The International Zomi Peace Conference in Malaysia announced plans to build a government-recognized Zomi community center in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. This center will host Zomi National Day celebrations, traditional festivals, and offices for Zomi literature and cultural organizations, according to a February 20 statement. The conference was held in Kuala Lumpur on February 18 and 19.
Conference delegates agreed to build a community center in Yangon and raised over 143 million MMK during the fundraising drive. The funds have been entrusted to the Zomi Youth Association (ZYA) to carry out the planned initiatives.
The conference attendees also agreed that if the government permits Zomi literature to be taught as part of the official curriculum in Zomi-majority areas, efforts should be made to teach it not only in government schools but also in religious and private schools. They also unanimously decided to adopt the Zolai Tonggualh, compiled by the Zomi Cultural and Literary Society (ZCLS), as the standard curriculum.
The conference also agreed to systematically archive Zomi national historical records and promote research and documentation efforts. Additionally, attendees discussed measures to combat infectious diseases and enhance both physical and mental healthcare for the public.
They also resolved to condemn and prohibit the production of drugs, including opium cultivation, and designated the second Sunday of February each year as a day of prayer for the entire Zomi people, according to the conference statement.
Delegates also agreed to continue efforts to ensure that all initiatives promoting peace and reconciliation among the Zomi people receive government recognition. They also agreed to create opportunities for all Zomi individuals to participate in peacemaking efforts, regardless of whether they attended the conference.
Leaders of Zomi religious, political, and organizational groups from around the world attended the two-day International Zomi Peace Conference, which aimed to promote the welfare and future of the entire Zomi people.
