42 > Next Generation Myanmar Youth who felt federalism was important portrayed it as a means to stem reactionary separatism. In interviews and discussions, some felt constitutional issues needed to be settled before the economy could improve. ‘Without resolving these conflicts, there won’t be any improvements,’ said a 27-yearold in Rakhine State. A peer in Taunggyi agreed, arguing: Youth consulted in this study seemed to believe that if Myanmar’s education system could prepare young people for themselves and earn a decent living, Myanmar’s transition would be more successful; 56.5 per cent of youth agree that in five years, Myanmar will be a more democratic country. If the peace process pays greater attention to education, even more might agree. ‘This country is multi-ethnic, there will always be different identity. And it should remain. We can achieve harmony with federalism. There will always be a nationalistic rhetoric, we need to keep this rhetoric as it is a matter of survival… indeed, minority ethnics do not have rights to defend their own future, nationalistic rhetoric is their only solution. It is only when we will have a comprehensive federalism that we will have better solutions.’ Myanmar in the world ‘Recently, I went to Singapore. I learnt a lot about the image of Myanmar. It is about Buddhists butchering the Muslims. Here we have a rich heritage and culture. But the international community [only] care about what is happening now. They care about the religious conflict, about ASSK [Aung San Suu Kyi] inactivity, about corruption…’ Interfaith activist, male, Taunggyi, age 26 Nonetheless, their opinion was a minority opinion among youth surveyed. Far more youth felt economic development and improved education were more important to lasting peace than federalism. As with the transition’s political reforms, most youth felt improved education was critical to the success of the peace process. Among university-educated youth, nine out of ten (91.5 per cent) felt improving education was important. Myanmar’s transition has opened the country to the world. Foreign capital, businesses, organisations and visitors have come to Myanmar in numbers previously unseen. To most youth surveyed in this study, foreigners coming to Myanmar to visit, live or work presents welcome opportunity. About two-thirds (66.3 per cent) felt it was good for Myanmar that foreigners were coming generally (see Figure 17). FIGURE 17 Most respondents (58.5 per cent) agreed that it was good that foreigners were coming to work for NGOs and other institutions. In interviews, several youth felt they could learn from foreigners working in NGOs, on topics ranging from economic development to social issues. As one 19-year-old in Rakhine State explained: ‘I believe we can learn from the foreigners. For example, my friends have been sexual harassed. In rural areas, people do not know what sexual harassment is and do not know how to counter it. Foreigners can help us understanding how to answer and respond to these acts.’ Another respondent predicted that Myanmar will have less of a need for NGOs when it becomes more developed. Respondents were slightly more receptive to foreigners doing business in Myanmar: 59.5 per cent of youth surveyed agreed it was good that more foreigners are coming to do business, with many youth speaking about the country’s need for foreign investment in interviews. To some respondents, however, some businesses were more welcome than others. ‘I believe there is three types of foreigners: there are visitors, the one who come for the development of the country and the worse ones are the ones who come for the extraction of natural resources,’ explained a 19-year-old conservation Figure 17: Attitudes towards foreigners I prefer foreigners from other Asian countries I think that more foreigners coming is posing a threat to Myanmar values I think it is good for Myanmar that more foreigners are coming towork in NGOs and other institutions I think it is good for Myanmar that more foreigners are coming to do business It is a good thing for Myanmar that more foreigners are coming More specifically, I think it is good for Myanmar that more tourists are coming 0 20 40 60 Neither agree nor disagree Do not know Agree Disagree 80 Prefer not to say 100