One committee member said the event that will take place in late July - an exact date is still to be decided - follows in the tradition of the 1961 Taunggyi conference.

During the June conference Shan leaders invited many other ethnic leaders to meet for discussions. Attendees agreed that the 1947 Constitution must be amended to be in line with federalism to promote ideas of equality and self-determination for all the people of Myanmar. The following year Gen Ne Win staged a coup based on the fabrications of “saving the Union from disintegration”.

During the upcoming Yangon event the biographies of select ethnic leaders like Nai Ngwe Thein who attended the Taunggyi conference will be promoted. The Mon leader’s book “Nai Ngwe Thein’s Politic Experience” will be distributed at the conference.

Some of the ethnic leaders that are expected to attend include : Thin Oo (NLD’s patron), U Win Thin, Dagon Tharyar, Takhin Thein Maung, Dr. Sai Aung Tun (Shan historian), General Say Thint (Shan State Progressive Party), Duwar Gantharol (Kachin), Nai Ngwe Thein and Nai Tun Thein (Mon), Mann Petar Jayin and Mann Thin Shwe (Karen), U Thar Pan and Khine Soe Naing Aung ( Rakhine), U Khun Sein Shwe, U Pyar Htein ( Pa-O).

Also invited is a former Da Nu chief minister and a representative from the Ta-ang ethnic group.

Currently most of the ethnic armed groups have signed ceasefires with the government. Ethnic political leaders hope to utilize these unique conditions prevalent in the country to advocate greater autonomy for the ethnic groups.