Media Release:

Mae Sod, Thailand 22 April 2012

A young Burmese takes the post of Vice-President of International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)
The Chair of Youth for a New Society (YNS), a youth organization of Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) is elected as Vice-President of International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) responsible for Asia-Pacific region. Naw Maybel Htoo, an ethnic Karen of Burma, was nominated for the position by DPNS and Akbayan Party of the Philippines at the IUSY World Congress held from 20-23 April 2012 in Asuncin, the capital of Paraguay. DPNS praises her success to take this responsibility of IUSY Vice-President which is the position hold by a Burmese in 1950s. This is for the first time after more than 50 years that a Burmese takes this position again. Aung Moe Zaw, the Chairperson of DPNS said "this proves that Burmese youth are qualified enough to contribute to the regional or world movement for democracy, social justice and peace. Once we get the chance, our young Burmese, together with their counterparts from regional and international community will be able to make an equal world possible." He added, "We members of DPNS and YNS are thankful to all the members of IUSY for their supports to her for this position." Naw Maybel Htoo is a young activist who has grown up in a refugee camp near the ThaiBurmese border and finished her education of high-school level at the school run by ABSDF (All Burma Students' Democratic Front). As a graduate from a high school in a refugee camp, she has no official certificate to continue her further study. However, she improved her knowledge and experience by having trainings provided by Burmese pro-democracy movements in exile along the Thai-Burmese border and working in the movement for more than 5 years. Recently, she was elected as the Chair of YNS. Youth for a New Society (YNS) is formed by young activists aiming at achieving freedom, equality and solidarity of all the people of Burma. Its mission is to build a peaceful society where all the people of Burma enjoy equality and freedom from oppressions, exploitations and discriminations. For media contact: Aung Moe Zaw (Tel: +1 571 505 4552; E-mail: amzaw@dpns.org) Zaw Zaw Htun (Tel: +66 81 5323177; E-mail: zawzawhtun@dpns.org) Naw Maybel Htoo (Tel: +66 81 6808500; E-mail: maybel07@gmail.com)