2024 Building Social Inclusion, Human Rights, and Gender Equality in Myanmar

From 11-29 November 2024, the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP), in partnership with Lawkapala Foundation, hosted 16 carefully selected senior representatives of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), Ethnic Consultative Council and civil society to Australia for an intensive and tailored 3-week program of learning, exchange and networking.

The program, made possible with funding from DFAT’s Australian Awards Fellowship Program, was a significant and timely Australian investment in Myanmar’s democratic future. As the Myanmar military increasingly loses territorial control, other civil and military administrations are being established and a new, inclusive, federal and multicultural democracy is being envisioned.

This program was designed as a practical contribution to this envisioning process, bringing together in Australia some of the key individuals and organisations involved. Australia’s aid program has invested significantly in Myanmar, to assist with the previous phase of transition to democracy, and to supports it economic and social development, and more recently in relation to the humanitarian crisis.

Australia has strong people to people links with Myanmar and a vibrant and diverse diaspora including many of Myanmar’s ethnic and Indigenous nationalities and minorities. This diaspora has been important in sustaining and supporting the democracy movement in Myanmar and the communities that have been displaced. Australian universities and development NGOs have a long history of engagement in Myanmar and all are looking to how they can contribute most effectively to Myanmar and its future.

This intensive program took place over three weeks in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. There were visits and exchanges with key institutions and organisations, the opportunity to have dialogue with senior representatives of DFAT and with Federal and State Members of Parliament. There were warm welcomes and exchanges at all levels of government, and from Indigenous Peoples’ organisations. It was notable that in many places, program participants could be welcomed by members of diaspora communities, sometimes second and third generations, who could speak from lived experience of Australia’s multiculturalism.

DTP and Lawkapala Foundation are deeply grateful to the individuals who led stimulating and informative sessions and to the institutions that welcomed the participants.

For more information, read the program's Concept Note.