annex 1: overview of mpsi-supported...

Lessons Learned from MPSI’s Work Supporting the Peace Process in Myanmar 1

Annex 1: Overview of MPSI-Supported Projects

MPSI associated projects key facts

•MPSI has engagedwith the KNU, NMSP,ALP,CNF,KNPP,SSA-S/RCSSandDKBAandhelpedtoinitiateandsupportprojectsseeking to test commitment to, and buildconfidencein,theceasefires.

•MPSI pilot projects have opened uphumanitarian space and delivered assis-tance to conflict-affected people living invery isolated areas, including food,medi-cines, tools and school supplies. Morethan100,000peoplehavereceivednationalidentity cards, which allow citizens toinvokebasicrightsandenablefreedomofmovement.

•Wide reach through broad partnerships:MPSI-supportedprojectsareimplementedby localpartnersacrossfiveethnicStates(Chin,Shan,Mon,Karen,Kayah) and twoRegions(Bago,Tanintharyi).Theyaredeliv-eredinpartnershipwiththirteenlocalpart-ners(fourofwhichareconsortia),andnineinternationalpartners.

•Flexible and responsive funding fromNorway, Finland, The Netherlands,Denmark,theUnitedKingdom,Switzerland,theEuropeanUnionandAustralia.

Approach 1: Building trust and confidence, and testing the peace process – Providing assistance to communities, alongside the creation of opportunities for dialogue and the opening up of humanitarian space

Eastern Bago - Kyauk Kyi pilot

Project area:KerDerVillageTract,easternBagoRegion;withexpansiontocoverthreeadditionalsitesinphase2:KwiLa(anotherIDPVillageTractadjacenttoKerDer)andtwo‘relocationsites’inGovernment-controlledareas

Time-frame: June to December 2012 (phase 1)andSeptember2013toDecember2014(phase2)

Project partners: CIDKP and KORD, with NPAsupport

Project fund support:$160,000(phase1)and$292,000(phase2)

Donor:AusAidandNorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairs(bothphasescommencedwithNorwegianfunding)

MPSI input: - HIGH - Direct facilitation ofdiscussions/consultation, Brokering access toconflict-affectedareas,Supportinglocalpartnerstoformulateactionsandbudgetsintermsrequiredbyfunders,andLinkingdonorsandimplementingpartners

•Provides assistance to internally displacedcommunitiesinanareapreviouslyinaccessiblefrom inside Myanmar due to conflict. Projectdesign, includinggeographical location, jointlyagreeduponbyGovernment,communitiesandKNU.

Political context

In January and April 2012, the MyanmarGovernment agreed a ceasefire with the KNU,withprovisionsmainlypertaining tomilitaryandsecurity-related matters. Two of the clauses inthese agreements stated a joint commitment toguarantee civilian populations’ life, security andfreedom from fear, and to help communitiesrecoverfromconflict.

The Kyauk Kyi pilot project, including thegeographical location, was requested by theKNU, and agreedby theMyanmarGovernment(including Minister U Aung Min). The objectiveof the project was to support the immediaterecovery efforts of the IDPs in the pilot projectarea,encourageanormalizationprocessbetweenthe IDP community and state and KNU civilianandmilitaryauthorities,andeventuallycreateanenvironment conducive for the return of thoseIDPswhowishtoresettleintheirvillagesoforigin.Onthepoliticallevel,theaimoftheprojectwastosupporttheover-archingpeaceprocessbetweentheGovernmentandtheKNU,bycreatingtractionon the ground – thus increasing confidence inthe political process, both among the generalpopulationandmilitaryactorsinthearea.

Itwas jointly agreed that theCIDKP (theKNU’srelief wing) and the Karen Organisation for

2 March 2012 to March 2014

Relief and Development (KORD), would be theimplementing agents on the ground. As thehumanitarianarmoftheKNU,withatrustedareapresence,theCIDKPprovedthemostappropriateimplementer for the project, from both politicalandpracticalperspectives.

Project activities

Basedontheevidenceprovidedbyaparticipatoryneeds assessment conducted by CIDKP, andwith support from the MPSI and NPA, CIDKPdesigned theprojectwith twoexpected results:i) the successful delivery of immediate supportpackages to the IDP communities will signifyproofofsupportforthepeaceprocessonthepartoftheMyanmarGovernmentandArmy,openingthewayforwiderreliefeffortsincludingdeminingand resettlement, and ii) the successfuldeliveryof immediate support packages will strengthenresilienceoftheassistedcommunitiestoprepareforastage-by-stagerecovery,whichmayincludetheabilitytosurvivesafelyintheircurrentvillagesuntil landmines are removed (rather than adangerous return to theoriginalsitesbefore thelandminesareremoved).

TheKyaukKyipilotwasthefirstprojectinitiatedundertheMPSI.ItwasimplementedinMuThe/KerDerVillageTract,aremotejunglearea,inthehillstwentymileseastofKyaukKyi,ontheroadtotheThaiborderineasternBagoRegion-KarenNational Union (KNU)/Karen National LiberationArmy (KNLA) 3rd Brigade area. Due to theprotracted armed conflict, Kyauk Kyi Townshiphasfordecadesbeenanarealargelyinaccessibleto external actors (including internationalhumanitarian agencies). The first phase, whichincluded the distribution of rice and non-fooditems(clothingandstationeryforschool-children,medicalkits,agriculturaltools)tothe1585IDPs,began in June 2012 and was completed inDecember2012.NPAprovidedcapacity-buildingsupportandfinancialmanagement.

InApril 2012CIDKPcarriedoutasurvey/needsassessmentwith the IDPcommunities (assistedbyFAFO,aNorwegianresearchfoundation).Thefindings showed that three in four householdswanted to move back to their original villagesin thefuture (a fewhadalreadymoved,orbeenback to assess the situation), 23% wanted togo somewhere new and only 4% wanted tostay in their place of displacement. However,for those who wished to return, the presence

of landmines in the original areas constituteda significant obstacle – not leastwith regard tosecuring sustainable livelihoods. The needsassessment also indicated a significant levelof food insecurity, andwidespread fear that theceasefire arrangement might break down andtheMyanmarArmywouldonceagainattacktheircommunities. Needs were also identified withregardtoeducationandwater/sanitation.Basedontheneedsassessment,aprojectproposalwasdevelopedbyCIDKP,withsupportfromNPAandMPSI,andstrongcommunityinvolvement.MPSIconductedaseriesofmeetingswithstakeholders,including various Karen CBOs both ‘inside’MyanmarandThailandbased.Ongoingeffortsatconsultationhadtobebalancedwiththeneedtomovequickly,inordertosupportafast-changingpeace process, and also to ensure assistancewas provided to highly vulnerable communitiesbefore theonsetof the rainyseason.As itwas,thereweredelaysandmuchoftheassistancewasdeliveredwithdifficultyduring the rainyseason,andtheprojectwassuccessfullyimplementedinlargepartthankstothesuperbeffortsofCIDKPstaffontheground.

Monitoring, learning and evaluation

The project provided a platform for anunprecedented degree of engagement andcommunication between the MyanmarGovernment/Army, the KNU/KNLA, and theaffected community. In regular consultationmeetings,members of the IDP populationwereable to raise their concerns directly with theauthorities, including the Bago Region Borderand Security Affairs Minister, and local militarycommanders.Thiselementoftheprojectremainsextremelyimportant,asthismaybethefirsttimethatdisplacedKarenciviliansdirectlyaffectedbythearmedconflicthavebeenabletoexpresstheirconcerns directly to seniorMyanmar Army andGovernmentofficials.Formanyofthosepresent,these encounters were quite moving, not leastforthedignifiedmannerinwhichtheIDPleadersspokeoftheirconcernsandaspirations.

On 16 May 2012 a consultation was held inKyauk Kyi, between the Myanmar Government(Immigration & Population Minister Khin Yee,andRegional/Townshipofficials), theNorwegianDeputyForeignMinisterandAmbassador,KNU/KNLA leaders (KNU Military Affairs CommitteeSecretary, Htoo Htoo Lei; KNLA 3rd Brigade


Commander; KNU District Chairman), andrepresentatives of the IDP community (manyof whom had never visited Kyauk Kyi before).This meeting established precedents, includingauthorisation for CIDKP to establish a projectofficeinKyaukKyi.However,itwasperceivedassomewhat intimidating by the IDPs. Therefore,a follow-upmeetingwasheldatMuThe,muchcloser to thepilotprojectarea,on11July.Thisconsultation involved substantive discussionsbetween Myanmar Government (Bago RegionSecurity and Border Affairs Minister) and Army(battalion commander),KNU/KNLA (3rdBrigadeCommander, KNU District and TownshipChairmen),andabout30representativesoftheIDPcommunity.Aswell asbriefing thebeneficiariesregarding progress on the project, this forumprovided opportunities for all sides to expresstheir interestsandconcerns.Thesignificanceofthisencounterisrepresentedbyaquestionfromone IDP leader to the Myanmar Army Colonel/Bago RegionMinister: “can you guarantee thatyouwillnotburndownourvillagesinthefuture?”The Minister replied that the Myanmar Armywouldnot,butthatheunderstooditwasdifficultforthecommunitytobelievethis.Hesaidthathispresenceatthismeetingwassymbolicofanewgovernmentwillingnesstomakepeace,andthathe believed that trustwould be built over time,throughtheprojectsweweretheretodiscuss.

During an MPSI monitoring visit in September2012, a joint meeting was held with the BagoRegion Border Affairs and Security Minister, aColonelfromtheMyanmarArmy,aLt-ColonelfromKNDO(amilitaryarmoftheKNU),twoTownshipOfficers from the KNU, CIDKP officials andapproximately30IDPSfromKehDer.Thismeeting– and others like it – permitted communitiesliving in KNU-controlled areas to speak directlyto representativesof theMyanmarGovernment,to express their concerns and directly ask forassurances for their safety. The villagers toldthe visiting Government Minister that they feltintimidatedby theMyanmarArmy’squestioningwhen they had to travel through Government-controlledterritory.WhiletheMinisterwasinitiallydefensive, after listening to the Karen villagers,he issued direct orders to the Colonel for histroopstominimizesuchquestioninginthefuture.Sincethen,IDPsreportthattheyhavebeenableto collect the assistance items – which weredistributedclosetoaGovernmentmilitarycamp,duetodifficultiessendingsuppliesthroughtothe

projectsiteduringtherainyseason–withoutanyhindrances.

In November 2012 a final monitoring trip wasundertaken with the aim of assessing projectimpact and future prospects. Interviews wereconductedwiththeMyanmarArmy,KNUleadersfromMuTheandofficersfromKNLA3rdBrigade,which revealed that military authorities on bothsides were positive and optimistic about “thestrength of the peace [at the project sites]”.In their report on the monitoring trip, CIDKPrelayedtheviewof localKNUcommanders(liketheKNDOLt-Colonel,who considered the pilotprojecttohavebroughtmanybenefitstothearea,andstrengthenedthetrust-buildingbetweenthedifferentpartiesduringthefirstphaseofthepeaceprocess.AccordingtotheLt-Col,“IDPscannowliveinastablesituation,theceasefirehasreducedpeople’sfear,andIDPscantestthesituationandreturn to their own villages. Moreover, the pilotproject providesmore cooperation between themilitary,theGovernmentandtheKNU.”AlthoughIDPs interviewed during themonitoringmissionclearlyexpressedanincreasedfeelingofsecurity,somealsovoicedconcernsrelatedtothepeaceprocess. Many were worried that the ceasefirewouldeventuallycollapse,generatingnewroundsofmilitary action.Similar viewswere expressedduring the January 2013 evaluation of the pilotproject.

