United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) members will meet the Nippon Foundation in Japan. The Nippon Foundation invited the UNFC to discuss what role they can play in providing assistance with the peace process between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar government.
UNFC Spokesperson Khun Oakkar was invited by Nippon Foundation Chairman, Yōhei Sasakawa. Oakkar is also Japan’s recently appointed ambassador for the welfare of ethnic minorities in Myanmar.
“About 20 of our members are attending the week-long trip, The Nippon Foundation will explain how they will provide aid for ethnic minorities in Burma,” said Khun Oakkar.
Sasakaw wants to discuss with UNFC about Myanmar’s ethnic strife, and find successful ways to facilitate a peace settlement, which he feels is the biggest challenge the country faces.
“True democracy will not come to Myanmar unless the central government reaches a peace settlement with the various ethnic minorities. Democratization will bring foreign resources to Myanmar, but if that process does not raise the standard of living, and the class divide widens further, then the frustrations of ethnic minorities will only get worse,” he said during an interview, last June.
The Nippon Foundation is Japan’s largest charity.
