Saw Kyaw Zin Khay

Saw Kyaw Zin Khay

Myanmar

I am Saw Kyaw Zin Khay, also known as Dar Dar, from the Karen ethnic group and grew up in Hpa-an, Karen State where civil war has been happening for many years. Because of the constant conflict, I wanted to be more involved in making a difference in my community. Now I have been working for Tagaung Institute of Political Studies as a researcher. I research about security issues and peace process in Myanmar. I am also a member of US Ambassador Youth Council (2018-2019) and I am passionately serving for Myanmar transition with US Ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Marciel. From 2016-2017, I volunteered with the Youth Policy making Team and National Dialogue. I went to ethnic armed groups heard quarter to help as a member of documentation team. I also volunteered with my university association and other organizations while I was studying at the Technological University in Hpa-an. I am an active YSEALI member, helping on two Federalism Symposiums hosted by the US Embassy. I returned from a YSEALI Academic Fellowship in the US at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia where I learned about civil rights, human rights and peaceful methods for change. I organized two workshops about Pluralism in my hometown where there are still many discriminations. I am passionate about empowering youth to make a change in their country and be actively involved in the peace process and other important issues that directly affect them.

I love volunteering for my community especially Karen children’s future opportunities and peace process in Karen State. Our country is on the way to Democracy, so I believe that our country needs a lot of energetic youths to serve for our country. From our country culture, giving opinion and arguing with our believe to older people is very rude, so  freedoom to express youths’ opinions and getting opportunities to expand role of youths are the biggest challenges for Myanmar youths.

My life is in a transition state and I am trying to be better my life to serve my community. I want to become positive peace in Myanmar. I don’t want all forms of discrimination and I love working in diversity community. I am going to serve for my country as much as I can.