The 3rd anniversary of the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office was held at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center in Nay Pyi Taw at 6:30 pm yesterday.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made a speech at the ceremony, and provided the students and school children of staff families with cash and stationaries.

Also present at the event were Union Minister for State Counsellor’s Office U Kyaw Tint Swe and wife, Union Minister for the Office of Union Government U Min Thu and wife, Union Minister for Planning and Finance U Soe Win, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe and wife, Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin, Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, Deputy Ministers U Khin Maung Tin, U Tin Myint, and U Maung Maung Win, the members of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD), and the IIndependent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE), the directors general and officials, the staff members and the invited guests.

In her speech, the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said:

“When I studied the anniversary events, I have noticed a trick of the time. It seemed to be some years ago the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office was founded. But it was just three year. It is not a long-time span. I concluded that the ministry functioned very well, and that it was felt the time was very long. It has been firmly rooted to get a good foundation. This was due to the efforts of all the staff members at this ministry.

“The Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office is largely concerned with the national reconciliation and peace-making efforts. It is the most important tasks of the ministry and the country.

We performed our duties by taking priority on national reconciliation as the most fundamental needs for our country since we took office.

Therefore, I would like to review the previous milestones of the ministry.

After taking office in 2016, our government unexpectedly encountered Rakhine issue. We formed the NRPC to focus on peace-making efforts of the country.

We have already understood we needed to address Rakhine crisis since it broke out in 2012.

However, the issue was exaggerated after armed conflicts with ARSA in 2016, causing more challenges. At that time the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office had to handle both peace and national reconciliation. At the start, I emphasized on internal problems to build reconciliation and peace. Therefore, the ministry was unexpectedly engaged in more struggles. We had to make more efforts in further rising issues. The collaborative and team-work efforts of the staff members from this ministry play crucial part in these works.

“I want to express thanks here to my all staff because they had to implement the visions and missions of the leaders who are also taking a leading role with sufficient capacities to manage a department well. Without these staff members, the department will not function systematically.

“Meanwhile, I would also like to suggest to lay a solid foundation in following procedures of civil service employees. Their works reflected our country. They were generated from the country’s education, social systems and political situations. These staff members are our citizens. Our citizens are the reflections of our country’s status, history and the past events. These situations have in turn impacts on the capacities of the civil service staff. I took a great consideration on the capacity building for them. To be able to perform their duties efficiently, they need good practicing that based on the knowledge they have learnt.

“Basic and university education play a pivotal role in capacity-building of the civil service staff. The senior staff members who experienced previous admirative systems could hardly refresh in learning. However, the young people have more chances to be supported and more opportunities to be taught. The elder persons could overcome difficulties by their previous experiences in education system and teaching methods. It is also believed that they could develop updated idea based on their experiences and views no matter they saw the problems from any education background.

“It is very optimistic about young generation of our country. First, I am proud of them. Second, I want to encourage them. They are brilliant. They have a brighter future. They should know these advantages to be able to develop motivation and self-confidence. Moreover, I want to give a message that the future of our nation is filled with high expectation. But expectation will come into realize only with efforts. It will not be reached without any work. We will have to fulfill our expectation through our works. In this regard, the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office have taken crucial role to reach the goal of our country. The ministry is fulfilling and implementing the most fundamental and necessary issues for our country.

“I do not mean other ministries are not important. Our ministry need a lot of helps from other ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Finance, as well as health, education and the Attorney -General office. Good-minded persons for the welfare of the State need team-work capacities. The lack of cooperation among the individually capable persons will not turn out a perfect result.

“National reconciliation is the work for developing a united strength from diverse idea and thinking. This strength is very necessary for our country. Peace can be made by this trend, like in Rakhine issue. We are finding the best way for the people with different views, hopes and requirements.

“I have often said that our country will surely develop if we consider more about giving to others, rather than taking from them. It is also the same practices in peace making processes. I suggested all the participants in peace-talks to consider about giving first, without focusing on receiving. They should take pride by developing this attitude. Taking opportunities in possible means is not a reason for pride. The Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office has taken priority to develop this attitude in the course of peace efforts. I also advise our staff members to have this mindset.

“I tried a lot for the welfare of our civil service staff. They are also advised to work better for the development of our country. Success will gain momentum through mutual cooperation. We could enjoy our lives more and more from the development of our State. Some might admire the employees of well- developed countries. However, our country need a lot of capable employees. The State Counsellor concluded her speech, saying that every generation could not get opportunity to bring the fortune of the State. We are getting this chance. We should take this advantage. Bringing the fortune of the country would develop more satisfaction and could lead the one’s luck to a better trend.

After the speech, the State Counsellor presented cash and stationaries for the university students and school children from the families of staff members of the ministry for 2019-2020 academic year.

Then, the State Counsellor posed documentary photos with the Union ministers and their wives, the deputy ministers, the members of UEHRD and ICOE, Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe and wife, Deputy Minster U Khin Maung Tin, the directors general, the staff members of the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office, the staff members of Department of Policy Affairs and the staff members of the Department of Union Peace Formation. Then, the State Counsellor had dinner together with the attendees to the third anniversary event. —MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)