Civil Society Seminar – What now Myanmar?

National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in the elections in November 2015. The expectations for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government are sky high and the people of Myanmar are awaiting great, positive changes for the country. Successful elections and the establishment of a new government has ushered in a new era and a new role for civil society in Myanmar.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Myanmar, H.E. Ms. Ann Ollestad and the director of Norad Mr. Jon Lomøy therefore have the great pleasure of inviting you to a seminar in Yangon, Myanmar to discuss the role of the civil society and the way forward in Myanmar.

Norway has a broad development cooperation with Myanmar and has actively supported the peace process for several years. With our development partners from civil society Norway wishes to contribute to the challenging transition Myanmar is currently going through. Civil society possesses valuable local understanding and knowledge about the diverse parts of society and the country.

A seminar were we can discuss the political situation, the human rights situation and the challenges you meet as organizations in Myanmar is an excellent opportunity to share experiences, best practices and learn from each other. Attached you will find a tentative agenda for the seminar. If you have suggestions on topics or issues you think should be included, please let us know.

We hope you will join us for this exiting and rewarding seminar. Each organization must cover their own travel and living expenses. 

Tentative agenda

• Update on the political situation in Myanmar, the peace process, the conflict situation, the democratic reform process and economic development.
  
  
• Political and technical operating frameworks for the civil society in Myanmar. Possibilities for developing strong local civil society actors. A strong civil society as a goal in itself and as a tool to reach other goals.
  
  
• Human Rights and the role of civil society. Human rights as a crosscutting issue in Norwegian development cooperation. The relationship between the promotion of human rights, conflict sensitivity and the peace process. Human rights and responsible business performance. 
  
  
• Potential half day: For our Norwegian partners: How does Norwegian foreign policy and priorities affect the Norwegian development cooperation in Myanmar?