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"Eager to know more of federalism and peace even before and after the Union Peace Conference – 21^st Century Panglong, we at the Hpa-an, Karen State are so grateful of CDES for this gathering which marks the unity of differing opinions coming from people of different organizations which we can work on to move forward with self-determination in pursuit of peace for our country," thus says Saw Myat Htun Win in his opening remarks for the three day workshop slated 28-30 September 2016 at the Than Lwin Paradise Hotel, Hpa-an. 
Constancy of purpose and commitment to country for peace and reconciliation keeps the Centre for Development and Ethnic Studies led by its Executive Director Dr. Lian H. Sakhong and Managing Director, Mr. Bosse Temneus enthusiastic of reaching out to the different ethnic states conducting series of seminar workshops highlighting topics and concepts on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and the Framework for Political Dialogue, Democracy and Federalism, Women, Peace and Security, Gender Equality and Federalism with the resource persons namely : Mr. Salai Asang, Project Coordinator, Dr. Moses C. Tehlo, Research Director, Ms. Grace Ngun Za Tial, Office Manager and Dr. Janelyn I. Agbayani, Gender Advocate respectively.
Participants from various ethnic organizations to include former members of the Parliament, women network and political parties stressed that this is one of a kind workshop and first time ever held, and they raised that their expectations of such to be exciting, informative, and comprehensive and of great help to them in building a peaceful Karen society were met beyond compare.