International Federalism Days in Munich

7 Delegates from different national parties of Myanmar accompanied by our Resident Representative Mr. Achim Munz and Leander Ketelhodt, Program Manager, to the International Federalism Days in Munich and Kloster Banz

HSF

60 participants from 22 different countries participated in workshops and various discussions. The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Myanmar supported 7 Delegates from various organizations such as All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), National League for Democracy (NLD), Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Karen Women's Organization (KWO) and ultimately Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) to participate in the event in Germany.

Mr. Achim Munz with 6 Delegates in the background, observing one of the Delegates at the speaker’s desk of the ‘Upper House’ (German Bundesrat). In the upper background some emblems from German States can be spotted.

HSF

In more and more countries Federalism is being discussed as a model for reform. Under various preconditions, expectations are being addressed towards Federalism worldwide. The ability of Federalism to integrate diverging interests, autonomy movements, and territorial conflicts peacefully is emphasized. It is, however, apparent, that peace and development with or by Federalism are not guaranteed.

Federalism is closely connected with values of political participation in democracies. Federalism is a tool to deal with territorial and cultural pluralism. Managing conflicts and regulating cooperation are therefore the backbone of Federalism and alike tools such as Decentralization.

The International Federalism Days 2017 looked for answers to the following macro questions: 

• How does Federalism as a pragmatic and adaptable governance tool contribute to the management and resolution of conflicts?
• What are the promises of Federalism as a tool for conflict management? What its pitfalls?