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| The NLD hopes to inspire a new generation of members. |
Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), said it plans to convene a nationwide youth conference to empower a younger generation of political activists to prepare for leadership positions in the future.
Earlier this month, the NLD formed a central committee to facilitate the founding of youth committees across the country. Chairman Maung Maung Oo said they will also form committees at district and township levels.
“Over the next three months, we will be embarking on a recruitment drive to attract members between the ages of 16 and 30,” he said. “Once this is accomplished, we will set about planning the youth conference, hopefully for December or January.”
He said that the party hoped that this youth drive would stand it in good stead to win the general election in 2015.
The NLD has had a youth wing since its formation in 1988. However, many of its members have criticised the central committee over the years for its intransigence and reluctance to change the old guard—many of the party’s leaders, including Tin Oo and Win Tin, are octogenarians.
