THE MINISTRY of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement hosted a virtual meeting on drafting of work plan for civics and decent citizens which is a priority of National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy (2020- 2024) on 2 October.

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, in his capacity as Chairperson of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, Permanent Secretary, Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General, officials of the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, Union Civil Service Board, Anti-Corruption Commission, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, National Reconciliation and Peace Centre and young members of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee joined the meeting.

The Union Minister said that implementation of youth policy strategic plan (2020- 2024), which was already approved, will begin in 2020-2024 FY.

All people cooperatively need to fight against COVID-19, and the ministry is also largely participating in COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment processes.

 Youths including Nay Pyi Taw Council/State/Region youth affairs committees are working on implementation of the strategic plan, he added, saying that not only three responsible Union Ministries but also departments concerned need to cooperate in the process.

He called for participation of civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN organizations and experts in drawing up of policy and strategic plan.

There are 16 procedures in the strategic plan, and it is important to nurture new youth generations. The Ministry of Education plays a crucial role in implementing the strategic plan.

There are six strategies in one sector. Strategy 1 is adopting teaching methods for civics curriculum that based on the values of human rights, democratic norms and federalism.

The ministry will cooperate with relevant ministries including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs to add in long-term curriculum plans.

Strategy 2 is about teaching – which includes conducting training for out-of-school youths, trainings that can bear benefits during stay-at home period, teaching youths in wards and villages and cooperation with youth affairs committees.

Strategy 3 emphasizes on conducting educating programmes for the emergence of youths in full of responsibility and accountability.

The youth affairs committees should lead for the participation of young ethnic people. The Human Rights Commission, civil organizations and international organizations should hold online roundtable talk for the people to know the democratic norms. But it will need technological support.

Strategy 4 states to create programmes for the volunteering sprit among the young people while Strategy 5 focuses on participation of young people in altruism sectors. Nowadays, Myanmar young people actively participate in volunteering processes.

Strategy 6 is to develop the mindset of young staff to actively perform in their works and to implement programmes to practise good habits without any corruption in workplaces by understanding well the democratic norms and federalism. The Union Minister also called on the attendees to participate in discussion to implement these six strategic plans.

Director-General of Social Welfare Department reported on budget allocation, expenses, programmes for youths affairs and drafted work plans.

Officials from relevant Union Ministries and organizations, and members of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee also gave suggestions for drawing up of work plan for civics and decent citizens which is a priority of National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy (2020-2024).

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

UNION Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint joined the Digital Media Trends and Opportunities Webinar organized by the formation committee on Myanmar Digital Media Association yesterday.

The discussion was taken part by Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun, Permanent Secretary U Myo Myint Maung, departmental heads, the committee members, media personnel and some other enthusiasts of digital media.

In delivering opening remark, the Union Minister expressed his appreciation for the efforts of leading persons at the committee and the speakers for sharing knowledge at the event.

He also remarked that it was expected more experts and media enthusiasts could join the future works after they realized the objectives of the committee.

U Thaung Su Nyein, the chairman of formation committee, made an opening remark, talking about the 2020 General Election and the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar as both issues are largely concerned with the media personnel.

He continued the background reasons for forming an association to promote and protect the rights of digital media producers and its users, adding that the committee was set up on 1 September and it will invite more members for digital media development in Myanmar.

U Ko Ko (Ko Ko-YIT), vice-chairman of committee, discussed the topic of ‘Digital Media Guide to Work-fromHome that explained the need of a balance between comfort and professionalism in this working style, skills in using mobile applications for management in the works, media equipment, quality productions and media ethics.

U Min Swe Hlaing, the secretary of committee, presented the topic of ‘Digital Media Monetization Opportunities & Challenges’ on the importance of content and production in digital media based on the changing trend and figures of mobile phone users, internet users, social internet users, and number of viewers.

He also talked about international trends in producing quality content and effective distribution, monthly-payment of viewers, relations between advertisement on digital media and E-commerce, income sources of digital media, and difficulties in getting incomes through Facebook and Youtube.

The questions of Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun and online participants were answered by U Thaung Su Nyein, U Min Swe Hlaing and Acting Director-General U Aye Kywe from the Information and Public Relations Department.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

National United Democratic Party Chairman U Sein Win presented party’s policy, stance and work programmes through radio and TV on 2 October.

Greetings esteemed people and farmers.

I am Chairman U Sein Win of the National United Democratic Party (N.U.D), and I will be contesting for the Pyithu Hluttaw seat of Lewe constituency.

Party’s policies, work programmes

I will summarize our party’s policies and work programmes. We are a party for the farmers formed with farmers, labourers and experts. The farmers and residents of rural areas must be prosperous to elevate their living standards, and the right people with the right skills need to be appointed to suitable positions for actual changes and development to take place.