In September 2013, a second phase beganimplementation, inKehDerand threeadditionallocations: Kwi La (another IDP Village Tractadjacent to Ker Der) and two ‘relocation sites’in Government-controlled areas. The secondphase focused more on livelihoods support,with CIDKP, KORD and other CBOs workingto help conflict-affected communities test thepossibility of returning to their original villagesand re-establishing their traditional livelihood.A key peace-building element here is to workwithcommunities,toexploreandusethespaceavailable in the peace process, to help localpeople takegreatercontrolover theirown lives,andcommunitydevelopmentactivities.However,in Keh Der and Kwi La, progress towards fullrehabilitationoftheiroriginalvillageareahasbeenlimitedbythecontinuedpresenceoflandmines.

Tanintharyi - Dawei and Palaw Pilot

Project area:KyaikPeeLaungandThaMaePlaw,twosmallsitessouthofMyittaandeastofPalaw


Township, Tanintharyi Region; with expansiontocover twoadditional sites inphase2, furtherto the south and east in KNU-controlled areas,wherepopulationhasbeen ‘in-hiding’ since thelate-1990s

Time-frame: November 2012 to October 2013(phase1)and2014(phase2tbc)

Project partners: Tanintharyi Karen PeaceSupport Initiative (TKPSI, consortium of keystakeholders in Tanintharyi including CIDKP,KarenDevelopmentNetwork(KDN),theCatholicand Baptist churches, and the KNU ceasefireLiaisonOfficeinDawei),withNPAsupport.

Project fund support:$266,260(phase1);fundingstillrequiredforphase2

Donors: Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs andNorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairs

MPSI input: - HIGH - Establishing consortiumsand platforms, Brokering access to conflict-affected areas, Supporting local partners toformulateactionsandbudgetsintermsrequiredbyfunders,andLinkingdonorsandimplementingpartners

•Helps1135conflict-affectedindividualsrebuildand rehabilitate their lives, facilitates dialogueamong key stakeholders, and supports trust-buildingamonglocalCBOs.Basedonrequestsfrom KNU and CBOs, and consultations withaffectedcommunities,anddiscussedwithandagreedbytheTanintharyiRegionChiefMinister.

Political context

AttherequestoftheKNU,asecondKarenpilotproject was implemented in KNLA 4th BrigadeareasineasternPalaw(ThaMaePlaw)andsouthofMyitta(KyaikPeeLaung),inTanintharyiRegion.Following a series of inception workshopsfacilitated by MPSI, a needs assessment wascarriedout,and theprojectbegan inNovember2012. The project was implemented by aconsortium of CBOs, some with experienceof working from inside Myanmar (e.g. KarenDevelopment Network (KDN) and the CatholicBaptist churches) and some cross-border.The Tanintharyi Karen Peace Support Initiative(TKPSI)consortiumincludestheKNU,CIDKP,theYangon-basedKarenDevelopmentNetwork,andthe local (DaweiandMyeik-Palaw)CatholicandKarenBaptistchurches.

Project activities

With support from NPA, the TKPSI has soughtto address some of the most pressing needsarticulated by the 1353 conflict-affected peoplein these two locations. The first phase of theproject included the provision of short-termfood security and livelihood assistance, basichouseholditems, improvedaccesstowaterandsanitation, education support, psycho-socialsupport initiatives (through a series of traumahealingworkshops),andmobilisingandcapacitybuilding of communities (through communityconsultations).Afollow-upevaluationandneedsassessmentwasconductedinSeptember2013,leading to the development of a second phaseTKPSI proposal, deepening support to conflict-affectedcommunitiesintheoriginaltwolocations,andbeginningworkintwomorelocations,furtherto the South in KNU-controlled areas, wherevulnerable IDP populations have been living inhidingformorethanadecade.


One key difference between theKyaukKyi andTKPSIpilotprojectisthatthelatterisimplementedby a broader range of local partners, includingorganisations based both ‘inside’ Myanmar,and theCIDKP,whichbefore theKNUceasefireoperated cross-border. Both of the Karen pilotprojects have allowed the CIDKP to open localoffices in government-controlled areas, andbegin a process of normalising its presenceinsidethecountry. Inadevelopment,whichhasdonemuch tobuild trust andconfidence in thepeaceprocess,CIDKPpersonnelcannowtraveland operate freely inside Myanmar, whereaspreviously theywouldhave facedarrest (due totheircloseassociationwiththeKNU).

Monitoring and evaluation visits, includingextensive discussions with beneficiarycommunities,indicatethattheceasefirebetweenthe KNU and the Myanmar Government/ArmyhasbroughtmanybenefitstothecommunitiesatKyaikPeeLaungandThaMaePlaw,afterdecadesof isolation. These include greatly improvedfreedomofmovementandaccesstoinformation,andalsoasignificantreductioninfear-whichhasallowedmanyofthescatteredcommunityinthejunglearoundThaMaePlawtobegin(tentatively)toreturntotheiroldvillage(fromwhichtheyfledin1997).Evaluations indicate thatasa resultofthepilotproject,peoplefeelmoreconfidentinthe


prospectsofapeacefulandsecurelife,andmoreengagedwith the outside world. However, theceasefirehasalsobroughtwith itnewproblemsforthesecommunities.

InearlyFebruary2013GovernmentofficialsfromtheMyittaTownshipForestryDepartmentvisitedKyaikPeeLaung, to informvillagersofplans todemarcate protected forestry areas around thevillage. The implications of this reclassificationmay mean that villagers will be excluded fromtheir land and prevented from farming, whileconcessionsaregrantedtoagriculturalplantationcompanies.Inrecentmonths,theirfearsregardingland-grabbingwererealised,whenlocalfarmlandwas occupied by a rubber plantation company.One family told TKPSI that, “We can now livewithoutfearbecauseofceasefireprocess…Wearehappyandwethinknowwecanworkonourfarmsfreely.Unfortunately,welostourlandagainbecauseoftheintrusionoftheRubberCompany.We can do nothing. They said they have gotpermission from Government to work on thisland.Theyalsosaidtheselandsdonotbelongtousbecausewedonothaveanylegalownershipdocument.”

Bothoftheprojectareasare inconflict-affectedethnicareas,regardedbyethniccommunitiesandtheKNUassubjecttocustomarylandownershippractices. People in Tha Mae Plaw communityarealsoworriedaboutincominginvestmentfrommining and forestry companies.Repeated visitsby authorities (including local Government andSpecialBranchpolice)areperceivedasintrusive,and have created great concern. Furthermore,inSeptemberandOctober2013MyanmarArmycolumns passed close by or through Tha MaePlaw, causing great anxiety to the community.At a community meeting with the TKPSI, onevillager said, “we had to flee our villages andlivelihoodareasandwanderingandhidinginthejungleformanyyearsandnowwethinktherewillbe no fighting between Government and KNUsowethinkmightbeabletorebuildouroriginalvillages.Whilewearetrying,alotofgroupsfromGovernment side and also business enterprisesthat we have never seen before come to ourplaceand takeourpictures, testour lands,andweknownothingwhattheyaredoingtous.Iftheytreatuslikethat,wethink,thingswillbedifficultforusandtherewillbenofreedomforustosettlebackhereinouroriginalplace.Sothebestwayis

togobacktothejungle.Thereseemstobemorepeaceinthejungle.”

Thus, while conflict-affected communities inTanintharyi welcome the benefits of peace,they also fear that the ceasefire will bring withit increased land-grabbing by well-connectedcompanies (incollusionwithboth theKNU,andlocalGovernmentandMyanmarArmyauthorities).Furthermore, there is a fear on thepart of bothcommunities and Ethnic Armed Groups thatthe Government is using the peace process toexpand and extend its authority into previouslyinaccessible areas. As most communities stillregardtheGovernmentasnotrepresentingthem,andhavefordecadesexperiencedtheMyanmarArmy as a violent and predatory force, theseconcerns threaten to seriously undermine trustandconfidenceinthepeaceprocess.MPSIhasworked with NPA and TKPSI to explore theseissues, and help communities to access betterinformation about Government plans in theirareas, and to draw national and internationalattentiontothewaytheapplicationofnewlandlaws may jeopardise the benefits of the peaceprocess to local communities and perhaps thepeaceprocessitself.

It is intended that these issues will be furtherexplored inphase2of theTKPSIpilotprojects.In2014,theTKPSIplanstoextenditsactivitiestoworkwithIDPs‘in-hiding’inthejunglesofsouthernTanintharyi, working with highly vulnerablecommunitiestoassistintheirrehabilitation,thustestingcommitment to,andbuildingconfidencein,thepeaceprocess.

Mon - Kroeng Batoi Pilot

Project area: Four villages in Kroeng Batoiarea, Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, withexpansiontocoverfiveadditionalsitesinphase2

Time-frame: July 2012 (needs assessment);JanuarytoAugust2013(phase1);2014(phase2,time-frametbc)

Project partners: Kroeng Batoi Pilot ProjectWorking Group (consortium of Mon CBOs andNMSPdepartments),withNPAandInternationalLabourOrganisation(ILO)support

Project fund support:$85,675(phase1);fundingrequiredforphase2

Donor:NorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairs


MPSI input: - HIGH - Establishing consortiumsand platforms, Brokering access to conflict-affected areas, Supporting local partners toformulateactionsandbudgetsintermsrequiredby funders, Linking donors and implementingpartners

•Provides assistance to conflict-affected com-munities in four villages under the control ofNMSP: awareness raising and communitymobilization,women’s empowerment, improv-ing livelihoods of communities and improvingaccess to WASH, health and education ser-vices.PlannedandimplementedinpartnershipwithconsortiumofMonCBOsandNMSP

Political context

The New Mon State Party (NMSP) renewedits ceasefire with the Myanmar Government inFebruary2012andfurthertalkswereheldinApril2012.WhileMoncommunitiescontinue tohavedoubtsabouttheceasefireandnewgovernment,local civil society organizations neverthelesssee the renewed ceasefire as an opportunity toprovide much-needed assistance to conflict-affectedcommunities inareasunder thecontroloftheNMSP.

Project activities

MPSIhassupportedtheformationofaconsortiumof9organisations-theKroengBatoiPilotProjectWorkingGroup-includinglocalcivilsocietygroups(bothcross-borderandbased‘inside’Myanmar),the NMSP and key NMSP line-departments(health,education).Thisisthefirsttimethatmanyof these organisations have worked together.Somehaveclose linkswithNMSP,whileothersare more independent. The Krong Batoi pilotprovidesan importantopportunity tostrengthencommunications and the relationship betweenthe NMSP, its departments, and with local civilsociety organisations. A key administrative roleintheprojectisplayedbytheRehmonyaPeaceFoundation,anewNMSPled-body.

In July 2012 the newly-established consortiumcollaboratedonaneedsassessmentofconflict-affected communities living in KroengBatoi, anareaselectedbyNMSP.IncontrasttotheKyaukKyi pilot, the assessment revealed that 96% ofvillagers,manyofwhomareIDPs,wishedtostayin their current villages.Theneedsassessment,and a follow-up field visit in October 2012,revealedthateachofthefourvillagesinthetarget

area lackedaproperwatersupply,andvillagerswerealsoinneedofgeneraleducationrelatedtohealthandhygiene.Furthermore,villagersdidnothaveaclearunderstandingorvisionforthelong-termdevelopmentoftheircommunity,anddidnotvaluewomen’sparticipationindevelopmentworkorvillageaffairs.Asapartofthevisit,discussionswereheldwiththelocalNMSPleadership,villageleaders and community representatives whichrevealed that the confidence in the ceasefireagreement was fairly strong, although politicaldialoguewasviewedastheonlysustainablewaytobringinglastingpeace.

InJanuary2013 thepilotprojectwasstarted infour villages in theKroengBatoi area, in YebyuTownship in NMSP-controlled areas in northernTanintharyi Region, with a target populationof 1355 people (357 households). The firstphase focussedonaccess towater,communityempowerment,awareness-raising,andwomen’sleadership training. The ILO and NPA providedcapacity-building and technical support tothe local organisations, with the ILO lendingits experience regarding rights-based localinfrastructuredevelopment.


