In a three day meeting, Mon delegates discussed ways to build links between world-wide Mon communities.  They called on Mon groups to develop the provision of local education and healthcare.

Below is an article published by Kaowao News:

A group of Mon delegates have proposed a new mandate to strengthen solidarity among the Mons and urged all Mon to focus their struggle on building up local capacity to improve health, education and development, say observers close to Mon politicians.

Delegates from four regions met for three days in the Bleh Donpite village, an area controlled by the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and called on Mon communities worldwide to stand together to build solidarity.

According to Nai Layeh Rot, the main organizer of the Mon Affairs Union (MAU), the members discussed ways to improve leadership and assistance among the Mons, to develop political, economic, and social affairs and to build solidarity in achieving self-determination for the Mon people.

“The conference gathering has evolved and has improved quite a bit because of the appointment of members from different regions which will lead our cause”, said Liaison Officer of the NMSP, Nai Ong Mangae who spoke to a Kaowao reporter.

 The 4th Mon National Conference, organized by the MAU, was held from 27-29 December 2007 in a New Mon State Party controlled area.  The MAU is headed by a leading committee comprised of Ms. Sardar and her fellow delegates, Nai Damrong (Thai Mon leader), Nai Chan Toi (New Mon State Party) and Nai Suwanna.

The Mon conference was attended by 73 delegates including senior leaders of the NMSP, MUL, overseas participants from the USA, Australia and the Thai Mon community.

Some critics worry that the MAU may not be able to reach out to the international institutions like the previous umbrella organization, the MUL had done.  The MUL had participated in a number of international conferences including the United Nations Working Groups on Indigenous Populations (UN-WGIP), UNPO and other important international gatherings.

The MAU is now selecting the 32 delegates from among the four regions, namely inside Burma, on the Thai-Burma border, liberated areas, and overseas. This leading team will meet in March 2007 for further discussion, formal planning and to focus on a common purpose.

[Source: Kaowao News Group - www.kaowao.org]