In the past, the MBC youth conference focused on social development. This is the first time the environment was the main issue at the conference.

The Baptist youth conference is being held at Sakaw Karen Baptist Church, in Myaungmya, Pathein District in Irrawaddy division. It began on April 26 and will end April 30.

“We are damaging the environment in our country and also the whole world, so we would like to highlight the need to protect it as the main purpose of this conference,” said Samuel, who is in charge of the conference which has over 1,600 young people in attendance representing the members of the MBC around the country.

Samuel said the MBC youth wing will be announcing its plan for protection of the environment and the appointment of staff after the conference.

“We will examine the issue and then we will decide what we will do next and communicate with each other,” Samuel said.

They decided to work on the protection of the environment as a response to the deforestation, water shortages and dry rivers in Burma (Myanmar), he said.

The MBC is the biggest Christian association in Burma. It was founded in 1861 by at least 18 different ethnic Baptist churches, including the Immanuel and Judson churches from Burma.