Inthefirstmonitoringvisit,undertakeninFebruary2013(onemonthaftertheprojectstarted),focusgroupdiscussionswithvillagersrevealedthatthepresence of foreign aid workers was regardedas signalling that there was greater security tolive and travel in the area. Village DevelopmentCommitteeshadbeen formed,with 60%of theelected committee members being women (animportant step for enhancing women’s futureparticipation in decision-making). Food securityappeared to be the most pressing need of thevillagers.

An evaluation and follow-up needs assessmentwereconductedoverthe2013rainyseason.Initialfindings indicate that community empowermentandawarenessraisingelementshavebeenhighlysuccessful, giving local people (and particularlywomen) a greater say in development activitiesandaspectsofgovernanceinthishighlyconflict-affected area. The supply of water to theseremote villages has been another importantoutcome, to which villagers responded verypositively. Furthermore, local perceptions ofthe safety/security situation in their area haveincreased.This isalsodue to thedistributionof


MyanmaridentitycardsinKrongBatoiareabytheTanintharyiRegionauthorities.

Theproposalforthesecondstageoftheprojectis being developed, as of mid-March 2014.The project area will be expanded to coverfive additional villages, with a greater focus onlocally appropriate infrastructure development,community mobilising trainings and livelihoodsupport.

Kayah/Karenni - Shadaw Pilot

Project area: Ten villages in Shadaw Township,KayahState,Myanmar

Time-frame:September2013toJune2014

Project partner: Kainayah Rural SocialDevelopmentOrganisation

Project fund support:$79,000

Donor:FinnishMinistryofForeignAffairs

MPSI input: - MEDIUM - Supporting localpartners to formulate actions and budgets interms required by funders, and Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•Supports returning IDPs ina remoteanddiffi-cult-to-access area to recover traditional landand livelihoods, emphasising the empower-mentofthelocalpeople;approvedatthelocalandStatelevelandbytheKNPP.

Political context

The ceasefire between Karenni NationalProgressive Party (KNPP) and the MyanmarGovernmentemergedthroughaseriesofmeetingsstartinginlate2011andcontinuingthrough2012.IntheUnionlevelagreement,bothsidesagreedto discuss the systematic resettlement of IDPs.Furthermeetingswereheldin2013,includingthemostrecentroundoftalksinOctober.

MPSI became aware of the emerging trend ofspontaneousreturnofIDPsintheShadawarea,withvillagersattemptingtoreturntotheiroldhomearea after a very long period of displacement.The IDPs’ old village areas were overgrown bythejungle,butnotaffectedbylandmines.AlocalCBO, the Kainayah Rural Social DevelopmentOrganisation, with experience of participatorydevelopment approachesandworking inKayahvillages, had been approached by the localpeople for emergency assistance. Recognising

the ‘self-reliant’ outlook of a very traditionalcommunity, and the daunting task facing theminattemptingtorecovertheirlostlivelihoodsandvillagers, MPSI was approached by the CBOfor support. Themain consideration ofMPSI inrecommending that this project be supportedwastoencouragetheemergenceofinternationalfundingthatwouldempowerpeoplemakingtheirowndecisionsaboutpost-displacementsolutions(with assistance from an appropriate CBO) thatwouldhelp to consolidate thegroup’s cohesionandself-reliance.

Project activities

Thisprojectseekstoproviderecoveryassistanceto 251 IDP households, with a total populationof1431,seeking to re-establish their lives in10villages in Shadaw Township. The target areais a series of scattered villages in quite remoteand inaccessible areas. Where the only otheragencybeginningtoworkisUNHCR,whichhasstartedprovidingwaterandsanitationfacilitiesinselectedvillages.

TheprojectsupportsthereturningIDPstorecovertraditional land and livelihoods, emphasisingthe empowerment of local people. The projectre-introduces the traditional collective rice-bank,whichinthepastwasusedforsupportingtraditionalcelebrations,andwhichisproposedtobereintroducedandre-orientedaroundcollectivefood security. Other activities include provisionof seeds and the introduction of a ‘seed-bank’in order to promote the community’s own self-sufficiency; community rebuilding of primaryschools;communityhealthworkertrainingtoonelocalwoman,in5ofthe10projectvillages;anda collective process for planning improvementandprotectionoflocalwatersourceswithgreaterawarenessofthedangerofwater-bornediseases.

Karen – DKBA pilot

Project area:DKBAceasefireareas:Hlaingbwe,Kawkareik,Myawaddy&YeTownships

Time-frame:March2014-December2014

Project partner: Karen Community BasedNetwork Group (KCBNG), DKBA and Klo-HtooBawOrganization(KKO)

Project fund support: $100,000-120,000(indicativesumrequired)


Donor: Project in planning phase. Funding stillrequired.

MPSI input: - HIGH -Establishingconsortiaandplatforms; Brokering access to conflict-affectedareas; Supporting local partners to formulateactionsandbudgetsintermsrequiredbyfunders;Linkingdonorsandimplementingpartners.

•Theprojectseekstoprovidequalityandethni-callysensitiveeducation,whichwillcontributetotheongoingpeaceprocessandincreasethecapacityofcivilsocietyinDKBArelatedareas.

Political context

The DKBA signed a ceasefire agreement withthe Government on 3 November 2011, after aone-yearperiodoffiercefightingontheground.Theagreement includeda commitment toworktogether on development projects. The DKBAandcivil societyactors in its relatedareashaveforthemostpartbeenisolatedfromhumanitarianandinternationalactorsinthepast.Apilotprojectproposal has been developed through variousconsultationmeetingsofcivilsocietyandDKBAleaders at the endof 2013,with the assistanceof MPSI. Participants of the meetings camefrom 4 different DKBA related areas, includingYe,Kawkareik,MaeThaWaandSonseemyaing.They reported that the overall living situationafter the ceasefire has improved. Challengeshowever remain in relation to Myanmar ArmypresenceinDKBAareasandtheusageofforcedlabour. The overall socio-economic situation inDKBAcontrolledareashasmostly not changedand investments in social services (education&health)remainlow.Participantsmentionedthatitisdifficult toplan for the future, as theydonotknowifpeacewillprevail.

Project activities

Theprojectseekstoprovidequalityandethnicallysensitive education, which will contribute tothe ongoing peace process and increase thecapacityofcivilsocietyinDKBArelatedareas.InSeptemberandOctober2013MPSIimplementedtwo workshops with DKBA, Klo-Htoo BawOrganization(KKO)andcivilsocietymembersoftheregion,toexplorethepossibilityofestablishingapilotprojectintheirareasofauthority.Througha participatory approach participants identifiededucation as being the primary need in DKBArelated areas. Hence, a needs assessmentwasconducted to identify educational needs in the

four target regions.Project implementationswillbe led by KCBNG and will focus on 2 schoolconstructions, establishment of parent-teacherassociations, school garden trainings, health &hygienetrainingsforstudentsandschoolmaterialsupport. In addition, various capacity buildingworkshopswill be held in order to upgrade thecapacity and knowledge of civil society actorsin DKBA related areas. Direct beneficiaries ofthe project include approximately 3.600 schoolchildren and 180 teachers. The communityownership of the project is strong and DKBAis providing an open space for the communityparticipationintheproject.

Theprojectisatfundingstage(asofmid-March2014).

ID Card Programme

Project area: Conflict-affected, ceasefire andEthnicArmedGroups-controlledareas inKaren,Kayah(Karenni),MonandsouthernShanStates

Time-frame:July2012-ongoing

Project partners:NorwegianRefugeeCouncil inconjunctionwiththeMinistryofImmigrationandPopulation

Project fund support: $1,992,000 (as of 30August2013)

Donors: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,AusAid, Swiss Development Corporation andEuropeAid

MPSI input: - LOW - Brokering access toconflict-affected areas, and Linking donors andimplementingpartners

• Issues Citizenship Scrutiny Cards to remoteand conflict-affected communities, who cur-rently lack ID cards, in areas determined byagreementbetweentheMyanmarGovernment,Ethnic Armed Groups and communities. IDcardsissuedbytheMinistryofImmigrationandPopulation.

Political context

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) hassupported the Ministry of Immigration andPopulation in issuingCitizenScrutinyCards (fullMyanmarIDcards),tocommunitiesinremoteandconflict-affected areas. To do so, NRC and thegovernmenthaveestablisheda ‘one-stopshop’model that covers, free of charge, all the steps


involved in issuing the Citizen Scrutiny Cardsonthesameday.MPSIhasprovidedsupport inmobilisingfundingforthiswork,andhelpedNRCtogainaccesstoconflict-affected(includingpilotproject)areas.

Project activities

From June 2012 to September 2013, 79,399national identitycardswereissuedtocitizensinconflict-affectedareasofKarenState,14,402IDcardswereissuedinKayahStatefromNovember2012toSeptember2013,andforsouthernShanState11,038IDcardswereissuedfromApril2013to September 2013. Plans are commencing forsouth-easternShanStateandTanintharyiRegion.


In many armed conflict-affected areas ofMyanmar (which in some cases have not beenunderstatecontrolsincebefore independence),localpeopleoftenhaveeitherlosttheirofficialIDdocumentationorhavenothadaccesstopublicservicesduetotheirdisplacementasaresultoftheconflict.Lackof IDdocumentationmakes itdifficultanddangeroustotraveltoGovernment-controlled areas, and impossible for people toaccessGovernmentorotherservices,ortobeginthetaskofholdingStateauthoritiestoaccount.The provision of ID cards therefore allowsdisplacedpeopletobeginaccessingbasicrights,such as voting and enrolling children in school.Prior to implementation of the ID card project,ifvillagerswantedtoacquireIDcards,theyhadto suspend their livelihood activities, and travelto government offices at their own expenseandpersonal risk, both to apply and to receivethecardatalaterdate,pluspaytheassociatedcosts. Villagers in many areas where MPSIworks have stated the importance of receivingID cards, and how this contributes significantlytowards building their trust and confidence inthepeaceprocess.Nevertheless,therearesomepotentialrisksassociatedwithNRCassistingtheGovernmentinprovidingIDcardstopeoplelivinginareasundertheauthorityoftheEthnicArmedGroups.Inpractice,theinternationalcommunityis partnering the Government in the extensionof state-led activities into previously (quasi-)autonomousareas,undertheauthorityofEthnicArmedGroups.Asnotedabove,thispenetrationofthestateintopreviouslyinaccessibleareascanbe perceived as threatening by vulnerable localcommunities, as well as Ethnic Armed Groups

andcivilsocietyactors.Inthiscontext,MPSIhassoughttofacilitatecontactsbetweenNRC,localcommunitiesandEthnicArmedGroups(e.g.theKNU), in order to ensure the implementation ofthis project is not viewed with hostility, and toengageEthnicArmedGroupsaskeystakeholdersinthepeaceprocess,intheirroleasdefactolocalauthoritiesinremote,conflict-affectedareas.

Approach 2: Building trust and confidence, and testing the peace process - Supporting consultations and dialogue between Ethnic Armed Groups, political parties, CSOs and communities

NMSP Consultation Process

Project area:Mon-populatedareasinMonStateandadjacentpartsofKarenStateandTanintharyiRegion

Time-frame:June2012toJuly2013

Project partners:NMSP,withNPAsupport


Donors: Ministry for Development Cooperationof the Netherlands and Norwegian Ministry ofForeignAffairs


•Promoted greater mutual understanding andcooperation regarding the peace processamongstNMSP,Moncommunities,civilsocietyorganisationsandpoliticalparties.

Political context

The NMSP re-confirmed its ceasefire with theMyanmar Government in February 2012, andfurthertalkswereheldinApril2012.Asapartoftherenewaloftheceasefireagreement,theNMSPandrepresentativesfromtheGovernmentagreedtoopen10NMSPceasefireLiaisonOffices.

