Htoo Chit

DTP alumnus Htoo Chit is the Executive Director of the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), an NGO he established to support Burmese migrants in Thailand. Originally from Myanmar, Htoo Chit was targeted by the military junta because of his support for democracy and he had to leave Myanmar for Thailand following the 1988 democracy rising.

In Thailand he then experienced and witnessed the vulnerabilities and abuses of others also forced to flee to Thailand – because of their activism or in search of work. Many were employed in abusive conditions in factories along the Thai-Burma border, others were trafficked into the sex industry, and into forced labour in Thailand’s fishing fleets.

“The persistent unfair judgments, discrimination, and ongoing violations against migrants reinforced my commitment to become a human rights defender and social worker. That is when I began my journey to establish FED.”

Htoo Chit established FED to provide education, health services, and advocacy support to migrant workers from Myanmar in Thailand. FED’s work received the prestigious French Republic’s Human Rights Prize in 2010.

Htoo Chit participated in DTP’s 2003 Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Training Program in Bangkok in 2003, and then the first DTP/Migrant Forum in Asia program in Indonesia in 2004.

“DTP’s training was transformative. It has significantly enhanced my effectiveness as a human rights defender, providing me with a robust toolkit for advocacy and a supportive network of like-minded individuals committed to positive change.”

Htoo Chit said that the DTP training reinforced his belief in the power of education and collaboration in driving positive change. In 2008, Htoo Chit became a prestigious Ashoka Fellow, recognising his achievements, and his commitment to work for and with others for change in society.

“DTP deepened my understanding of international human rights standards and how to leverage them in advocacy work. This global perspective has been invaluable in framing issues and developing strategies that resonate across borders. DTP emphasized the importance of cultural competence in international advocacy. This focus on cultural sensitivity and diversity has enhanced my ability to work across diverse contexts, ensuring my advocacy work is inclusive and respectful.”

Htoo Chit says he is still committed to using knowledge gained from DTP training to continue working towards a more just and compassionate world. He sees the need to foster a new generation of skilled and knowledgeable human rights defenders who can make a meaningful impact in addressing human rights challenges worldwide. That is why going forward, Htoo Chit aims to establish a new “Training Center for Human Rights Defenders” to provide education and diplomacy skills to migrants and aspiring advocates to enable them to effectively fight for justice and create positive change.