2nd Coordination Meeting: Organizing Committee for Youth Peace Forum held

The second coordination meeting of the Steering Committee for the Organization of the Youth Peace Forum was held on December 23 at the M Gallery Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, stated that the forum would be conducted in a format that brings together young people who are interested in peace to participate collectively in discussions. Arrangements have been made to ensure that diverse voices of youth are fully heard.

He noted that working committees have already been formed to jointly carry out the necessary preparations for the forum, and he urged the relevant committees to discuss in detail the specific tasks and procedures they are responsible for. Subsequently, the Secretary of the Steering Committee, Lt-Gen Min Naing, explained the arrangements being made to ensure inclusive youth participation in the forum. He also discussed the request for social affairs ministers from regions and states to select youth delegates who will participate in the discussions in accordance with set criteria.

In addition, he elaborated on matters related to organizing the Youth Peace Forum, the status of preparatory work, and coordination and cooperation mechanisms. Afterwards, deputy ministers, a member of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, permanent secretaries, directors general, and social affairs ministers from regions and states discussed the tasks to be carried out according to their respective sectors. Participants also offered suggestions and recommendations on matters deemed necessary.

Following this, the Vice Chairman of the Organizing Steering Committee, U Maung Maung Ohn, supplemented the discussion by highlighting the importance of youth and the peace sector. He emphasized that peace is of critical importance, noting that successive governments have strived to achieve lasting peace. He also addressed the current situation in the country and underscored the significant role of youth.

Afterward, the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, delivered concluding remarks. The Youth Peace Forum is to be organized with the objectives of highlighting the importance of youth contributions to peace and community stability; fostering dialogue and solutions on issues, attitudes, and concerns relevant to all citizens in a positive environment; creating opportunities for youth; supporting cooperation and communication among peaceful communities; identifying the practical role of youth in the post-election period; strengthening youth capacities in dialogue, mediation, and responsible engagement; generating youth recommendations that will contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation, and future social action plans; and compiling recommendations emerging from the Youth Peace Forum into a youth policy document to be submitted for future nation-building.

For the discussion sessions of the Youth Peace Forum, arrangements are being made to invite representatives from selected ministries, young experts from various fields, youth representatives from regions and states, youth with disabilities, volunteer youth from community-based organizations, youth from philanthropic associations and NGO youth networks, ethnic youth from border areas, and youth from IDP camps. It is planned to invite youth representatives aged between 18 and 35 from the various groups.