Project activities

MPSI has supported the NMSP’s plan to carryoutasubstantialconsultationprocess, involvingover400meetingswithcommunities,CBOs,Monpoliticalpartiesandlocalauthorities,heldbetween


June2012andJuly2013.Theobjectivesof thecommunity consultations were to strengthennetworks between NMSP and different Moncommunities;forNMSPtocooperatewithvariousMon community leaders, CBOs and religiousleaderstoexploreandsupportreconciliationandconflict resolution; to disseminate informationregarding the peace process and politicaldevelopment; and for the NMSP to be betterinformed about Mon communities’ hopes andconcerns regarding the peace process. Themeetingswereorganisedbythestaffof10NMSPceasefireLiaisonOffices,andledbyseniorNMSPofficials. In implementing this project, NMSP isworking with the Mon Women’s Organisation(MWO)toprovidesupportforfinancialaccountingand reporting, and ensure that the voices andconcerns of women and othermarginal groupsare included. NPA is also providing technicaladvice,andachannelforfunding.


IntheirinterimnarrativereportinFebruary2013,theNMSPoutlinedanumberofconcernsandhopesraised by communities during consultations. Inresponse,theMonNationalLiberationArmyhadorganisedaseminartoreviewitsproceduresandthe NMSP has launched a rural developmentprogramme, as requested by communities.Communities expressed their concern at thegrowingprevalenceofdrugs(methamphetamines)intheirareas.MPSIhasrespondedbyintroducingNMSPtoappropriateharm-reductionNGOs,andfunding aworkshopondrug issues, (supportedby NPA). The consultations revealed that Moncommunities see a political settlement toMyanmar’sethnicconflictsasessential,andalsowanttoseereconciliationbetweentheNMSPandarmedfactionswhichhavesplitfromthepartyinthepast- issueswhichhavebeenprioritisedbytheNMSPleadership.

TheNMSP andMonCBOs reported that somevillagers fearedtoparticipate in,orevenattend,the consultation meetings, because theywere afraid of punishment and fines by Stateauthorities,duetotheUnlawfulAssociationAct.Themitigationstrategywastoextendtheinvitationfor the consultation meetings through localCBOs,sothatthevillagersdidnotneedtohavedirect contact with NMSP. In June 2013NMSPreported that villagers had participated moreactivelyinthelatestroundofmeetings,andthat

the consultations had improved communicationchannelsbetweenNMSPandcommunities.

Prior to project starting, the NMSP CentralExecutive Committee had developed guidelinesfor its interactions with communities. Theseincluded presentations onNMSP policy, but nofeedbacksessionsfromthecommunities.Duringthe project, the approach changed,withNMSPleaders encouraging villagers to ask questions,and provide feedback and suggestions. Theproject also improved the cooperation andcoordinationamongtheNMSPconsultationteammembers.Beforetheproject,theleadersdidnothaveanyexperienceinconsultationsessionsandtheydidnotknowhowtofacilitatesuchmeetings.Aftereachconsultationround,theleaderssharedtheir experiences and discussed the issuesraised, which contributed to strengthening theinternal cooperation and coordination in NMSP.As a result of the consultations, the NMSP’sunderstanding of the needs ofMon people hasimproved,andtheNMSPisnowworkingcloselytogetherwithvariousMonorganisationsandMoncommunitiesonaseriesofprojects(e.g.theMonNationalConference,seebelow).

ItwasobservedbyNMSPleadersandtheMWOthatinformation-sharingduringtheconsultationsimproved the villagers’ understanding andawareness of the peace process, and politicalsituation.Villagerswereencouragedtoquestionthe leadership, and participatemore in politicaldiscussions and decision-making in theirareas. The NMSP has become better informedregardingthehopesandconcernsofMonethniccommunities, allowing it to represent theseviews in forthcoming political dialogue with theGovernmentandotherstakeholdersinMyanmar.

The consultation meetings have resulted in anumber of subsequent projects and activitiesinitiatedbyNMSP,asrequestedbycommunities:

•During all consultation meetings the villagerscomplainedaboutwidespreaddrugsproblems.TheNMSPhassoughttoaddressthisissueby:1)Initiatingdrugawarenesstrainingsandwork-shopforNMSPmembers,CBOrepresentativesandvillageleaders(supportedbyNPA);and2)Amendment ofNMSPdrugs laws to enhanceprosecutionofdrugdealers.

•The villagers also raised two distinct kinds ofconcerns regarding land issues: landdisputesamongvillagersthemselves,andland-grabbing


by the Government and Myanmar Army, andprivate companies. TheNMSPhas raised thelaterissueinallmeetingswiththeGovernment,andisplanningtolaunchaGPSprogrammetodocumentvillagers’landownership.

• Insomeareas,villagerscomplainedaboutland-mines. A Mine Risk Education project, sup-portedbyNPAandDCA,hasbeen launched.NMSP has also submitted a request for aNon-Technical Survey to the MPC, and theGovernment has accepted this (see detailsbelow).

•Villagers expressed their desire that the twoMonpoliticalparties(theMonDemocracyPartyandAllMonRegional Democracy Party) formasingleparty.TheNMSPhasfacilitatedmeet-ingsbetweenthetwoparties,butthisisasen-sitiveissueanddiscussionsarestillinprocess.In response to the request forMon unity, theNMSP organised a Mon National Conferencejointly with Mon political parties and MonCBOs. The MPSI-supported conference washeld inMawlamyine in28-30September2013(seebelow).

•The NMSP consultation team collected doc-umentation of human rights abuses, andreported these to ceasefireLiaisonOffices. Insomecases,thedisputeswereresolvedattheTownship level and in other cases the com-plaintsweresubmittedtotheUnionlevel.

•During consultation meetings, Mon CBOsrequestedcapacity-buildingtraining.TheNMSPinitiateda6-weekcapacity-buildingtrainingforyouthfromCBOs,withsupportfromNPA.Thetrainingsincludedaninternshipfor20youthatNMSP’sSangkhlaburiceasefireLiaisonOfficesandheadquarters.

Future community consultations are likelyto be issues-based (e.g. on federalism andconstitutionalchange).TheNMSPisalsolookingtobuildthreecommunityhalls,tobelocatednearceasefireLiaisonOfficesinMawlamyine,YeandThanphyuzayat,tocreateaspaceforcivilsocietytomeetandorganiseactivities.

Mon National Conference

Project area:Mawlamyine,MonState

Time-frame:28-30September2013

Project partner: Mon National ConferenceWorkingCommittee


Donor:NorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairs,viaNPA


•BroughttogetherabroadrangeofMonstake-holders(includingNMSP,Monpoliticalparties,MonCBOsandreligiousleader)toshareopin-ions, discuss problems and issues facing thecommunities,andbuildmutualtrustandunder-standingamongeachother.

Political context

During theNMSPcommunityconsultations (seeabove) it was decided to hold a Mon NationalConference,tocontinuetheengagementbetweendifferentstakeholdersintheMonpeaceprocess.Such a gathering ofMon stakeholders had notpreviously been possible due to the politicalsituationandarmedconflictinthecountry.

Project activities

Theconferencewasheldfrom28-30September2013inMawlamyine,thecapitalofMonState.TheconferencewasbeenplannedandorganisedbyaMonNationalConferenceWorkingCommitteewhichiscomprisedofthefollowingorganisations:NMSP, All Mon Democratic Party and MonDemocratic Party, and 9 representatives fromvariouscommunity-basedorganisations.Theaimof theMon National Conference was to enableMonleaders, includingMonpoliticalparties,theNMSP, civil society organisations and religiousleaderstocometogether,shareopinions,discussproblemsand issues facingthecommunity,andbuildmutualtrustandunderstanding.


Atotalof343participantsattendedtheconference,with an additional 84 observers and academicsfromvariousorganisations.Participantsdiscussedhow political parties, armed groups and civilsociety can contribute to thepeaceprocess, inordertobringlastingandgenuinepeaceinMonpopulatedareasand then to thewholecountry.Several strategic papers/documents had beenprepared by participating organisations on thetopics of sustainable peace, political issues,problems facing the community, ethnic identity,


unity,education,womenparticipationindecision-makingandthepeaceprocessandtheresultsofthecommunityconsultations.Thesepaperswereused as background and starting point for thediscussions at the conference. The conferencewasusedtoplanforaMonNationalConvention,expectedtobeheldinJanuary2014.

Chin Consultation Process and IT for Chin schools

Project area:ChinState andChin communitiesinotherareas

Time-frame:April2013toMarch2014

Project partner:ChinNationalFront


Donors: DanishMinistry of Foreign Affairs, andNorwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via NIS(Norwegianfundingcoveringadditionalcosts)


• -Implementstwospecificclausesinthecease-fireagreementbetweenCNFandGovernment:

1.FacilitatesaseriesofconsultationsbetweentheCNFandChincommunities;

2.Provides Internet connection and computercentresto30ChinHighSchools,incollabo-rationwiththeChinStateGovernment.

(NB:$35,000fromthisprojectisallocatedtotheChinNationalConference-seebelow)

Political context

ChinStateisthepoorestandleastdevelopedintheUnion.TheCNFwasthefirstarmedgrouptoformallysignaceasefireagreementwiththeTheinSein Government, on 6 January 2012. Anothertwoagreementsfocusingonimplementationweresigned inMay andDecember 2012. Twoof thespecific clauses in the ceasefire agreement arethatCNFcanholdconsultationswiththediverseChinpublic,andthatinitialdevelopmentprojectsshouldbeundertaken, tostrengthencommunityinfrastructureandhelpovercomeisolation.

Project activities

This project aims: 1) to facilitate a series ofconsultationswithcommunities,tobeconducted

by the CNF in partnership with Chin politicalpartiesandcivilsocietygroups,inordertobetterunderstand local concerns and aspirations inrelation toanticipatedpoliticalnegotiations;and2) with the agreement and cooperation of theState Government, to provide 30 high schoolsinChinStatewithInternetaccessandcomputercentresasameansofovercomingtheisolationofremotecommunities.


The project was started in April 2013, and inOctober 2013 the first progress report wasfinalised.Duringthisperiod,anumberofactivitieshave been implemented. Eight staff membershavebeenrecruitedfortheprojectand30targetschoolshavebeenselected(withatotalof12,463studentsin8thstandardandabove).

In April 2013 a training workshop was held inAizawl (India) for the facilitating team for thepublic consultations. During the workshop, theparticipants developed questionnaires to beused during the public consultations, in orderto better understand Chin people’s hopes andconcernsregardingthepeaceprocess.FromMay2013 to October 2013, 57 public consultationswereheld in9TownshipsofChinState.Almost15,000peopleparticipated in the consultations,and about 10,000 answered and returned thequestionnaires. As a part of raising Chin thecommunity’spoliticalawareness,3000copiesofDemocracy, Self-determination and Federalism(by Dr Lian Sakhong) were was reprinted anddistributed.

Followinganopenbiddinground,theCNFsignedacontractwithaveryexperiencedcompany,ThitSa Oo, to provide computers, generators andsatellite Internet connections to the Chin HighSchools.On28August2013theCNFandThitSaOocompanymetwiththeChinChiefMinisterandhiscabinet,todiscusstheimplementationofthefirstphaseofthecomputerandsatelliteInternetcomponent. It was jointly agreed to providecomputersandsatellite Internet tohighschoolstonineChinHighSchoolsunderthefirstphase,and to organise trainingson computer skills forteachersattheseschools.Itwasalsoagreedtoformajointmanagementcommittee,comprisingmembersfromtheChinStateGovernment,CNFandrepresentativesofteachersandparents.TheStateGovernmentofferedtocontribute9,000,000MMK to cover costs for computer desks and


chairs,whichwasnotcoveredbythebudgetfortheproject.Atotalof445computersanddesks/chairshavebeendistributedtotheschools,andall schools have been provided with printers,satelliteInternetandgenerators.

