Civil society organizations (CSOs) from around Mon State will hold a forum in the state capital this weekend to prepare for the upcoming 21st Century Panglong Conference.
Organizers said the forum’s primary objective is to collect ethnic Mon people’s views to inform the next union-level conference, currently scheduled for the last week of August.
Participants will discuss federalism, ethnic nationality rights, youth and drugs, women’s issues, human rights and refugee policies, land, natural resource sharing, investment, and education, according to Nai Kaung Lawi, a member of the organizing committee.
“Civil society organizations here are closest to the public. After collecting the people’s voices during the forum, we will share their opinions with Mon representatives to convey at the 21st Century Panglong Conference.”
The 2-day event will be held at the Pine Khit Hall in the Myaingtharyar Ward of Mawlamyine, formerly known as Moulmein. Around 120 civil society organizations and representatives from Mon political parties were invited, as well as CSOs from Karen State and Tenasserim Division.
Representatives from the New Mon State Party (NMSP), Mon National Party (MNP) and All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) will reportedly present their views on the structure of the 21st Century Panglong Conference and their party stances on current federal policies.
