“An UK based organization helped us to organize this conference. The purpose is to study the course and the outcome of the Northern Ireland Peace Process,” said Khun Okka, UNFC spokesperson and joint secretary.

Six international academics, including a former British chief of staff and NATO commander, joined the meeting that included discussions on the reformation of government troops and ethnic armed groups in line with a UNFC proposed federal union constitution.

The UNFC, which represents nearly all Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups, said the international participants emphasized education as the key to achieving lasting peace in the country if non-state armed groups, the government and other political parties continue to engage in three-way dialogues. International academics present speculated the government may find it difficult to accept a federalist political system.

Another information sharing meeting following this one concluded yesterday.