Civil society must be part of peace process, says 88 Generation leader
The public and
youth can play an important role in solving political issues says Ko Ko Gyi,
one of the leaders of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society. Speaking before
the Myanmar Youth Forum held in Monywa on June 11th, the veteran
student activist said that it was important for youth and civil society to be
involved in the ongoing national peace process. Civil society groups will not
be participating in the upcoming Panglong conference however because of a new
policy implemented by Aung San Suu Kyi.
During his
speech Ko Ko Gyi urged youths to think beyond normal problem-solving methods
when thinking about the solving the civil war and ethnic issues.
“The problem
is not a new one. It’s an old one. It’s older than us. Attempting to find
solutions for an old problem with old ways of thinking has still not been
successful up until now. So, youth need to find new ways of thinking and new
solutions. It’s not enough to solve this between the armed groups. The role of
the public is important. The voices of youth and civil society organizations
need to be included,” said U Ko Ko Gyi.
State
Counselor, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, announced recently that political parties that
have failed to win at least one seat in parliament will not be allowed to
directly participate in the 21st Century Panglong Conference.
Those parties not represented in parliament and civil society groups can
instead submit their suggestions and comments to the conference through the
Civil Society Organization Forum.
Civil society
organizations were allowed to take part in the peace conferences held by former
President U Thein Sein’s administration. But civil society organizations like
the 88 Generation Peace and Society will not be allowed to attend the 21st Century
Panglong Conference due to Aung San Suu Kyi’s new policy change. Human rights
activists and civil society organizations from ethnic areas will only be
allowed to attend the Civil Society Organization Forum.
“Civil society
needs to be allowed to participate directly. Civil society organizations held a
peace forum in Mon State recently. Civil society groups have called for the
right to participate in peace conferences,” said Min Min Nwe, an official from
a Mon State-based civil society organization.
Observers say
that civil society organizations have played a major role in the peace process
in successful transitions in foreign countries.
“Not asking
youths [to do something] or giving them tasks in fear of them making mistakes
is a hindrance on the qualifications of youths. They will learn as they work.
When they make mistakes, they will fix them. There isn’t much time left to fix
the mistakes made by adults. Youths still have much time left to fix their
mistakes. The development of the history of mankind is a process of fixing the
mistakes,” said Ko Ko Gyi.
Tags: News, Politics
