A Shared Vision and Commitment toward Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Preservation
January 14-16, 2025
With concerted effort and coordination between the Salween Peace Park’s Governing Committee, the Mutraw District Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD), local communities and the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), a three-day environmental and cultural exchange camp was organized and undertaken from January 14-16, 2025. This was done under the motto “A Shared Vision and Commitment Toward Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Preservation”, a part of the ongoing “Intergenerational Dialogue Forum”. The event was held in the Salween Peace Park at Bue Ah Der Village in Butho Township of Mutraw District of Kawthoolei. Around 500 participants, representing 11 schools, local Indigenous elders, Mutraw District’s KNU leaders, members of the Salween Peace Park Governing Committee and of community-based organizations enthusiastically joined the three-day youth exchange camp which was considered a success by all who participated.






“This event is aimed at cultivating understanding among our new generation about the natural resources within their local environment. Specifically, we want them to learn about the ecosystem, its biodiversity, and the wonders of natural creation” said Saw Blaw Htoo, an expert wildlife and forest researcher.
The goal of the youth exchange camp was to create a space for ongoing learning as well as a platform where Indigenous elders-traditional knowledge holders- come together with Karen students and youth to and share knowledge, wisdom, experiences on sustainable environmental stewardship, natural resource management and the preservation of biocultural practices and insights. The forum was a continuation of the ancestral mode of instruction on maintaining a balanced and reciprocal relationship with Nature while advancing more current ideas of rights to self-determination over participants ancestral territory, natural resources and cultural heritage.






“The youth camp exchange provided a valuable platform for the young generation to express their enthusiasm for learning and to actively engage in discussions concerning the preservation of their cultural heritage and the environment. This experience served as a powerful catalyst for the current generation to assume responsibility for environmental stewardship and the perpetuation of indigenous Karen traditions” said Saw Thaw Kler of the SPP Cultural Revitalization Working Group Head.
During the three-day exchange the major activities comprised of a panel discussion on the imperative of strengthening the Indigenous Karen peoples’ biocultural knowledge system for the sustainable stewardship and management of their ancestral “Kaw” territories governance system. Within and beyond that is the sustainable use of natural resources, maintenance of biological diversity and cultural heritages, explained though such means as cultural musical plays, dances and recitals as well as hands-on environmental activities such as conducting forest inventories, bird watching and documentation, identification of aquatic species and water quality testing.






Naw Hai Gay Moo, Karen Teacher Training College (KTTC) student, said “We want more programs like this to learn more things. We wish to join more events like this in the future.”
Sports activities including football, volley ball and caneball provided an outlet for the high energy levels of the youthful participants.