Kachin youth hold peace conference

ON NOV.3,KACHIN YOUTH HELD THE PEACE CONFERENCE IN WAINGMAW TOWNSHIP IN KACHIN STATE, NORTHERN BURMA.

MYITKYINA, BURMA — Kachin youth who aspire for peace in their war-torn state held a conference near Myitkyina over the weekend. According to organizers the conference was the first of its kind to be held in Kachin state since fighting between Burma's military and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) erupted last year.

The more than 100 people who attended the conference were overwhelmingly young people but church preachers also took part, organizers said. “Participants exchanged their opinions on the current war and discussed the meaning of peace” conference organizer M. Naw Li told the Kachin News Group.

Participants began the conference by singing several songs about peace. This was followed by a discussion about peace. Cartoons relating to peace were also on display. Conference organizers hope that those who took part in the conference will continue their peace building activities in the future.

Awng Wa, a former ethnic Kachin 88 generation student leader and chairman of All Kachin Students and Youth Union (AKSYU), believes that peace will only occur when there is major reform. “A genuine peace will not come to the country without justice. So peace and justice must be implemented at the same time,” he said.

In an effort to bring peace to a war torn area the conference was held in Waingmaw (Waimaw) township where clashes between government forces and the KIO have frequently occurred.