We are the only party who will bring about the formation of a farmers’ union to freely bring development and protection of the rights of farmers in rural areas who make up 70% of Myanmar’s population.

We will lay the foundation for improving the agricultural, livestock and fishery sector and raise the national economy. We will prioritize rural development. We will strive for a Constitution that promises a Federal Democratic Union.

We will create jobs so that migrant workers can return home and find employment. We will prevent exploitation and waste of natural resources and set regulations that benefit local people.

We will find peaceful solutions to resolve conflicts and issues with armed organizations. We will work together with experts and ethnic leaders and representatives of the people in agriculture, business, education, healthcare, and ethnic affairs.

N.U.D party will pursue legal routes to prevent losses when resolving unfair land confiscation cases.

We will focus on the issue of low sources of investment for farmers, providing them with farming machinery, getting connected to a water supply and proper use of water, enabling them to produce high-quality products, protection from climate change, and acquiring guarantees for market share and acceptable prices for their products.

N.U.D party will always respect the ideals of Galon Sayar San, Thakin Poe Hla Gyi and Bo Aung Kyaw and strive to implement their objectives as appropriate.

Our party will have 15 candidates contesting for seats in the following ten townships: Mogok, PyinOoLwin, Myittar, Pyinmana, Zabuthiri, Dekkhinathiri, Lewe, Yedashe, Maubin and Kyaiklat.

While our party may not currently have the strength to form a government, we will bravely carry out our duties in the Hluttaw to bring about a clean and good government with the available power we have. Thus, we request you to vote for our party representatives if you think they have the required qualities.

1. To bring the rural residents out of poverty

2. To assist people in reclaiming unfairly-confiscated-land

3. To work hand-in-hand with experts and professionals

4. To practise correctness about people, place, duties, systems, ethics, spirit, and action,

Vote for N.U.D.

We have successfully helped people of Lewe Township reclaim confiscated land in Ayelar, Thaekawgyi, Thawmawgone, Kyaungyi, Kuthabeik, Ayechantha, Pyanchi, Nyaung Motesate, Yaykar, Bogadaw, and Hsipaing.

We worked together with residents of Kyogone and Theyetgone and found solutions to acquiring dam water.

We helped with getting Form-7 for forest space in Zali Nghat Gyi Taung, Thit Kyein, Sanpya and Bogadaw.

We also helped with matters related to trade, road networks, Theyetgone, electricity, Kyogone, and national registration. We helped with all requests from all regions of Myanmar.

We helped Lisu people in Mogok Township get 1,600 national registration cards, and we are cooperating in reclaiming confiscated land in PyinOoLwin and across Myanmar.

We have taken matters relating to regional development, roads, bridges, electricity and schools from respective townships and submitted them as non-asterisk-marked questions in the Hluttaw.

I have served as the Chairman of the farmers, workers and youth affairs committee from 2015 to 2016.

We have submitted proposals to the Hluttaw regarding food reserve, lending short-term and long-term loans to prevent farmers from selling draught animals, crop prices and market share, and forming a market system for farmers. However, we were unsuccessful because we didn’t have enough strength in the Hluttaw. We need representatives for farmers in the Hluttaw.

As a Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Maubin, I participated in the 4th stage of amending 420 articles in the Constitution.

N.U.D party has made several statements in the Hluttaw:

• (11-7-2012, Pyithu Hluttaw) There needs to be peace at the village level for development at the township level, which will, in turn, drive national growth. That is why we need to develop the village first.

• (13-7-2012, Pyithu Hluttaw) For the development of the national economy, it’s crucial to have a sound system between the people in administration and the people under administration. If there isn’t a proper system between the government and the people, it doesn’t matter if America or even three other countries come to our aid, we will still be in poverty.

• (13-2-2013, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) We need to implement clear and precise work programmes concerning how we will handle the benefits, interests and opportunities of farmers.

• (13-2-2013, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) A democratic government needs to give back the unfairly-confiscated-land and offer compensation. You cannot safely allow the tiger to herd the cattle.

• (17-1-2014, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) In terms of a democratic agricultural perspective, the roots must spread wide for the trunk to grow well. Many branches will grow on a strong trunk and produce as many fruits. We need to work hard to develop the fruits of democracy.

• (23-9-2014, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) The farmers who’ve had their land confiscated are now like crows staring at a spirit offering; their time wasted.

• (8-2-2018, Pyithu Hluttaw) Successive governments across multiple systems through the years have shouted for ‘changing traditional farming to industrial farming’ for nearly 50 years. However, there is still no practical implementation with the situation as unchanged as ever.

