When Jan Aldwin Cutin first stepped foot in Chiang Mai, Thailand at 19 years old, it was a revelation. Raised in a small southern village of the Philippines, Cutin had never left his country before. The city opened his eyes to the wider world, and in many ways, laid the foundation for the path he walks today.

Now 33, Cutin has come full circle. He returned to Chiang Mai not as a traveler, but as a trainer and mentor at the EarthRights School, a pioneering residential program that equips grassroots environmental and human rights defenders from across the Mekong region with tools to protect their communities and land.

“I like to think of myself as more of a facilitator of knowledge than a teacher, because I learn so much from my students every day,” said Cutin. 

His role at EarthRights School is to provide specialized classes to students, and to work with them one-on-one as a mentor. Mentors support the students to set their own unique learning goals, decide on their investigation topics, and to feel comfortable in the training center by creating a space to voice concerns. 

Cutin draws on his years of experience as a youth worker and inclusive education activist in his home country. He started out his professional journey working with projects that promoted peer-to-peer learning in underserved communities, and spent time advocating for the expansion of non-formal education programs for the young people of the Philippines. 

Now, at the training center in Chiang Mai, Cutin makes an effort to ensure that every student feels included and safe.

“Our approach isn’t graded, it’s more focused on helping students achieve their goals. Students are encouraged not to compete but to focus on their specific objectives, which helps to create a safe and inclusive environment for them,” said Cutin. 

A Unique Approach to Learning 

The group of 13 students currently enrolled in the EarthRights School program come from diverse cultural, social and linguistic backgrounds. 

To build a bridge between these different cultures, and ensure that everyone feels empowered to participate equally in the program, the EarthRights School designs learning experiences that create a lasting impact. 

“Experiential learning is very core to our approach. Our students really contribute to the lessons and use real life experiences and examples in class,” Cutin explains. “They also learn about things that are relevant to their experiences as activists, such as security and risk management.”

One aspect of the training program that stood out the most to Cutin was the field trip. EarthRights School staff took students to Chiang Rai, to visit villages that will be displaced by the Pak Beng Dam project currently under construction in neighbouring Lao PDR. 

Students were able to experience firsthand the destruction that the dam will cause, which will flood entire villages and communities once it redirects the flow of the river. They also heard from community leaders, academics, and experts on how hydroelectric dams work and how they threaten the livelihoods of people living in surrounding areas. 

“Even as a teacher, I felt so emotionally affected by the trip,” Cutin explains. “To see such a beautiful place knowing that it will disappear in a few years.” 

Alwin’s final wish for the EarthRights School program is that it will continue creating a positive impact with students in the future, but also innovating and adapting to the needs of a fast-changing world. Through his own work, he hopes that he will create a positive impact on the lives of his students, and encourage them to take on more responsibility when they return to their home countries. 

“There are so many unique stories from the Mekong region that should be told to the world, and it’s wonderful to be a part of this,” Cutin said.