Seminar Report The role of Political Parties in Democratic Transitions

a) Basic knowledge about democracy and democratic processes
b) Basic values and convictions relating to democracy – you need to believe in democracy to make it
work
c) Democratic Skills and Tools (needed for political activism)
Moreover, the training emphasises both in-class teaching and out of class training where the participants
visit villages, government institutions and NGOs and learn how to tackle concrete issues of concern to the
communities. The training run for one year during weekends and is thus a very intensive training with end
of term exams and written test.
Discussion
The discussion session was very lively and showed great interest in education on democracy. Many asked
about the documented experiences and impact of the democracy school training and the ways in which
the knowledge of the students can be disseminated further to benefit more people – i.e. through Training
of Trainers (ToT) and community committees. Many considered what type of democracy education that
would best fit Myanmar.
The group work concluded that democratic values are universal and that representation, accountability
and responsibility are centre stage in any democracy. Human rights of the citizens likewise. Moreover, the
readiness to accept the voice of the people and hand over power is also essential in any democracy.
2.5. Closure of the seminar and workshop and looking ahead (plenary)
By Mrs Ja Nan Lahtaw, Assistant Director of Nyien (Shalom) Foundation (Program and International
Relations) and by Miss Khin Thazin Myint, DIPD/NIMD Programme Coordinator
As a closure remark, Mrs Ja Nan Lahtaw thanked the participants on behalf of the organising institutions.
She then went on to emphasize the following points.
Challenging factor of Myanmar transition period: Myanmar society has been deeply divided as
a result of protracted conflict that has been unresolved for over six decades. Currently the country
is going through a transition from a military rule to establishing a democratic government. As the
society has been divided over ethnic line, religious line and political line, the mistrust between
different groups is one challenging factor to address during the transition period.
The significance of the seminar: The seminar today is bringing politicians from diverse political
parties and some government institutions and civil society. This is a significant step in a
transitional period. Normally, people from different ethnic groups, religious organizations and
political organizations do not naturally come together. During the very first Pyithu Lutthaw session,
Mrs Ja Nan Lahtaw once asked some Members of Parliament whether they interact with MPs
from their opposition parties including USDP and military representatives during the break. There
was a fear to interact with those who are from the opposition parties due to mistrust with each
other. That was almost two years ago when the first Pyithu Lutthaw session was convened.
Today, this seminar is a witness that a dialogue between multi-parties is a value for building
democratic society. It is significant that today, in this seminar, we have politicians represented
from 47 political parties out of 54 political parties currently registered.
The importance of political dialogue: Finally, Mrs Ja Nan Lahtaw expressed her hope that this
seminar would be the beginning of a continued dialogue between politicians those who have
different opinions, ideas, strategies and visions. Regardless of the differences, the trust must be
nourished and further dialogue opportunity between parties will be possible after this seminar.
Additionally, she concluded saying that the organising institutions do believe that a dialogue is an
essential way to further develop democratic institutions and society.
By Miss Khin Thazin Myint, DIPD/NIMD Programme Coordinator
Khin Thazin Myint made the final closure and thanked everyone for participating and for the lively
workshops and the good exchange of experiences and ideas. She hoped that each participant would
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