ENC Strategy Consultation meeting was held from on 3-5 February 2006. At that meeting, ENC not only adopted its work plan for 2006. It also came up with a “Transition Plan for Burma” (a revised version of the Road Map for Rebuilding the Union of Burma published in 2003). ENC also revised and produced a shorter version “Humanitarian Policy Paper” which was earlier produced in May 2005.
 

In this meeting, ENC adopted a work plan for strengthening unity among ethnic groups and the new State-based structure of ENC. “State Coordinating Body” for each state was created in the process. This was aimed to serve as a mechanism for ENC activities with grass-root people. As a measure to strengthen the “State Coordinating Bodies”, ENC delegation made solidarity trips to different states to meet with the political groups and civil society organizations in the month of February, April and May.
 

ENC delegate held meeting with Arakan National Council (ANC), one of the State Coordinating Body of Arakan State. The meeting was attended by ANC members of four political parties in Arakan State, women and youth organizations, and civil society groups.
 

ENC delegate held meeting with “Political Affairs Committee of Chinland” (PACC), one of the State Coordinating Body of Chin State. The PACC represents four political parties in Chin State, namely, Chin National Front (CNF), Chin National League for Democracy – Exile (CNLD-Exile), Mara People’s party (MPP) and Zomi National Congress (ZNC), and also the women organizations, youth organizations and Chin Civil Society groups.
 

ENC General Secretary Dr. Lian H. Sakhong, delivered a keynote speech at the 58th Anniversary of Union Day, celebrated by Burmese community in Tokyo, Japan. During the trip, he met the Director of Southeast Asia Bureau and Burma Desk Office at Foreign Ministry of Japan. He briefed them about ENC policy and activities specially about ENC policies on the Transition Plan, the State and Federal Constitutions drafting processes and the Current political situation and Humanitarian Crisis, and the need for Humanitarian Aid, especially in ethnic areas.

The Swedish Government awarded the “Olof Palme Prize” to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 28 February 2006. Related with this event, the Olof Palme International Center organized two seminars on February 27 and March 1, 2006. ENC General Secretary, Dr. Lian H. Sakhong, was invited as one of the speakers at both seminars. Dr. Lian H Sakhong suggested the following topics to be included in the seminar agenda;
 

1. Humanitarian Aid, especially Cross-border Assistance to Ethnic Areas, (it is hoped that Humanitarian Aid can become a mechanism through which a common ground where military junta and opposition groups can engage dialogue),

2. Smart Sanction (though Humanitarian Aid is urgently needed, international community still need to apply Smart Sanction on Burma effectively),

3. To bring the Burma’s case to UN Security Council,

4. To create an “International Forum on Burma”, (which is not an alternative approach to UN Security Council, but a supplementary effort to bring the Burma’s case at UN Security Council. And such effort will hopefully find means and way to bring a negotiated settlement in Burma’s political crisis.)

On the same day, ENC General Secretary had an opportunity to meet officers from Swedish Foreign Ministry and push for a “Stockholm Seminar on Burma”, an International Seminar on Burma planned to be organized by Swedish Foreign Ministry. This seminar was scheduled to be held in May 2006, but it has been postponed.
 

The European Institute of Asian Studies and the Euro-Burma Office jointly organized “The Burma Forum 2006”, in Brussels on March 29, 2006. The conference was followed by two days meting with Burma’s donors. The conference was a multi-level conference, focusing on challenges of working in Burma with special reference to how “Humanitarian Aids” can be delivered effectively to inside Burma, what will be the strategy and common position of international agencies, including UN agencies, working in Burma, and what will be the main challenges for the people of Burma etc.
 

Three members from ENC were present and ENC policy papers mainly emphasizing on the need for “Cross-border Assistance in Ethnic Areas” were presented.

Dr. Lian H. Sakhong - Humanitarian Aids: Ethnic Perspective
Saw David Taw - Situation of Internally Displaced and Cross-border Assistance
Ms. Shirley Seng - Basic Needs in Ceasefire Zone: Challenges of Working on the Border
 

ENC Delegate met the “Indian Parliamentarian Caucus on Burma” on 28th April 2006. Eight MPs and their aids attended the meeting. The ENC delegate seize the opportunity and explained the nature of political crisis in Burma and how ENC intend to solve the problem through peaceful means of “tripartite dialogue”. The ENC Team also requested the Indian MPs to assist in the political transition in Burma which would be beneficial to India national interest.

The 4th Ethnic Nationalities Conference was held from 28 April to 1 May 2005. Sixty-two delegates from the political organizations that founded the Ethnic Nationalities Council, and the youth and women delegates participated in the Conference.
 

Many issues were discussed during the conference. The most important decision taken in this conference was the formation of new Structure for ENC. A new structure for the ENC was adopted in this conference. ENC became State-based where the representatives to ENC were reconstituted based on the existing Arakan, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni (Kayah), Mon and Shan States. Given the current political situation, the Conference also decided to include representatives from the National Democratic Front and the United Nationalities League for Democracy (Liberated Area) in the Council in addition to the state representatives.
 

A meeting to Strengthen ENC position in building understanding with Allied Forces was held from 3 - 5 May 2005. During the meeting, the members discussed about the work plans for the Preparation of Tripartite Dialogue, for Democratic Transition, for Federal Constitution Drafting Process Strengthening State Constitutions Drafting Process, and for Strengthening Strategy Coordination under ENC & with the Democratic Forces.
 

A State-based Ethnic Nationalities Council Formation Meeting was held on September 19-21, 2005. In this meeting, the Central Executive Committee Members and Council members of ENC were elected representing the Seven States, UNLD-LA and NDF.
 

The Council Members comprise 44 members and out of which 9 are elected as Central Executive Committee (CEC) Members. In addition to the CEC members, the ENC appointed 7 Advisors.
 

ENC has been lobbying with different countries to engage in Burma issue. In October 2005, the ENC General Secretary met officers from Swedish Foreign Ministry and as a result, a brain-storming session on Burma was organized in December 2005 where highly qualified international experts and Burmese scholars and activists were invited to the sessions.