National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

22 December 2005 (Press Release)

Thailand's Initiative to Expand Education of Refugees from Burma Applauded

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma wholeheartedly welcomes the Royal Thai Government's decision to provide educational services to refugees from Burma living in camps along the common border.
 
The more than 140,000 refugees, who fled Burma to escape persecution have long wished for this opportunity and they will truly be indebted to the Royal Thai Government for its benevolence and humanitarian spirit.
 
The wise decision to provide educational assistance and occupational skills in addition to food, accommodation, and health care will restore self-confidence and dignity to the refugees, particularly the younger generation whose future has been bleak before.
 
Prime Minister Dr Sein Win said, "We hope that the program will provide skills and capacity to the refugee population so that they will be able to serve not only their own communities but also contribute to regional development projects, including environmental preservation along the Thai-Burma border. The program will also help prepare the educated refugee population to participate in the rebuilding of their own communities back in Burma when peace returns."
 
The NCGUB is convinced that inclusion of Thai language skills and cultural exchanges through closer contacts will increase the understanding Thai culture among the people of Burma and contribute to the strengthening of good will and friendship between the two peoples.
 
The NCGUB calls on all education and culture related UN agencies and international NGOs as well as governments to welcome the education initiative in Thailand and help further the education of people of Burma taking refuge in Thailand.