Sofar,publicconsultationshavebeenconvenedin Chin State only, and CNF is preparing forsimilarconsultationswithChincommunitieslivingoutside Chin State. Public consultations havebeen scheduled for Yangon andMandalay andtheregionalGovernmentshaveissuedpermissiontoCNFtoholdtheconsultations.

Chin National Conference

Project area:Hakha,ChinState

Time-frame:12-15November2013

Project partner:ChinAffairsPartnership(networkof9CBOs)

Project fund support: $63,488 (+ $35,000allocatedfromthe‘ChinConsultationsandITforChinSchools’project)

Donor:NorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairs,viaNIS

MPSI input: - LOW - Linking donors andimplementingpartners

•EnabledChinstakeholderstodevelopcommonpositionand internalconsultativemechanismsforthepoliticaldialogueprocess,andstrength-ened mutual understanding and trust in Chincommunities.

Political context

TheChinNationalConferenceaimed todeepenthe peace process, by including the voices ofChinpoliticalpartiesandcivilsocietyactors.TheChin National Front, Chin political parties andChinCBOsjointlyorganisedtheconference,withtheCNF’sfinancialcontributionallocatedfromtheprojecton‘ChinConsultationProcessandITforChinschools’.MPSIwasapproachedbytheChinAffairsPartnership–an independentnetworkofChinCBOs–tohelpsecureadditionalfunding.

Project activities

The Chin National Conference was held 12-15November 2013, bringing together more than570participantsfromCNF,Chinpoliticalparties,Chin State Government and Chin civil society,

including women’s and youth groups, andreligious organisations. The conference endedwith delegates voting to support amending the2008constitution,tobringaboutagenuinefederalsystem. This was unprecedented historically,among a community previously noted for itspoliticalfragmentation.

KNPP Consultation Process

Project area:Kayah(Karenni)State

Time-frame:September2012(stage1);January2013toJune2013(stage2);andNovember2013toApril2014(stage3)

Project partners:KNPP,withNPAsupport

Projectfundsupport:$17,340(stage1);$37,847(stage2)and$22,380+66,390,000MMK(stage3)

Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,funds channelled via NIS (stage 1) and NPA(stages2and3)

MPSI input: - LOW-MEDIUM -Directfacilitationof discussions/consultation, Supporting localpartners to formulate actions and budgets interms required by funders, and Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•OpensadialoguebetweentheKNPPandpub-licaboutthecurrentpoliticalsituationandinitialceasefireagreement,andhelpstoestablishanimplementation system for community-basedceasefireandlocalhumanrightsmonitoring.

Political context

OnMarch7 2012State-level talkswere held inLoikaw and a preliminary ceasefire agreementwassignedbetweentheGovernmentandKNPP.Three months later, on June 9 2012, the firstUnion-level talk was held in Loikaw, and bothpartiessigneda14-pointpreliminaryagreement(based on 20-points originally proposed by theKNPP). On 19-20 June 2013 the KNPP metagain with the government for a second roundofUnion-leveltalk.Thetwopartiesagreedtoaneight-point agreement for implementation of asustainableceasefireandadevelopmentprocessin Karenni State. Further talks were held inOctober2013.AfterthefirstUnion-leveltalk,theKNPPestablishedthreeceasefireLiaisonOfficesinKarenniState;afourthofficewaslateropenedinBawlekhe.


The Government agreed that the KNPP couldconduct consultations and awareness trainingin Karenni State, on the topics of democracy,human rights and constitutional issues. TheKNPP realises the need for transparency andparticipationonthepartofciviliancommunities,inordertomakeprogressinthepeaceprocess.

Project activities

Thisproject facilitatedworkshops for theKNPPand Karenni CBOs, planning for community-basedmonitoringoftheceasefire,andcommunityconsultations. The first stage included a two-dayworkshopwith theKNPP inMaeHongSon(Thailand)inSeptember2012,toexploretheneedsand options for community-based mechanismsto monitor the KNPP-government ceasefire.MPSI facilitated the workshop in partnershipwith a network of 7 Karenni/KayahCBOs (both‘inside’ and ‘outside’ groups). This was a rareopportunityforKNPPandaffiliatedborder-basedCBOstomeet togetherwithCBOsfrom‘inside’the country. Theworkshop contributed towardsstrengthening networkswithin and between thediverseKarennicommunity.

ThesecondstageoftheprojectbeganinJanuary2013,andincludedaseriesofpublicconsultationsin Karenni State, eliciting widespread publicparticipation,aswellasmeetingswithCBOsandpolitical parties. The aims of the consultationswere for KNPP to inform the public about theceasefireagreement;toinformpeopleabouttheKNPP’spoliticalpositionanddevelopmentplans;toencouragethepublictogetinvolvedinformingof both Local Monitoring and Human RightsCommittees;andtolistentosuggestions,needsand concerns in relation to the peace process.The secondstagealso involvedan information-sharing workshop on the Local MonitoringCommittee, which was formed as a follow-upactivitytothefirststageoftheproject.

InNovember2013thethirdstagestarted,underwhich the KNPP will conduct additional publicconsultationsinthreemajortownsand20villages.The KNPP expects at least 20,000 people toparticipate in the consultations. The third stagewill also provide a Training-of-Trainers session,graduates of which will organise an implementawareness-raising workshop, for Karennicommunitiestoenhancetheirparticipationinthepeaceprocess,andworktoprotecttheirrights.


In April 2013 staff from NPA observed Karennicommunity consultationmeetings, and reportedthat communities were encouraged to givefeedbackandcomments-butthatsomepeoplewere afraid to share their views in a publicforum, because they did not yet fully trust theceasefire agreement. At the time of the visit, alocal monitoring team had been formed withcommunity members from Shadaw, Balake,Demawso Townships. In order that the localmonitoring teamremain independent, theKNPPwasnotdirectlyinvolvedinitsformation.

InJune2013theKNPPsubmittedafinalnarrativereport, reporting that the consultations hadincreased the communities’ participation - andtrust-inthepeaceprocess;enabledKNPPtotakeactions on request from community members;had brought some of these requests into thepeacetalksatStateandUnionlevel;andthattheconsultationshadimprovedinteractionsbetweenKNPP, communities and the StateGovernment.TheKNPPreportedthatcommunitiescouldnowtravelandworkwithoutfear.Tworepresentativesfrom the Local Monitoring Committee hadparticipated in each of the consultations, andKNPPreportedthatthishashelptoeasevillagers’concernsregardingthedurabilityoftheceasefire.

Followingarequestfromcommunities,theKNPP’sCentralCommitteeagreedtoreduceitstaxesoncommunities by 50%. Villagers had demandedthat a major dam and hydro-power plant andcement factory project, planned for Ywarthitvillage,shouldnotcontinue.Thevillagersfearedthattheprojectwouldresultinland-grabbingandenvironmentalproblems.TheKNPPbroughtthisupwiththeStateGovernment,anditwasdecidedtosuspendthedamprojectandcement factoryproject.

‘Trust Building for Peace’ Conferences

Project area:LashioandTaunggyi,ShanState

Time-frame:March2013andSeptember2013

Project partners: Working Committee for TrustBuildingforPeace,withNPAsupport


Donors:NorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairsandBritishEmbassy


MPSI input: - LOW - Linking donors andimplementingpartners

•Enabledleadersandmembersofethnicnation-alities political parties and Ethnic ArmedGroupsinShanStateandKayahStatetocometogether,shareopinionsandbuildmutualtrustandunderstanding.

Political context

TheShanandKarenniTrustBuildingconferencesaimed to build mutual understanding amonga broad network of ethnic stakeholders, andexploreoptionsforpoliticalactorstocontributetothepeaceprocess,andthecreationofafederalunion.MPSIplayedanimble role in theproject,helping to secure funding quickly upon requestfromtheorganisingcommittee.

Project activities

InMarch2013aconferencewasheldinLashio,Shan State, organised by a working committeeof ethnic political parties, including the ShanNationalitiesLeagueforDemocracy(SNLD,1990politicalparty)andKNPP.Theconferencebroughttogether235delegatesfrom12politicalparties,11EthnicArmedGroupsand23otherorganisationsfromShanandKayah(Karenni)States,plussomeparticipantsfromelsewhere(e.g.MonState).TheconferencebuiltonapreviousShanstakeholderworkshopheld inNovember 2012 (with fundingorganised by MPSI). Conference participantsbeganthetaskofworkingoutacommonagendaand vision - particularly around the big issuesof federalism and the 2008 constitution. Theconference also created a platform for EthnicArmed Groups to interact in a positive mannerwith political parties and civil society actors,providing a model that could be replicated inotherstates.NorwegiansupportgrantedbyNPAincludedaprocessofcommunityfollow-upaftertheconference.

In September 2013, a second conferencewas held in Taunggyi, Shan State. The aim ofthis conference was to explore how politicalstakeholders in Shan and Kayah States cancollaboratetobuildagenuinefederalunionandtobuild trust inpeaceanddevelopment in theirareas. The conference brought together morethan 300 representatives from more than 50different political parties, society organisationsandEthnicArmedGroups.

Karen District Information-sharing and Planning for Community Development

Project area:Workshops held in Bago, Hpa-anandLayWah

Project time-frame:February2013toJune2013

Project partners: CIDKP, with FLD and NPAsupport



MPSI input: - HIGH - Direct facilitation ofdiscussions/consultations, Supporting localpartners to formulate actions and budgets interms required by funders, and Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•Facilitated consultations among KNU, CIDKPand representatives from KNU Districts oncommunitydevelopmentneedsandopportuni-tiesundertheceasefire.

Political context

Following the initial KNU ceasefire in January2012,CIDKPandKORDinitiatedtwopilotprojects(KyaukKyiandDawei-Palaw-seeabove)designedtoprovideassistancetocommunitiesaffectedbyconflict, and to test the peace process. In late2012 the continuation of the ceasefire process,and the potential to expand and duplicate thepilotprojects,wascalledintoquestionbecauseofKNUinternalpoliticaltensions.Thecommitmentof theKNU to the peaceprocesswas resolvedthrough the KNUCongress of December 2012,and the organisation has resolved to continue,broadenandexpandthepilotprojects, toreachotherconflict-affectedKarencommunities.

Assistancetoconflict-affectedKarencommunitieshas thus far been mostly limited to occasionalemergencysupportandsmall-scalelocalefforts,whichhaveprovidedimportantlearnings.Despiteaspirations to do more however, CIDKP andKORDhavehadlittleopportunitytoexpandtheiractivities-becauseoflimitedcapacities,aswellaspoliticalconstraints.Inacontextofmanyyearsofconflictanddisplacement,therehavebeenverylimitedeffortsby theKNUtobeginplanning forpost-ceasefiredevelopmentactivities.TheKNU,CIDKPandKORDnowenvisagethatanewstageofplanningcanbegin,buildingontheexperienceof the initial pilot projects. It is recognised


that Karen communities in conflict-affectedareas need opportunities to come together toshare information, identify priority needs andpossibleproject locations, and to consider howcommunities can best use assistance to helpreconstructtheircommunities.

Project activities

From February 2013 to June 2013 threeworkshopswereheldtoprovideaplatformfortheKNUandCIDKP(theKNU’sreliefwing)toconsultrepresentatives from the seven KNU Districtsaboutthechangesoccurringsincetheceasefire,and to provide opportunities to begin planningfor the process of recovery from conflict, andlonger-termcommunitydevelopment.Theprojectwas facilitatedbyCIDKP,with support from theFoundationforLocalDevelopmentandNPA.

