Workshop on Federalism in Taunggyi

Participants of the Workshop on Federalism that took place in Taunggyi. Mr. Achim Munz, Resident Representative, U Aung Soe Min and Leander Ketelhodt, Program Managers represented HSF and travelled up to Taunggyi to support our int. Experts and to offer assistance.

HSF

On the first day, the international and local experts facilitated workshops on the topics of "constitutional protection of power sharing", "self-determination and non-secession in federal constitution", "constitutional amendment procedures in federal systems" and "constitutional review system in federal countries".

The second day was opened with a keynote speech by Dr. Soeren Keil from Canterbury Christ Church University on power sharing in practice and was followed by a vivid Q&A session. 

Throughout the day there were two workshop sessions with four small working groups each. The topics ranged from shared competencies and decision of power (Dr. Xavier Philippe), revenue sharing from natural resources and taxation (Dr. Nico Steytler), coordination, cooperation and dispute resolution mechanisms (Paul Anderson) to central/ subunit relations (Dr. Soeren Keil).

Example of a Group Work during the Workshop. The attendants were encouraged to put into practice the political science theory delivered by the int. Experts

HSF

In the afternoon the participants used voting devices to anonymously answer questions on future scenarios of Myanmar. As an example, the question “To whom should the resolution of disputes over competences between the Union and the States be granted?” was answered by 79% of the participants with “the constitutional tribunal” while 21% voted for “An ad hoc commission only staffed with states’ representatives”. No votes received the answers “The Speaker of the Union Parliament” and “The President of the Union”.

Mr. Paul Anderson from Canterbury Christchurch University and a local expert as a technical facilitator talked about coordination, cooperation and dispute resolution mechanisms in their group outside of Taunggyi Hotel.

HSF

The HSF has also distributed a second questionnaire “Survey Questions on Federalism and Peace Process”. Based on the findings of this questionnaire a survey / research report will be released this year. In a comparative way the results of this Workshop will be opposed to the results of the Workshop on Federalism in Yangon.

The HSF would like to thank the four international experts – Dr. Xavier Philippe, Dr. Nico Steytler, Dr. Soeren Keil and Paul Anderson as well as the eight local experts from different CSOs, likewise the participants for days full of good discussions!