiring urgent development. Recommended interventions include practice-oriented activities, public forums, and a mentoring system focusing on civic psychology. 2) The developed model comprises four components: 2.1) A conceptual framework for development; 2.2) A set of learning activities; 2.3) An operational manual for implementation in educational institutions and communities; and 2.4) Criteria for assessing democratic citizenship capacity. 3) The trial implementation demonstrated that youths showed significant development in democratic knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, particularly in respecting others' opinions and engaging in constructive expression. The integration of core Buddhist principles contributed to the enhancement of emotional intelligence in democratic citizenship. and 4) The development of the scaling-up handbook generated a new integrative body of knowledge that links democratic social learning with Buddhist-oriented development, aiming at holistic youth development across intellectual, mental, emotional, and moral dimensions.