ENAC hosts forum to discuss federal union policies
Members of the Ethnic
Nationalities Affairs Centre (ENAC) are hosting talks with Burmese government
representatives to discuss the nine ethnic
affairs points drafted to support ambitions for the establishment of a federal
union in Burma.
Civil society groups and members of the public have
also been invited to the two-day forum, branded the ENAC Policy Field
Consultation Workshop, which began yesterday in Shan State capital Taunggyi.
ENAC describes itself as an
independent organization that supports the peace
process and the development of democratic institutions in Burma.
Sai Nyunt Lwin, a member of
ENAC’s board of directors and general secretary of the Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy (SNLD), said that the aim of this workshop is to clarify the
policy recommendations so that they may be included in the drafting of a new
constitution.
“Nine points were drafted on
policies, including education, health, trade and investment, natural resources
and taxation,” he said.
According to Sai Nyunt Lwin, ENAC previously held similar
workshops in Yangon, Mon State’s Mawlamyine, Karen State’s Hpa-an, eastern Shan
State’s Kengtung township and northern Shan State’s Lashio township. He said
that they will continue to host forums in other parts of Burma in order to draw
suggestions from the public.
“We aim to host such conferences in the areas where
we have not already done so,” he said. “The next workshop may be in Chin State or
Rakhine State.”
“We want to reach out to the public to hear their
voices on this drafting policy,” he added.
Founded in
July 2013, ENAC has been conducting trainings and workshops on the issues of economics,
politics, security, land rights and resource management to civil society groups,
ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and political parties.
By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Tags: News, Politics
