Meeting with members of ELCA: MoEA UM met with members of ELCA

The Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Jeng Phang Naw Taung who is in Devei, accompanied by Ministers of Taninthayi Region Government met with the members of Ethnic Literature and Culture Committees and ethnic entrepreneurs at City Hall of Dewei in the morning on 29th December.

At the meeting, first, the Union Minister Jeng Phang Naw Taung explained the ministry's responsibilities and highlighted its collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Education to promote teaching ethnic languages and literature in regions and states.

He emphasized that Myanmar, as a union with over 130 national races, requires a true Union spirit and patriotism. He defined the Union spirit as the collective understanding that "all ethnic groups living under the same sky and drinking the same water are brothers and sisters, and will unite to protect the nation in times of need." He further stressed that regardless of geography, all are connected as siblings, dedicated to defending and developing the nation together. This spirit includes mutual sharing, harmony, and collaboration within the union, fostering unity like members of a family.

The Union Minister urged everyone to actively contribute to building a democratic and federal Union, which the people of the nation aspire to, while upholding their respective responsibilities without compromising the country’s three national causes. Following his remarks, Deputy Minister U Zaw Aye Maung delivered a speech. Ethnic literature and cultural associations attending the meeting discussed various issues related to ethnic affairs and regional development.

Director-General U Win Naing of the Department of Ethnic Literature and Culture responded to the discussions and provided clarifications. The Union Minister and Deputy Minister then addressed concerns and assured collaborative efforts to fulfill necessary actions.

Additionally, they presented financial support to the ethnic literature and cultural associations representing Dawei, Kayin, Mon and Salon (Mawkin) communities to further promote and preserve ethnic literature and culture.

In the evening, the Union Minister Jeng Phang Naw Taung attended the Kayin National New Year Celebration for Kayin Era 2764 held at Shwe Wei Thiri Sports Ground in Dawei Township.

At the ceremony, Chanthagyi Sayadaw U Thondara, Union Minister Jeng Phang Naw Taung, Taninthayi Region Chief Minister U Myat Ko, Region Minister for Ethnic Affairs Saw Martin Luthar and Catholic bishop Father Joeseph Thein Khin opened the arch entrance of Kayin National New Year Day by cutting the ceremonial ribbon and took a documentary group photo.

Next, the Union Minister, Region Chief Minister, Chief Justice of the State High Court, Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command, Region Ministers, departmental officials, Kayin national leaders and the representatives of Kayin ethnic community observed around the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs display booth and Kayin Traditional culture exhibition booth.

Then, the Union Minister, Chief Minister and invited guests enjoyed the ethnic traditional cultural dances.  During the Kayin National New Year Day Celebration, the celebration ground is packed with the crowd of national races, local residents and shop stalls, it’s reported.