ThefirstworkshopwasheldinBagoinFebruary2013,with34participantsfromKNUDistricts1,2and3.TheworkshopwasattendedrepresentativesoftheBagoRegionalGovernmentandBagoareaCBOs.Participantsexpressedthattheyandtheircommunities want peace - but they do not yethaveconfidence that thepeaceprocesswill besuccessful.Itwasreportedthatthekeyconcernofcommunitieswassecurity-notassistance-andthatthecommunitiesareasking‘canwetrusttheceasefire?’ParticipantslikedtheMPSIapproachofinitiatingsmallprojectstotestthesincerityofGovernmentandMyanmarArmy,KNUandKNLA,and to build confidence between GovernmentandArmyandthecommunity.TheKyaukKyipilotprojectwasseenassuccessfulbecauseitbroughtthesestakeholderstogethertosolveproblems;itbuilt confidence. The participants revealed thatthere are now less travel restrictions, which isgoodforthecommunity,butmanyoutsidersarenowenteringKarenareasandgrabbingland.

InMay 2013 a second workshop in Pa’an wasattended by 28 people fromKNUDistricts 4, 6and 7. The Karen State Government had beeninvitedtotheopeningceremonyofthisworkshop.However, it emerged after the opening that thelarge delegation of State Government officialsintended to stay throughout theworkshop.Thismeant that information-sharing among KNU,CIDKP and community representatives was notable to be completed. The mitigating strategywas to adjust the program in order to avoidundermining the relationship with government.As a contingency measure, it was planned to

conduct the third planned information-sharingworkshop involving all 7 districts in LayWah intheborderarea.

The third workshop was held at the KNU LayWahheadquarters,inJune2013,attendedby33people.AllsevenKNUDistrictswereinvited,buttheTaungoodistrict(Brigade2)decidednottojointheworkshop,afteritsteamleaderwasinjuredinamotorbikeaccident.AllDistrictspresentattheworkshopreportedproblemswithland-grabbingin their areas; participants agreed that theseproblemscouldbe resolved throughapplicationofcustomarylaw,withpoliticalbackingfromtheKNU. In someDistricts, the KNU provides landdocuments recognizing customary law, but thesituationvariesfromDistricttoDistrict,regardingwhethersuchlanddocumentationisacceptedbythe government. All Districts reported that theyarewaitingtolearnwhethertheCodeofConductnegotiated between the Myanmar governmentandKNUwillbeimplemented,asthisisseenasimportantfordealingwithlandproblems,stabilityand trust-building. The Districts agreed todevelopguide-linesandprinciplesforIDPsreturn/resettlementprogram,andareplanningtosubmita concept paper on humanitarian assistance toCIDKP/KORD.

Ethnic Armed Groups Community Consultations Workshop

Project area: Workshop held in Chiangmai,Thailand

Time-frame:11-12September2013

Project partners:Centre forPeaceandConflictStudies (CPCS) and Ethnic Peace ResourcesProject


Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,fundschannelledviaNIS.

MPSI input: - MEDIUM - Direct facilitation ofdiscussions/consultations, and Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•Facilitated a workshop for CNF, KNPP andNMSP to share experiences from theirMPSI-supportedcommunityconsultationswithlead-ers of other Ethnic Armed Groups and theUNFC, and worked through practical and


political issues, identifying community con-cernsandhighlightingimportantnextsteps.

Project activities

InSeptember2013MPSIconvenedaworkshopinChiangmai, attended by representatives froma number of Ethnic Armed Groups, includingthe UNFC, NMSP, CNF, KNPP, KNU, KIO, Pa-oh National Liberation Organisation (PNLO),Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), LahuDemocratic Front, Arakan Army and ArakanNationalCongress-intotal38participants.MPSIhas supported three Ethnic Armed Groups toundertakecommunityconsultations:NMSP,CNFandKNPP.Thepurposeoftheworkshopwastobring these groups together with other EthnicArmedGroups, to share their experiences fromtheconsultations,andworkthroughpracticalandpoliticalissues,identifycommunityconcernsandhighlightimportantnextsteps.Theworkshopwasalsoanopportunity toshareglobal learning’sofcommunityconsultationswith theEthnicArmedGroups.

The CNF, KNPP and NMSP presentedtheir observations on the MPSI-supportedcommunityconsultations,withfurthersubstantialcontributions made by other groups (includingKNUandPNLO).Theworkshopalso includedapresentation on comparative case studies fromotherpeaceprocessesandacasestudyof theextensive consultation process developed inMindanao.ThesepresentationswereprovidedbytheCPCSinCambodia.


The workshop allowed senior and more juniorEthnic Armed Group officers to compare theirexperiences,tothinkthroughissuesarisingfromdifferent community consultations, and to worktowardsdevelopingbestpracticeinthisfield.Theleadersof theEthnicArmedGroups identifiedanumber of lessons learned from the communityconsultations including a need for moreconsultations and smaller (Village Tract-level)meetingssothatmoreofthepeople’svoicescanbeheard;better inclusionofCBOs;andaneedfor local stakeholders - including youth - to bemore involved in the peace process. They alsoidentified a need for ceasefire monitoring anddiscussedtheroles,whichcommunitiescanplayinthis.

Approach 3: Building trust and confidence, and testing the peace process – Contributing to the foundations of peace and development

Chin Development Agency

Project area:Hakha,ChinState

Time-frame:February2013

Project partner:FAFOResearchFoundation



•Supportedscopinganddiscussionsonpeaceanddevelopmentpolicyandplanningneeds,incooperationbetween theCNFandChinStateGovernment. Preliminary field trip conductedbyFAFOResearchFoundation.

Political context

DuringtheearlystagesofceasefirenegotiationsbetweentheMyanmarGovernmentandtheCNF,it was agreed in principle that an independentChinDevelopmentAgencywouldbeestablished.This would involve members of Government,State authorities,Chin civil society and politicalactors,andtheCNF.TheproposalwasapprovedbytheChinStateChiefMinister.

While the direct impacts of armed conflict arerelativelylimitedinChinState,thisisthepooreststate in Myanmar, and it is therefore importantfor this area to be prioritised for developmentassistance.Inthecontextofthepeaceprocess,the CNF highlighted the need for developmentand aid to be planned and implemented jointlybykeystakeholders,toavoidmisunderstandingsand prevent conflict, and to provide a modelof joint community and environment-friendlydevelopmentofethnicareas.

Project activities

Theoverallgoaloftheprojectistosupportscopingand discussions relating to the establishmentof aChinDevelopmentAgency, and to supporta planning process that involves cooperationbetweentheCNFandtheChinStateGovernment,


designedtoleadtoacommunity-orientatedandenvironmentally friendlydevelopmentplan.Withsupport fromMPSI, two researchers fromFAFOInstitute carried out a preliminary field-trip toMyanmar and the Chin State capital Hakha inFebruary2013,andconsultedwiththeCNF,theChinStateGovernment,communityorganizationsandlocalresearchanddevelopmentexperts.


FAFO proposed a follow-up extensive surveyprogramtodeterminetheneeds, limitationsandopportunities presented by the difficult physicalconditions of Chin State. This was agreed inprinciple by the Chin State authorities, butimplementation was called into question dueto the planned launching of the Joint Peace-building Needs Assessment (JPNA), as donorsperceived the potential for overlap between thetwoapproaches.Theprojectiscurrently‘on-hold’until theJPNAcanbelaunched,whichhowevermaybedelayedbecauseitissubjecttoprogresswiththeon-goingnationalceasefireprocess.

Mon Education Project

Project area: Thaton, Mawlamyine and DaweiDistricts,MonStateandTanintharyiRegion

Time-frame:January2013toJune2013

Project partners: Mon National EducationCommittee, with NPA support and advice fromShalom



MPSI input: - MEDIUM-HIGH -Directfacilitationof discussions/consultations, Supporting localpartners to formulate actions and budgets interms required by funders, Linking donors andimplementingpartners

•Protected and promoted Mon language andculture through raising public awareness, andfacilitatingcommunityinputintoreformofMoneducationpolicy.

Political context

The NMSP has consistently highlighted theimportanceof education, in its interactionswithGovernmentandinternationalactors.DuringApril2012talksinMawlamyine,theNMSPdelegationemphasised its commitment to Mon language

education – and Minister Aung Min respondedwarmly and positively. Similar interactionsoccurred in April 2013, during the NorwegianDeputyForeignMinister’svisittoMonandKarenStates,when theMonStateChiefMinister (andalsotheRailwaysMinister,responsibleatUnion-levelfortheMonpeaceprocess)expressedtheirsupport for Mon education, in the presence ofNMSPandMonCBOsandpoliticalparties,andNorwegiandiplomats.

The preservation and reproduction of minoritylanguagesisofgreatconcerntoethnicnationalitycommunities in Myanmar, as the military andGovernment are perceived as implementinga policy of assimilation by imposing majoritylanguagesandculturesonminoritycommunities.Inthiscontext,anumberofEthnicArmedGroupshavedevelopedindependenteducationsystems.Among these structures, the Mon NationalSchool system provides a model for providingquality education to ethnic minority-populated,conflict-affected areas inMyanmar. Rather thanbeingproductsofaseparatisteducationsystem,MonNationalSchoolgraduatesmatriculatewithGovernment recognised qualifications, and afullgraspof theBurmese language.This isdueto systematic linkages between the locally-implemented Mon education system, andGovernmentschools.TheMoneducationsystemtherefore represents a model which might beadoptedbyothercommunities in thecontextofthepeaceprocess-aneducationsystemwhichislocallyownedandinspired,butopentointegrationwithUnion structuresof servicedelivery, as thepoliticalandpeaceprocessesmoveforward.Assuch, itoffersamodel for ‘federal’education inMyanmar. The Mon National Schools teach inMonlanguageattheprimarylevel,allowingeasyaccess to formal education for non-Burmesespeakingchildren.ThecurriculumshiftstowardsBurmese at the middle-school level, and istaught entirely in Burmese at high school. AllthreeMon National High Schools have a semi-formal relationship with a partner Governmenthighschool,allowingstudentstositGovernmentexaminations.

The NMSP and its education Department (theMNEC)havebeensupportingeducation in theirareas of authority since before the 1995 and2012 ceasefires. In the past, funding has beensporadic, making it difficult for Mon educationauthoritiestoplanforthefuture.Inthecontextof


thepeaceprocess,itisveryimportanttosupportthismodel of best practice in ethnic education,duringaperiodof rapidbutuncertain transitionin Myanmar. The Mon education system andrelatedMPSI-supportedprojectsareparticularlyimportant from a gender perspective, beingamong the few initiatives in the peace processledandrunbywomen(theMNECDirectoristheonly woman on the NMSP Central Committee,with Mon women in many other key educationpositions).

Project activities

The first phase of the MPSI-supported project,from January 2013 to June 2013, focused onthe development of a Mon education policyand revised curriculum, through a consultativeprocesswithcommunities,NMSPandMyanmarGovernment.TheMNECconductedeightpublicconsultation workshops to discuss the Moneducationsystem.Theconsultationshadatotalof441participants(288malesand153females)from youth groups, women groups, media,parents, the Mon teachers association, NMSPandmonasteries.InMarch2013theMNECheldaMonEducationSeminarwhichbroughttogetherabroadrangeofstakeholderstodiscusstheresultsfrom the public consultations and to develop aMoneducationpolicy.Thestakeholdersreachedanumberofagreements including forNMSP tonegotiate with the Mon State Government andthe Union Government for recognition of MonEducation and Mon National School, and tobuild an ethnic leaders’ network and conductan education seminar with all ethnic groups. InOctober2013anMNECteamundertookanine-day visit to India, where they were exposed todifferent aspects of mother-tongue and multi-lingual education policy and practice. This visithas inspiredMon educators to further enhanceandreformtheMonNationalSchoolsystem.


MNEC reported that communities participatedenthusiastically in thediscussions andengagedin planning for future education programmesfor their communities. By implementing publicconsultations and the Mon Education Seminar,theMNECcollectedvariedinputonfutureformalandnon-formaleducation.According toMNEC,the project also helped them to evaluate andfurtherdeveloptheireducationprogram.

