Given the recent ethnic violence in Myanmar, how can ASEAN enhance its Essay

Given the recent ethnic violence in Myanmar, how can ASEAN enhance its cooperation with a view to avoiding or mediating ethnic tensions in its member states in the future - Essay Example This study attempts to take an in depth analysis of this issues so as to explain the root causes of such conflicts, reviews the policies available and generate the possible alternative policies which can address this issue. The prevailing policies do not address the issues of how the member governments of ASEAN should resolve or avoid conflicts within their states (MacQueen, 2012). The Burmese government has tried to curb these conflicts by coming up with â€Å"seven steps road map† but this has proved not to work since the ethnic clashes are still ongoing (Lall, 2009). The Myanmar’s government needs to come up with alternative policies which will enhance cohesion among the member communities. Some of these alternatives include steps like encouraging dialogue among all the stake holders in the Burma state. It may also involve power sharing among the ethnic communities, enhancing democracy and justice to all with absolute fairness. This can be achieved through a genuine devolved system of governance that enhances autonomy to all the ethnic communities in Myanmar (Bray, 1992) I recommend the policy of establishing a devolved government. Burma has been in the military rule for over two decades. All the ethnic communities need to feel included and accepted in the government, they need to feel part of the policy makers and patriotic in the way they relate among each other at a national level. These ethnic groups need an assurance that their autonomy and identity will be upheld by supporting the government rather than opposing it (Brown, 1999). Myanmar has just recovered from the military rule that has been in control for over two decades (Lall, 2009). The new president Thein Sein will help the country to grow economically at a great pace. However, the ethnic conflicts are posing a serious challenge to the nation’s economic growth (Smith, 1994). The most recent is where the government forces conflicted with