Youth engagement expands to promote social cohesion in Arakan State

By Admin 03 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

3 September 2026, Kyauktaw

Initiatives promoting social cohesion across Arakan State are expanding through constructive, informal dialogues and cultural exchange forums among youth from diverse ethnic communities.

In late August, Arakanese, Mro, Chakma, Khami, Muslim, and Hindu youth gathered in Kyauktaw Township for a joint networking and cultural exchange meeting.

“The objective is to strengthen youth participation in the development of Arakan State. It was organized to build closer relationships among youth in Arakan State, with the goal of fostering peace, stability, and development in the future,” said one of the event organizers.

During the gathering, participants engaged in open discussions and shared the cultural traditions and customs of different communities, which organizers said could help enhance solidarity among diverse groups.

A Muslim youth participant said youth dialogues could contribute to reducing conflict in Arakan State and support peaceful coexistence in the future.

“Muslims have not just recently arrived in Arakan State; we have historically coexisted alongside other communities, sharing the same land and water. Having the opportunity to exchange cultural traditions like this will greatly support long-term social cohesion. Continuing such events in the future will reduce conflict and build mutual trust,” said Ko Maung Maung Than, a Muslim youth participant.

Muslim youth said creating dialogue platforms among diverse youth in Arakan State is yielding visible improvements in inter-community relations.

The youth gathering in Kyauktaw Township was attended by approximately 100 participants, including Arakanese, Mro, Chakma, Khami, Muslim, and Hindu youth.

Youth participants pointed out that social cohesion among diverse ethnic groups is vital to rebuilding Arakan State and said the United League of Arakan (ULA) should also prioritize ethnic affairs alongside these youth-led efforts.

“Officials serving under the United League of Arakan (ULA) must also pay attention to minority ethnic groups and actively work toward social cohesion,” said Ko Aung Lin, a Chakma youth.

Similar youth meetings are also being held regularly in Maungdaw District.

The Arakan Army is working to foster social cohesion among diverse ethnic communities in Arakan State while involving all ethnic groups in building its administrative apparatus.