Thesecondandlarger(intermsoffunding)phaseofMPSI support forMon education consists ofa three-year,almost$5millionprojectproposal,aimedatsupportingtheMNECandMonNationalSchool system, during a period of uncertaintyand transition. This proposal contains severalelements, the core of which is support to 800Mon teachers’ salaries and capacity-building.Unfortunately, until nowMPSI has been unabletosecurefundingfortheMNECproject-despiteone donor having initially shownmuch interest,only to later disappoint MNEC. The failure tofind a donor for the MNEC project illustratesthedifficultyofmovingfromtherelativelysmall-scale (in terms of funding) pilot-type projectsdescribed in this document, towards ‘scalingup’tobiggerpeace-support initiatives.Also,theunfortunate experiences with donors has ledsomeMoneducatorstoperceivetheinternationalcommunityastryingtoimposeitsownand/ortheMyanmarGovernment’spoliticalandaidagendaswithoutregardtotheharmthatthismaydotothestruggleonthepartofethniccommunitiesforasustainablepeace.

Ethnic Peace Resources Project

Project area:Allethniccommunities

Time-frame:April2013toJanuary2014(phase1)

Project partner:FLDinpartnershipwithDCA


Donors: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,andSwissMinistryofForeignAffairs (additionalfundsupport(GenderComponent):$45,500)

MPSI input:MPSIcontributions toEPRPdiffersfromotherMPSI initiated or supported projectsbecause EPRP’s funding, governance andimplementationisseparatefromMPSI.SowhileMPSIconsultantsmakeasignificantcontributionto EPRP’s activities, these contributions comeunderthegovernanceandfundingofEPRP.

•Develops a web-based information resourceplatformandaseriesofworkshopsandsem-inars for ethnic leaders and in communitiesaround 11 ceasefire Liaison Offices in Karen,Mon,Kayah,Chin,Rakhine,ShanandKachin(withexpansionplannedtocoverothersinsec-ondphase).


Political context and MPSI’s involvement

This project has been developed out ofMPSI’sexperience of working with ethnic leaders,organisations and communities engaged inthe peace process. The EPRP aims to supportthe needs of leaders and staff of Ethnic ArmedGroups, ethnic political parties and civil societyorganisations,tobewellinformedandconfidenttodiscussandactonkey issuesforthepeace-process.

Project activities

Theprojectfocuseson leadershipandceasefireLiaison Offices of Ethnic Armed Groupsand includes four distinct components: thedevelopment of aweb-based resourceplatform(www.eprpinformation.org) and three series ofworkshops and seminars designed for differenttarget groups; providing internet connectionand training for internet beginners targeted atceasefireLiaisonOffices,providingresourcesforuse by ceasefire Liaison Offices to help informthe community about the peace process; anda gender-focussed component which exploreshow to achieve greater representation ofwomeninthepeaceprocessandensuregreateracknowledgement of issues of importance towomen.


Asa resultofan introductory trainingworkshopwith ceasefire Liaison Offices in April, it wasagreed with the Working Group for EthnicCoordination(WGEC)thattheproposedworkshopseries,initiallydedicatedtoNSAGleaders,bere-directedtoceasefireLiaisonOfficeleadershipandstaff.EPRP’ssupporttoceasefireLiaisonOfficeshascontributed togreater visibility for ceasefireLiaison Offices and increased coordination onsupportfunctions.EPRPisworkingtocoordinateimplementation of training for ceasefire LiaisonOfficerswithnationaland internationalpartners,and has been requested to advocate on behalfof ceasefire Liaison Offices’ funding needs todonorsandotherstakeholders.

The first community workshop was conductedfrom 18-23 July 2013 in Myitkyina (KachinState), facilitatedby theHumanity Institute.Theoverall objectives were for Kachin civil societygroupstounderstandtheoriesoffederalismanddecentralizations and be able to identify theirgoals in this respect, in the context of theMay

2013 initial agreement between the KIO andgovernment. Workshop discussions includedprinciples and of politics of ethnicity, regionalautonomy and federalism (symmetrical andasymmetricalsystems),women’sparticipationinthepeaceprocess,andethnic issues in relationto education. The workshop had a total of 47participants (male27, female20) from8Kachincivilsocietyorganisations.

In order to disseminate community informationmaterial through theceasefireLiaisonOffices,acontracthasbeensignedwithTheCPCS(inSiemRiep)andplannedmaterialshavebeenidentifiedforutilisationbyceasefireLiaisonOfficesintheircommunities. A first training for informationdissemination was conducted in Taunggyi (18participants), to help ceasefire Liaison Officesrealisethattheyarethekeypointtodisseminateinformation to community, and the need to becreativeabouthowbesttoprovideinformationtodifferenttargetgroups.

A three-day workshop was conducted on thetopicof thinkingaboutpoliticalstrategywith24participantsfrom8ethnicpoliticalpartieson1-3August2013.Theoverallobjectiveistoequipthepartiestobeabletothinkandplanstrategicallyin a political context where they feel side-linedbecauseEthnicArmedGroupshaveinsomeways‘been given the initiative’ through the ceasefireprocess.

In early October 2013 a four-day workshopwas conducted in Mawlamyine on the topicof ‘monitoring’ with 15 participants fromEthnic Armed Groups and ethnic civil societyorganisations.Theoverallobjectiveswerefortheparticipantstounderstandlessonslearnedaboutmonitoringfromothercontextsandtodiscusshowtoprovideusefulinformationaboutmonitoringtocommunities.NonviolentPeaceForcefacilitateda two-day discussion on monitoring (what tomonitoranddifferentmodels-whomonitors?).

Ceasefire Liaison Offices are often situatedin remote locations and most lack Internetconnectivity and skills to take advantageof theresearch and communication potential of ICT.EPRP planned in stage 1 to provide Internetconnections to nine identified ceasefire LiaisonOffices,totrainlocalICTtrainers.Largernumbersof high-cost Internet connections required atmore ceasefire Liaison Offices than predictedcaused delays due to the need to allocate

http://www.eprpinformation.org


available funds equitably. This in turn delayedInternet ToT training, which has neverthelesssincecommenced.

TheEPRPgender advisor startedwork in June2013,focusingonreviewingobstaclestowomen’sinvolvement in EPRP activities (and the peaceprocess more generally), devising strategies toovercome this and developing gender-relatedmaterialswithastrongpresenceonthewebsite.Maximisingwomen’sparticipation incommunityworkshops has been a priority. The strategyappliedtotheMyitkyinaworkshopwastoconsultin theplanningstagewith thehostorganisation(Humanity Institute), strongly encouragingidentificationofsuitablewomenparticipants.Theresultwas thatwomenconstitutedover40%ofworkshopparticipants.Astrategywasdevisedinadvanceoftheethnicpoliticalpartiesworkshop,suggesting thatparticipatingpartiescouldsend2 representatives as long as one was female;withoutafemaleparticipant,onlyoneparticipantwouldbeaccepted.Theresponsewasmixed,7femalesparticipating,outofatotalof24(29%).

Anearlyconclusionaftercommunityconsultationsin ethnic communities was the need for aseries of capacity-building activities for womenpotentiallyabletoplayactiveroles inthepeaceprocess, but who lacked confidence and skillsfor publicmeetings and networking. The EPRPgenderadviserhasobservedcommoncasesofmisunderstandingofgenderperspectives.Oftenthe meaning of ‘gender’ is difficult to translateor explain in Burmese or local languages, andisoftentranslatedas‘women’srights’.Alessonlearnedhasbeentheneedtoapproachtheissueintermsofgender‘roles’and‘fairness’instead.

Asecondstageof theEPRPproject isplannedfor a further 18 months, and is intended tomaintain the focus on ethnic leadership, andrelationships between ethnic organisationsand community, connecting ceasefire LiaisonOffices to internet, and supporting the roles ofceasefireLiaisonOffices,withadistinctgender-focussed component. Future EPRP work willinclude training for ceasefire LiaisonOffices on‘sensitive listening’, so as to support ‘listening’to the community, in order to help give voiceto community feelings and feedback about thepeaceprocess.

Ceasefire Liaison Offices

Project area: Chin, Karen, Kayah, Shan, andMonStates,andSagaing,TanintharyiandBagoRegions

Time-frame:July2012toDecember2012(phase1)andJanuarytoDecember2013(phase2)

Project partner:Euro-BurmaOffice

Project fund support: $487,500 (phase 1) and$1,283,000(phase2,indicativesumrequired)


MPSI input: - LOW-MEDIUM - Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•Supports Ethnic Armed Groups to establishceasefire Liaison Offices, and including train-ing of Liaison Officers in responsibilities andapproaches, facilitating the implementation ofceasefires.

Political context

TheestablishmentofLiaisonOfficesisspecifiedin ceasefire agreements between Ethnic ArmedGroups and the Myanmar Government. MostEthnic Armed Groups have sought to establishceasefire Liaison Offices, currently numbering31 across Mon, Chin, Karen, Kayah, Shan andRakhine States, and Sagaing, Tanintharyi andBagoRegions.Theyarerecognisedasacriticalcomponent of the architecture to supportimplementation of ceasefires and progress ofthe peace process. Through ceasefire LiaisonOffices,EthnicArmedGroupsareabletoworkontheimplementationofceasefireundertakingswithGovernment and Myanmar Army counterparts,and to seek to broaden engagement ofcommunities in the peace process. MPSI wasinvolvedintheestablishmentofceasefireLiaisonOffices by mobilising political support andfunding, and driving establishment by EthnicArmedGroups.

Project activities

Since July 2012, funding to establish ceasefireLiaisonOfficeshasbeenprovidedbyNorwayviatheEuro-BurmaOffice (EBO). This has coveredtheestablishmentof16ceasefireLiaisonOfficesbysevenEthnicArmedGroups:ALP,CNF,KNU,KNPP,NMSP,RCSSandSSPP.ThefundinghassupportedtheceasefireLiaisonOfficeswithrent,staff, equipment and travel and utilities costs.


It has also provided basic training on financialmanagementacrossallceasefireLiaisonOffices,as well as regular information-sharing forumsbetweenceasefireLiaisonOffices.TheEBOhascoveredcorecostsofadditionalceasefireLiaisonOffices out of its own funding. Some EthnicArmedGroupscontinuetofundtheirownoffices.

Monitoring, learning and coordination

Some ceasefire Liaison Offices have starteddocumenting land confiscation cases and otherHR violation complaints from local people, andin some cases have initiated political or legalaction, inorder toaddress theseconcerns.ThemainworkofceasefireLiaisonOfficeshasbeentoengagewithMyanmarArmy,inordertoavoidconfrontations, particularly in relation to troopmovements etc. Ceasefire Liaison Offices hasalso been involved in community consultations(forexamples,seeabove),andmeetingswithcivilsocietyactors,politicalpartiesand internationalinterlocutors.

•Since establishment of the ceasefire LiaisonOffices, MPSI has been involved in severalcapacities. Liaison Offices are a primary tar-get group of EPRP capacity building activi-ties, includingtheprovisionof Internetaccesstosomeoffices (seeabove).CeasefireLiaisonOfficeshavealsoprovideda forum forMPSI-facilitated meetings between Ethnic ArmedGroups,Government,civilsociety,andforeigndignitaries,asinthecaseofaNorwegiandel-egation’svisittoMonandKarenStatesinMay2013. More broadly, ceasefire Liaison Officesprovide communication channels that sup-portMPSI projects and guard against threatstothepeace.InKyaukKyiforinstance,cease-fireLiaisonOfficeshavecommunicatedpoten-tial security threats to project beneficiaries,enablingMPSI responsesvia relevantauthori-tiestopreventescalationsofhostilitiesclosetotheprojectsite.