In conclusion, N.U.D party is formed with honesty, purity and reasonable beliefs to establish a Federal Democratic Union through cooperation with farmers and workers from rural areas and experts. Indeed, we are a farmers’ party. We will produce tangible results and match our words with our action. We are resolving the unfair-land-confiscation problems as well. If you want to vote for us, put a tick beside the khaki-earth flag with the full moon and farmer image.

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

The relief flights of Myanmar Airways International and Myanmar National Airlines landed at the Yangon International Airport yesterday bringing back a total of 201 Myanmar citizensstranded in Cambodia and Singapore.

Fifty-four Myanmar citizens were taken by the second relief of MAI from Cambodia, and 147 citizens by 20th relief flight of MNA.

The relief flights were organized by the Myanmar embassies in these countries.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

To bring back the Myanmar citizens who are stranded in foreign countries by relief flights and chartered flights in accordance with the instructions from National-Level Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated with the relevant ministries and Myanmar embassies from respective countries and brought back a total of 17,640 citizens to date.

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye gave a speech for the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held online on 1 October during the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, which was first organized in China in 1995. It was held under the topic of gender equality and empowerment women worldwide.

In his remarks, the Union Minister said that all the world countries face many challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar also conduct COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities while carrying out the transition processes into democracy system, the participation of women in transition processes for democracy system including peace processes, prohibition of gender discrimination according to the Union Accord as part of peace processes, 30 per cent of women participation in each sectors, drafting policies to prevent gender based violence and agreements to promote women›s abilities.

Myanmar is working hard to promote gender equality and protect vulnerable groups in some ways by stipulating laws and policies and 11 women organizations are serving for the women affairs in active ways under the instruction of Myanmar National Committee on Women Affairs with 2013-2022 National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women.

He continued saying that the Prevention and Protection of Violence against Women Bill was submitted to the Hluttaw, and the country also carries out to approve the action plan (bill) to prevent and protect the violence against women in conflict areas. The government also conducts response activities for all inclusive of women and girls in vulnerable groups and uses K2.1billion to help the people at IDP camps by making COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment Plan.

He also pledged that the country will continue carrying out for the gender equality and empowerment of women while adopting CERP for economic impacts including rehabilitation processes.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

The Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security under the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Information jointly held cyber security awareness talks via videoconferencing yesterday morning.

The online event was attended by Union Minister Dr Pe Myint, Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun and departmental heads, officials from the Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security and the National Cyber Security Centre, those from the Union level organizations, the ministries, chief information officers from region/state governments, vice-rectors, deans and tutors from the technology universities and computer universities, representatives from communication operators and internet service companies, and staff members and officers from the Ministry of Information.

In his opening remark, Union Minister Dr Pe Myint talked about the importance of cyber security for internet users, prevention of damages to hardware and software for information security, the emergence of ‘new media’ with the development of ICT, and upgrade of media platforms to meet new modern technologies.

He also explained studies, discussions and exchange of knowledge of new technologies in media at the MoI departments this year by inviting experts in this sector.

U Sai Saw Lin, Acting Director-General of Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security, discussed the information theft and damage in cyber attacks across the world, disclosure of secret information to destroy dignity of the organizations under the attacks, hacking the websites of government ministries, private companies and online shopping, increasing cyber attacks and abuses during COVID-19 crisis, organizing annual events of Myanmar Cyber Security Challenge since 2015, participating in international cyber security contests, and more effective cooperation in security issues among the relevant organizations.

Officials then held talks on the topics about the Cyber Security Policy & Legal Framework Development, the Role of Cyber Security in Government Organization, the PlugX RAT, CobaltStrike and Mustang Panda, the Learn about Ransomware attacks in Myanmar and how to prevent them, the SIEM Platform Introduction, the Email Security Introduction, and the Approach to Hardening of Individual Host -Host Security.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

Union Election Commission held a virtual meeting with the civil society organizations focusing the issues of persons with disabilities yesterday morning.

Chairman of UEC U Hla Thein, and commission members, representatives from the 29 CSOs for PWDs, the responsible persons from International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) took part in the meeting which discussed the cooperation between the UEC and the CSOs to ensure the participation of the PWDs in the 2020 General Election.

The UEC Chairman said that the Article 369 (a) of the Constitution and the Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provide for equal political and electoral rights of persons with disabilities.

He also added that every person with disability has the right to vote in the elections and has the right to be elected in the election according to the Section 29 and Section 30 of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, enacted by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in 2015.

The UEC’s Strategic Plan (2014-2018) and (2019-2022) also included a section on promoting inclusiveness, focusing on the right of all persons with disabilities to vote.

In the 2017 and 2018 by-elections, the commission arranged 9 model polling stations in 5 townships of the Yangon Region, Sagaing Region and Chin State to facilitate the voting of the people with disabilities.

