YANGON, 5 Jan-The Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Course No 10 of the Union Solidarity and Development Association concluded at the Pyidaungsu Hall of the association in Hmawby Township , Yangon Division this morning with an address by member of USDA Central Panel of Patrons Prime Minister General Soe Win.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary-General of the USDA, the Vice-Secretary-General and the Secretaries, CEC members, guests, supervisors and trainees.

In his address, Prime Minister General Soe Win said that the USDA was formed with the youths to serve the national duty in building a peaceful, modern and developed nation.

Since its birth, the association has been in the service of the State and the people while engaged in management and organization works and constantly training and nurturing the new generation youths.

The courses are being conducted for the new generation youths to be imbued with strong belief and conviction and Union Spirit, knowledge, education, technological and vocational skills and changes and developments of the nation.

To extensively take part in nation-building endeavours, the youths are to broaden the horizon of Myanmar and International Affairs and uplift the national capability.

Training and nurturing the new generation youths on whom the State and the USDA can rely amounts to shaping the future of the nation for human resources development.

At the course, the new generation youths have already studied Myanmar history, national policy, political, economic and social development, the seven-point Road Map, national defence and security and international affairs.

As the world events are undergoing changes and developments in all aspects, the youths are to make a thorough study on the situations of international affairs in order to fully realize the prevailing situations. The State is strictly adhering to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and practising the policy of peace, amity, mutual respects, equality and non-interference in other nations’ affairs. In dealing with nations of the world, Myanmar is practising independent and active foreign policy and is also cooperating with international organizations and social organizations including nations in the region, global nations and the United Nations. It is safe to say that the new generation youths have realized the prevailing situations of the nation and international affairs to a certain extent as they studied changes and developments of the nation and international situations at the course. They are to accept knowledge, education, technology, idea and procedures obtained from the course as work guidelines and to make a constant study to be qualified and well-versed in the developments.

He said it is a country where over 100 national races have lived in unity and amity. They live through thick and thin and possess consolidated traditions, mutual understanding and Union Spirit.

National solidarity disintegrated and political, economic and social conditions were low due to servitude and divide-and-rule policy. Taking the lessons from the past, Our Three Main National Causes non-disintegration of the Union , non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty were laid down as national policy. The basis of Our Three Main National Causes is Union Spirit, he said.

He said the people are to safeguard Myanmar society after realizing the value of the Union , unity, peace and sovereignty. Political, economic, organizational and administrative outlooks, national characters and the Union Spirit are strengths that can build the nation, he said. He said it is very important for all the nationals to have consolidated Union Spirit. The Union spirit is a genuine patriotism to be preserved by all the national races. Efforts are to be made for keeping Union Spirit alive forever.

He said the nation is now on the right path of development owing to the efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw and internal national forces in accord with the twelve objectives. There are better foundations on peace, national economic development and human resource development in the country.

He said the government is actively taking part in the efforts for raising the living standard of rural people who constitute 70 per cent of the population, better transportation, water and power supply, development of rural economy and upgrading health standard.

The government is endeavouring for development of agriculture as the base and all round development of other sectors of the economy. For development of agriculture measures are being undertaken for full operation of farm equipment and utilization of diesel-substitute bio-gas, he added.

He said Myanmar ’s climate favours jetropha curcas and fuel can obtained from it. The cultivation of the jetropha curcas should be extended. Jetropha curcas oil can be used as fuel and the paste can be used as fertilizer.

Trainees are urged to cultivate jetropha curcas as a national duty with the hope of encouraging the development of the industrial sector and agriculture sector of the State.

In an effort to build the peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation, the Government laid down the seven-point Road Map. As part of an effort to draft the constitution, the National Convention, the first step of the Road Map, is insession with the active participation of delegates. The constitution plays a key role in building the future State.

The delegates representing the views of the people are participating at the National Convention. They express their desires frankly at the group discussions of the convention to lay down basic principles for the constitution.

Only when the constitution is formulated, will the peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation emerge and will the people enjoy peace and tranquillity, freedom, social equality, unity and development.

All are to participate with national awareness for success of the National Convention.

As a gesture of hailing the National Convention, public welfare services, cash and blood donation activities are being carried out across the nation. USDA, Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar War Veteran’s Association and social organizations also participated in activities to hail the National Convention.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister urged USDA members, as a strong national force, to serve the interests of the State and the people by making full use of development fruits; to cultivate the sense of national solidarity and equality and Union Spirit; and strive for the successful implementation of the seven-point Road Map of the State, five rural development tasks and future work programmes of the association by upholding Our Three Main National Causes and the 12 objectives.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister General Soe Win cordially greeted the trainees. The training course was attended by a total of 207 trainees from states and divisions.