“At the moment, when we go to peace meetings, we can notice [that] CSOs do not participate much; they are still weak. Actually, they [Burma’s CSOs] should hold the important role of mediator. If they can work as mediator, it will create a more effective peace process between the two groups,” said Daw Pyu Ei Thein.

A number of CSOs remarked that the lack of CSO participation in the peace process can result in negative effects for civilians in Burma’s conflict areas.

According to Daw Khun Kyar, of the Kachin Peace Network, although the government’s peace group, the Union Peace-Making Working Group, (UPWC) and the ethnic armed groups’ group, the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), granted CSOs permission to participate in the peace process, CSOs have not officially participated yet.

“They [the UPWC and NCCT] said that they allow CSOs to take part in the peace process, but they still say the talks are for 8 sector groups and tripartite group [participation], allowing CSOs a limited role in participation. In some cases, CSOs have participated [in peace talks], but not every ethnic [community’s] CSOs are involved,” said Daw Khun Kyar.

For instance, the Kachin Independent Organization (KIO) had allowed CSOs to participate as a part of a technical team.

Daw Khun Kyar also stated that if the ethnic armed groups do not let ethnic CSOs participate in the peace process, ethnic armed groups will not be aware of the needs of Burma’s ethnic communities.

At the moment, although the government’s peace group has met several times with civil society organizations, it does not provide CSOs any official roles in Burma’s peace process.

At a recent 22nd-23rd November meeting for the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), community based organizations (CBOs) and CSOs based in Thailand and the Thai-Burma border met to discuss the issue surrounding CBO and CSO participation in the national peace process.

On the second day the NCCT attended the meeting and were presented with the meetings findings.