The commission also helped the visually impaired persons with Braille Template to vote in the election. There are a total number of 87,280 disabled voters in 2020 General Election.

He continued that the commission provided the demonstration lessons and follow-up trainings on disability voting during the electoral capacity building trainings held in Grand Amara Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw in November 2019.

As the 2020 General Election will be organized druing the COVID-19 crisis, the commission is working to ensure safe and secure voting in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Sports.—MNA (Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

A total of 173 Myanmar citizens landed in Yangon yesterday by a relief flight of Myanmar Airways International.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is collaborating with relevant organizations to bring the citizens back home after scrutinizing national verifications of undocumented nationals and those who were held at the detention centres.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized 17 relief flights from Malaysia until now.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement organized a videoconferencing yesterday to adopt a work plan for promoting ‘civics and decent citizens’ which is a priority of the National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy (2020-2024).

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye in his capacity as the Chairman of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, the Permanent Secretary, the directors-general, officials from Social Welfare Department and representatives from UNFPA Myanmar joined the online discussion.

The Union Minister said that Myanmar has developed the National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy on 20 August, and the plan includes prioritizing the sector for civics and decent citizens to promote human rights values, democratic norms and federalism among the young people; to implement training programmes for nurturing decent citizens, to encourage volunteer sprit; to provide the youth with some incentives such as certain amount of salary and capacity building courses; to develop the mindset of responsibility and accountability; to carry out anti-corruption works.

He also encouraged development of volunteering sprit among the young persons including civil service personnel, and advised to perform the duties of ministries in measures against COVID-19 in coordination with the relevant ministries, civil society organizations, UN agencies and INGOs.

The Director-General of Social Welfare Department presented work plans for civics and decent citizens, the work plans with the ministries and the estimate budgets.

The Deputy Minister gave advice on drawing the plan; followed by the discussions of senior officers, UNFPA Myanmar’s youth committee members to coordinate with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Sports and other relevant ministries, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, the Union Civil Service Board, the Anti-Corruption Commission and UN agencies.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo:MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

The Ministry of Health and Sports and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) yesterday afternoon organized a virtual meeting on matters related to signing an agreement (2021-2023) for TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria cares in Myanmar and matters related to purchasing medicines and medical accessories for COVID-19 response efforts of the ministry, via videoconferencing.

The agreement for TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria cares will be funded through the Global Fund.

During the virtual meeting, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe expressed thanks to UNOPS for helping the ministry in purchasing medicines and medical supplies for COVID-19 response efforts by using the fund provided by UN and other international organizations. He said that the ministry is efficiently using the fund, medicines and medical accessories. He continued that hospitals in Yangon Region now have ‘medical supplies management dashboard’ in order to fulfil the needs in the hospitals.

He urged medical supplies purchasing and distribution experts of UNOPS and the experts of the Ministry of Health and Sports to jointly review the ministry’s current medical supplies purchasing and distribution system in order to improve it.

He highlighted the need to avoid lack of supportive care and lack of medicines for patients with TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria, and other patients amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Otherwise, death rates of the three diseases may be higher, so the ministry has done necessary preparations, according to the Union Minister.

He said that the help of UNOPS in purchasing 87 medicines and medical accessories for COVID-19 response efforts is very useful. He requested the UNOPS officials to help the ministry quickly get 95 ICU Ventilators.

UNOPS Yangon Office Programme Director Dr Attila Molnar said that USD$7.1 million, previously approved by the Global Fund, was allowed to be spent for COVID-19 response efforts of the ministry, and the Global Fund approved $18 million as C19RM support. He also discussed UNOPS’s preparation for Global Fund’s support (2021-2023) and the plan to sign the Global Fund’s Agreement in December this year.

He said that he feels glad to cooperate with the ministry in prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19. He called on Myanmar officials to allow the transport of medical supplies from one area to another across the nation despite COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

He said that using Antigen Test Kits in COVID-19 control efforts in Myanmar is appropriate, and if Myanmar wants to buy more Antigen Test Kits by spending the remaining fund, UNOPS will help Myanmar buy them. He also stressed that Myanmar has made impressive progress in the fight against TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe said that COVID-19 response efforts need to be taken in real-time, so the ministry and UNOPS need to hold virtual meetings via video conferencing at least once a month. He pledged that his ministry will cooperate with other relevant ministries to facilitate efficient transport of medical supplies from one area to another in Myanmar. He said that the ministry had already increased the budget for the Department of Medical Services to buy medicines and accessories to K300 billion this year. Similarly, the ministry increased the budget for the Department of Public Health to buy medicines and medical accessories. He concluded that the Deputy Director-General (Disease Control) and other relevant officials will make detailed discussions and negotiations to prepare for signing the Global Fund Agreement in December this year.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo:MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar