Information Sharing and Planning Workshop in Dooplaya District

Karen National Union (KNU) leaders from Dooplaya District recently held an Information Sharing and Planning Workshop, to review and discuss the past two years experiences of the preliminary ceasefire. The 4-day workshop was held from 18-21 Feb 2014 at Ka Toe Hta Village, Kawkereik Township, Dooplaya District. The KNU Chairman, General Mutu Sae Poe, and KNU Central Executive Committee (CEC) members attended the workshop.  The Security and Border Affairs Minister Col Aung Lwin from Karen State governance attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech.

Col Saw Htoo Htoo Lay, Political and Military Advisor to KNU Chairman, Dr. Alan Smith from MPSI (Myanmar Peace Support Initiative), together with CEC members, presented and explained the challenges and achievements of the Peace Process. They also presented on strategic thinking and techniques, as well as, reviewing the whole Peace Process.

Workshop participants represented the administrative authorities of Dooplaya District, different levels of 6th Brigade military leadership, Karen Woman’s Organisation (KWO), Karen Youth Organisation (KYO) and, local community leaders. Participants openly presented and exchanged both the challenges and achievements in their areas over the last 2 years.

In order to strengthen the implementation of the Peace Process, facilitators and participants discussed different angles and agreed on strategic ways to overcome the challenges by using them as opportunities, thus strategically building internal unity for the organisation (KNU) and implementing people centered benefits.

120 participants from Dooplaya District attended the workshop. Participants requested additional capacity building workshops to enhance the implementation of the Peace Process in the future. Chief Minister of Karen State governance U Zaw Min attended the closing ceremony. KNU Chairman, General Mutu Sae Poe and Dooplaya District Chairman, P’doh Shwe Mawn gave closing speeches celebrating the success of the workshop.