The forum’s spokesperson Philip Soe Aung said that the union-level leading committee would now discuss the draft policy.

He said: “Union-level discussion will only run smoothly when we have a state-level youth policy. That’s why we drafted the state-level youth policy first.”

Ma Elizabeth a representative of the Kayaw ethnic group in Karenni State discussed the societal and environmental issues that ethnic groups living in Karenni State face and she called on everyone to find solutions to these issues.

She said to Kantarawaddy Times: “In reality the government alone cannot implement [the youth policy]. The public, youths and government need to cooperate for it [the policy] to be effective.”

The draft Karenni youth policy covers many areas. They include: education, health, sports, human rights, preservation of ethnic culture and traditions, reducing drug use, rehabilitation of former drug users, peace, science and technology, job opportunities, entrepreneurial opportunities, independent and official recognition of youth associations, politics, arts, security, media, and the natural environment.

The drafting forum was held at the City Hall in Loikaw, the capital of Karenni State, from 9 to 11 September with the help of government, civil society organisations and ethnic youths. Its purpose was to help and encourage the emergence of a youth policy in Burma.

A total of 160 youth representatives attended the forum.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI