Myanmar at a Crossroads: Building Peace, Unity in Diversity, and a Federal Democratic Future
Speaker: Dr. Sasa
President and CEO of the Institute of Peace & Federal Democracy (IPFD)
November 18, ,2026 / 18:00-19:30 / In person only
Registration necessary (The location of the event will be sent to you to your registered email address prior to the event)
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Myanmar stands at a critical crossroads. Decades of military rule, ethnic conflict and political exclusion have left the country facing a profound humanitarian and political crisis. Yet amid the suffering and uncertainty, there remains hope for a peaceful, inclusive and democratic future. Drawing on his personal journey, from one of the poorest states of Myanmar, to humanitarian doctor and then to international diplomacy and peacebuilding, Dr Sasa will explore the roots of Myanmar’s crisis and the opportunities for building lasting peace through unity in diversity, federal democracy and practical cooperation.
He will outline five essential transformations -- political, security, social, economic and international -- and consider how trust and cooperation can be built even where political differences remain unresolved.
The talk will also examine Japan’s important potential role in supporting Myanmar’s future through humanitarian assistance, education, international partnerships and regional cooperation.
At its heart is a simple message: Myanmar’s diversity should be its greatest strength, and lasting peace begins when people choose cooperation over division.
Dr Sasa is a humanitarian, medical doctor and President and CEO of the Institute of Peace & Federal Democracy (IPFD). Born in one of Myanmar’s poorest areas, Chin State, he trained in medicine in Armenia and gained clinical experience in the United Kingdom. Founder of the humanitarian organisation Health and Hope, he has devoted much of his life to improving healthcare and opportunities for vulnerable communities. Following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, he helped establish the National Unity Government, serving as Special Envoy to the United Nations, Union Minister for International Cooperation and Spokesperson.
Today, Dr Sasa works to strengthen cooperation among Myanmar’s diverse communities and democratic stakeholders, advocating for peace, human rights and an inclusive federal democratic future.
This event is organized by Tina Burrett (Professor of Political Science, Sophia University) for the ICC Collaborative Research Unit “Populism in Comparative Context” with the Peace Research Institute at ICU.
