Since 2012, the Forum has supported diverse stakeholders in Myanmar promoting federalism, democracy, and inclusive governance. After the 2021 military coup, the Forum quickly moved its operations to Thailand while keeping a small, low-profile presence inside the country.
Today, the Forum focuses on helping democratic actors from the Bamar-majority regions – including women and minority groups – build cohesion and find common ground on how their regions should be governed in ways that support long-term peace.
The Forum’s programs aim to support peace in Myanmar by:
- Supporting inclusive negotiations at the regional level. These dialogues aim to reduce fragmentation, build trust, and encourage cooperation among stakeholders while conflict continues.
- Maintaining communication between regional and union-level democratic actors. This helps prevent new tensions and prepares stakeholders for future negotiations on a federal democratic system.
The Forum also works to strengthen the role of women political actors by addressing systemic barriers. Activities aim to shift perceptions of women’s leadership, build confidence, and provide the skills and knowledge needed to increase their influence in regional political processes. These include focus group discussions on governance topics, peer exchanges, and one-on-one coaching.
The project also includes a flexible component to respond to new policy needs as they arise.
