Jointly organized by the Brussels-based Euro Burma Office (EBO), Canada-based Forum of Federations (FOF), Chiangmai-based Pyidaungsu Institute for Peace and Dialogue (PI) and Taunggyi-based New Generation Shan State (NGSS), a basic constitution awareness workshop is scheduled to be held in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, 25-27 May, according to sources.

Taunggyi workshop follows the one in Loikaw, Kayah State, which is currently being held from, 21-23 May.

“One of the problems is that our people know very little what a constitution is and why it is important to have one,” said Khuensai Jaiyen, one of the organizers. “Only after they have learned this, can we discuss with them what to do with the 2008 constitution.”

The workshop is expected to be followed up by a Training of Trainers (TOT).

Representatives from Shan State-based political parties, civil society organizations and ethnic armies that have concluded ceasefire agreements have been invited to participate in the event.

Taunggyi is known for its hosting of the inter-state conference on 8-16 June 1961 that called for the amendment of the 1947 constitution from a quasi-federal document into a full-federal one. The movement ended with a coup in 1962.