Introduction

Myanmar is a country inhabited by multi-ethnic nationalities with different customs, language and religion. This diversity can be an asset if the different ethnic nationalities appreciate each other's differences. Unfortunately though, most ethnic nationality groups adopted armed conflict as the means of protecting their cultural identity and seeking to meet their needs and interests as groups. Most of the ethnic armed conflicts have been dealt with peacefully after over forty years of armed struggle. Ceasefire agreements between the armed groups and the government were reached towards the end of the 1980s. However, there are three remaining groups — Chin, Kayin and one of the Kayah ethnic armed groups — that have not reached a similar agreement yet. Over forty years of armed struggle did not allow for the appreciation of diverse cultures and customs. Rather, it created serious divisions among ethnic nationality groups.

The country can at present be considered a deeply divided society and this divisiveness can be seen at various levels within the society — inter-personal, inter-communal, inter-group, and intra-group. Deep-rooted fears within individuals and groups lead to internal cohesion among like-minded groups. The stronger a group becomes, the stronger their view of other groups as their enemy. The relational gap between group and individual ethnic nationality is enormous.

Due to the lengthy armed conflicts, social-economic reconstruction and a reform of the system of governance have been ongoing. Since the beginning of the 1990s, religious organizations and a few NGOs have started community development programmes for the people at the grassroots level in some ethnic states. In a situation of protracted conflict, the transformation required can only take place through a comprehensive and integrated approach.