Working optimally, ceasefire Liaison Officesprovide a safeguard, operating as sites wherelocal tensions and miscommunications can beaddressed before they escalate into outrightconfrontation. For example, after a MyanmarArmytruckranoveralandminekillingfourinEastBago,theKNUceasefireLiaisonOfficerssteppedinquicklytodefusethesituationandundertookarapidde-miningexercisejointlywiththeMyanmarArmy. Ceasefire Liaison Offices also support

improved rule of law and security. In anothermid-2012 example, the KNU arrested somethievesnearKyaukKyi,andthroughtheLiaisonOfficetransferredthemtoMyanmarGovernmentauthoritiesinsteadofdispensingtheirownjustice.

CeasefireLiaisonOfficesalsoprovideaspacetoallow dialog between civil society,Government,Ethnic Armed Groups and the internationalcommunity. In May 2013 for example, aNorwegian Delegation met with the UnionGovernment, the Mon State Government, theNMSPandrepresentativesofMoncivilsocietyintheMawlamyineceasefireLiaisonOffice.Topicssuch as ethnic education, land-grabbing, andde-mining were discussed openly and franklybetween theseparties, for thefirst timeoutsidethecontextofformalceasefirenegotiations.

As communicated by NRC in several UNHCRSoutheast Consultation meetings in 2013, theestablishment of the ceasefire Liaison Officeswere beneficial to NRC’s ID Card programme,facilitating increased access into “black” areas(territory solely administered by ethnic armedgroups)aswellasguaranteesofsecurityforNRCstaffmembers travelling to theseareaswith theMinistryof Immigration&PopulationOfficers toimplement the ID Card programme. The NRCofficeinHpa-AnreceivedonnumerousoccasionsfaxedrequestsfromtheKNU,NMSPandDKBAforthisservicetobedeliveredtospecificareas.These faxeswere then provided to theMinistryof Immigration&Populationstaffwhothentookthem to the ceasefire Liaison Offices, whereguarantees of access were negotiated andagreed. This process has been described asworking ‘flawlessly’ during the course of the IDcardprojectinKarenState.

•ThePDSGSecretariatprovidedaco-ordinationservice to those supporting ceasefire LiaisonOfficesbywayofmonthlymeetings.ThemainimplementingpartnersasofOctober2013areEBO,EPRP,theILO,theMPC,andtheCPCS.

•External support for core fundingof ceasefireLiaisonOfficescannotbeprovidedindefinitely.However,thereisastrongcasetobemadeforsustainedexternalsupporttoceasefireLiaisonOfficesover thecourseof thepeaceprocess.Withoutexternalfundinganumberofriskscouldmaterialize. Ethnic Armed Groups seeking toresourcetheirownceasefireLiaisonOfficeswilllikelyresultinsub-optimalfunctioningofmany


of the ceasefire LiaisonOffices, and risk theirimportantrolebeingunderminedbythepursuitofcommercial revenues tomaintainandmeetrunningcosts.

•As of November 2013, funding for 2014 forceasefire LiaisonOffices had not been identi-fied.$2.5millionwouldsupportmore than50ceasefireLiaisonOffices,includingnewofficesexpected to be required in Kachin State andelsewhere. If properly supported, ceasefireLiaisonOfficesmaybecomemoreactiveasaconduittoengagelocalcivilsocietyandcom-munities,actingasafocalpointtodisseminateinformationaboutpoliticalprogresswhilealsocollecting community perspectives to informdiscussions.CeasefireLiaisonOfficesarealsolikely to play a role in ceasefiremonitoring, afunctionneededtostrengthenceasefireagree-ments currently facing a deficit of trust andconfidence.

Shan Media Training

Project area: Trainings held in Taunggyi, ShanState

Time-frame:June2013toMay2014

Project partner:RCSSPeaceCommittee


Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,fundschannelledviaNIS


•Facilitatesaseriesofbasictrainingsonmediareporting standards for people of the varioustownshipsinShanState.

Politicalcontext

After an informal meeting with Governmentrepresentatives, RCSS and the MyanmarGovernmentsignedaceasefireagreementon2December 2011. However, armed clashes havesince occurred frequently. RCSS have beenconcerned about how to provide reliable andtimely information to communities, especiallyas most news received in Shan State comesfrom outside Shan State (with the exception ofone journal (close to Government) published inTaunggyi.

MPSI has been instrumental in securingfunding to support a series of basic trainingsonmedia reporting standards, for a network ofrepresentativesfromalltownshipsinShanState,coordinatedbytheRCSSPeaceCommittee,withsupport from various media organisations. Theaim is to mobilise observers in the communitywho have received basic media training andenable them to collect and disseminate reliableinformationamongShancommunities.This isagood example of how ceasefire Liaison Officescanengagewithotherstakeholders(includingcivilsociety andpolitical actors), in order todeepencommunitysupportforthepeaceprocess.

Project activities

Theprojectwillconductaseriesofbasicmediatrainings for people from different Townships inShan State (three 20-day training sessions, atthree-monthlyintervals).Thebasicmediatrainingsessionswillbefollowedbyone20-dayadvancedmedia training forselected trainees.TheprojectwillalsoequiptheTaunggyiRCSStrainingcentrewith computers, printers, scanners, an LCDprojector,camerasandvideo-cameras.

Thefirsttrainingsessionwasheldfrom11-30July2013 (25participants, 11 female and 14male)..Two staff members from the RCSS TaunggyiceasefireLiaisonOfficeparticipatedasobservers.ParticipantslearnedbasiccomputerandInternetskills,useofvideoequipment,andmedialiteracyand citizen journalism. One of the trainers hada Bachelor’s degree in Communication andInternational Journalism (Hong Kong BaptistUniversity) and the other trainers were fromYouthPowerMedia,which based inChiangmai(Thailand).

The second session was held 2-21 Septemberwith 30 participants (12 female and 18 male).The training was expanded during this sessionto includevideoproduction (newsshootingandediting) providedby experienced reporters fromTaiFreedommediagroupbasedinChiangmai.AthirdsessionisplannedforDecember2013.

KNU Districts Political and Strategic Thinking Workshops

Project area: Two three-day workshops held inBagoRegion

Time-frame:September2013andOctober2013


Project partner:KarenStrategicStudiesGroup


Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,fundschannelledviaNIS.

MPSI input: - HIGH - Direct facilitation ofdiscussions/consultations, and Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•ConductedtwoworkshopsforDistrict/Brigade-level leaders fromtheKNU/KNLA3rdand6thBrigade, on topics such as ‘thinking aboutpower’ and ‘introduction to strategic think-ing and strategic planning’. The project grewout of the ‘Karen District Information-sharingand Planning for Community Development’meetings.

The workshop was extremely productive, withfrankdiscussionfromparticipants(includingmanyfrom local Karen civil society groups) regardinghowlittleinformedtheywereabouttheceasefireandpeaceprocesses.Theprogramfocussedonintroducingpoliticalandstrategicthinking intheformof ‘trendanalysis’.Thiswas followedbyapresentationbySawHtooHtooLay,akeyadviserto the KNU’s peace process. The conclusiondrawn was that there was a pressing need formeeting/workshop activities through which thecommunity (both within the KNU and broadercivilsociety)couldbekeptbetterinformedaboutthe peace process. The second workshop wasplanned forOctober,butpostponedbecauseofheightenedactivityinvolvingtheKNUleadershipin‘nationwideceasefire’negotiations.

KNU Economic Policy workshops

Project area:WorkshopsheldinMaeSot

Time-frame: 30 October 2013 – 1 November2013;9-10December2013


Donor:NorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairsviaNIS,withassistancefromFLD

MPSI input: - HIGH - Direct facilitation ofdiscussions/consultations, and Linking donorsandimplementingpartners

•GivesKNU leadersanoverviewofMyanmar’seconomy and current business environment,and presents them with different options for

future economic decision-making, in the con-text of the newly-formulated KNU EconomicPolicy.

The two two-day KNU Economic PolicyWorkshopswere facilitatedbyMPSI, toprovidethe KNU leadershipwith economic backgroundinformation,andgiveparticipantsopportunitiestodiscusseconomicaspectsofthepeaceprocess,inrelationtothenewly-formulatedKNUeconomicpolicy.

Non-technical Survey of Landmines (pilot)

Project area:EightvillagesinYeTownship,MonState

Time-frame:December2013toFebruary2014

Project partner:NPAMineAction

Project fund support: $25,000 (indicative sumrequired)

Donor:NorwegianMinistryofForeignAffairsandtheEuropeanUnion

MPSI input: - LOW-MEDIUM -Directfacilitationofdiscussions/consultations

•NPAImplementedapilotNon-technicalSurvey(phaseI)intheareaofYeTownshipinMonState.ThesurveywasconductedinclosecooperationwiththeNMSPinordertodeterminetheextentofthelandmineproblemintheprojectarea.Asapilot,theprojectwasalsocarriedoutinordertotestthedraftedNationalStandardsforMineActioninMyanmar,whichiscurrentlyawaitingapprovalfromthegovernmentofMyanmar.

Political context

Myanmar is one of themost landmine-affectedcountries in theworld,but little isknownof theextentoftheproblem.Contaminationisestimatedto affect more than 5 million people, posing apotentialthreattopeople’s livesandlivelihoods,the future resettlementofdisplacedpopulations(whenconditionsallow)andtherehabilitationanddevelopment of key infrastructure routes. Mineclearanceisanissueraisedandagreeduponinprinciplesinanumberofceasefireagreements.

Followingpeace talkswith the government, theNMSPexpressedaninterestinconductingMineRisk Education activities, and Non-TechnicallandmineSurveys(NTS)intheirareasofcontrol.On14May2013,during theNorwegianDeputy


Foreign Minister Larsen’s visit to Mawlamyine,a request for a Non-Technical Survey wascommunicated. Prior to this, NPA – with thesupportofMPSI–hadalreadysecured thefirstMoUwiththeGovernmentformineaction.

Project activities

There is currently little proper overview of thelocations of mined areas inMon State, and nosystematicassessmentofthelandminesituationhadtakenplaceatallpriortothepilotNTS(phaseI).Thisimpliesthatforthetimebeingalotofareaswillnotbeusedfor farmingandotheractivities,due to the fearof landmines.Theprojectseeksto address this problem by mapping areascontaminated by landmines and unexplodedordnances, through a Non-Technical Survey inMonState,allowingforsafeuseoflandinthoseareasidentifiedasfreeoflandmines/unexplodedordnances.

NPA has established a team that collect,analyse and present an overview of landmine(and unexploded ordnance) contamination andits socio-economic impact in the project area.The team consists of an international surveycoordinator, aMon national survey team leaderand threeMon national survey staff. Training ofteammemberswasdoneinDecember2013andtheNon-technicalSurvey(phaseI)wasconductedintheperiod13–27JanuaryinYeTownship,MonState.ThiswasthefirstNTSevertobeconductedinMyanmar.AphaseIIhasalreadybeenagreedwithNMSP,butispendingGovernmentapproval.According to schedule, it will commence inMarch2014,andwill lastforthreetosixweeks,dependingonthefindings.

•Throughout the implementation of the proj-ect,timeisdedicatedtoconsultationswiththeMon State Government, Myanmar Army andNMSP/MonNationalLiberationArmy(MNLA).The entire Non-Technical Survey will be con-ducted in close coordinationwith both sides,anditisenvisionedthattheprojectwillimprovestabilizationandconfidence in thepeacepro-cessbetweentheGovernmentandtheNMSP/MNLA.Thepopulationintheconcernedvillageswill directly benefit from the Non-TechnicalSurveyactivitiesthroughhavingabetterunder-standingofareasthataresafetouseandwhichareas toavoid.Theentire townshipofYehasbenefitedfromtheproject,asthesurveyactiv-ityassistedtoopenupaccesstothearea.The

survey may also be a precondition for futureactivitiesaswellasotherdevelopmentactionsintheprojectarea.However,therearerisksthatland declared landmine-free may increase invalue,thusmakingitofinteresttospeculators,andperhapsunscrupulouslocalpower-holders.

annex 1: overview of mpsi-supported...

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