Mon civil society organizations (CSOs) will participate in a three-day conference to strengthen collaborative efforts to support Mon national unity.

The conference will be held from April 26 to 28 at Rehmonnya Hotel, in Mawlamyine, the Capital of Mon State, Myanmar.

CSOs will have the opportunity to share their input on various community development projects and help draft a comprehensive strategy for Mon affairs and CSO future activities, according to the conference organizing committee.

Mi Kon Chan Non, the Chairwoman of Mon Women Organization (MWO) provided one reason unity among CSOs is so important, “We have never gotten the support and encouragement from the political parties, government, and armed groups for the sectors we CSOs are trying to advocate for. This is a challenge for the CSOs.”

The conference committee hopes that the conference can yield helpful results that support future peace, politics and development, and other sectors, continued Mi Kon Chan Non.

“The civil sector is very essential if we want to have changes. But, for us to be able to urge for that [change], it’s necessary for the CSOs themselves to be united first,” said Min Seik Rot of Mon Youth Educator Organization (MYEO), a local organization in Mawlamyine.

The conference invited 200 representatives from respective Mon CSOs and community based organizations including from those based in Mon State, Karen State, and the Tarnintharyi Region.