World Happiness Foundation Statement on SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
Introduction: Health as the Core of Sustainable Happiness Good health
Statement for UN High-Level Conference on Rohingya and Minorities in Myanmar
The World Happiness Foundation (WHF) welcomes the convening of the High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar on 30 September 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters. This gathering, mandated by UN General Assembly resolution 79/278, offers a crucial opportunity to mobilize political will and compassion for one of the most urgent humanitarian and human rights crises of our time. We stand in solidarity with all efforts to review the crisis in Myanmar, address its root causes, and propose a comprehensive plan for a sustainable resolution, including conditions for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland. In alignment with our mission, we affirm that lasting peace in Myanmar is inseparable from the happiness and well-being of its people. Indeed, the global call “A Call for Peace: The End of Wars and Respect for International Law” – which WHF fully endorses – underlines that today’s conflicts are “solvable through dialogue” and that oppression and poverty fuel violence. The plight of the Rohingya exemplifies this truth: decades of disenfranchisement and suffering have led to instability that can only be overcome through dialogue, justice, and fundamental respect for human dignity. Our Foundation has recently gained ECOSOC consultative status at the UN, and we are committed to bringing our principles of non-violence, trauma-informed conflict resolution, and Fundamental Peace to the forefront of the discussions.
Fundamental Peace is the cornerstone of our perspective. When we speak of peace, we mean more than the absence of war – we mean a deep harmony that aligns inner well-being with outer justice and freedom. It is what we call Fundamental Peace – a “quality of consciousness that arises when one’s inner life aligns with outer truth,” creating a harmony born of freedom, consciousness, and shared happiness. This kind of peace is both courageous and compassionate: it requires us to address tangible grievances while also healing hearts and minds. It recognizes, as the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way approach does, that true resolution lies in neither dominance nor secession, but in interdependence and mutual recognition. We believe that applying this principle of Fundamental Peace to Myanmar’s multi-ethnic society – fostering dialogue, understanding, and shared humanity – is critical to ending the cycle of violence and displacement. In this statement, we outline our position rooted in non-violence, trauma-informed peacebuilding, social integration, inner peace, and forgiveness as keys to resolving the Rohingya crisis and building a brighter future for all communities in Myanmar.
At the heart of the World Happiness Foundation’s approach is an unwavering commitment to non-violence. We join the United Nations and global civil society in stressing that there is no military solution to the Rohingya crisis – only a human solution. All parties, especially those in positions of power, must categorically renounce the use of force and violence in addressing grievances. We echo calls for a universal renunciation of violence as a means of conflict resolution, to be replaced by dialogue, diplomacy, and restorative justice. The horrors inflicted upon the Rohingya and other minority communities – from village burnings to mass displacement – underscore that violence only begets further suffering and entrenches cycles of hatred. We commend the international community’s insistence that Myanmar’s authorities cease all military offensives and atrocities against civilians. Repatriation of refugees will remain impossible “if we are unable to put an end to the military junta’s indiscriminate airstrikes and bombings,” as a Myanmar representative to the UN recently noted. An immediate cessation of hostilities and human rights abuses is a non-negotiable first step.
However, non-violence is not passive – it is an active, powerful force for change. As our Foundation’s reflections on peace have observed, non-violence “is not passive – it is fierce with awareness. It is the refusal to let suffering define the future,” and this refusal, rooted in compassion, is where healing begins. We hold up examples like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Aung San Suu Kyi’s early vision of a peaceful Myanmar (despite the complexities of history) as reminders that moral courage can disarm injustice. We urge all stakeholders – governments, ethnic leaders, and international actors – to commit to resolving disputes with words, not weapons. In practical terms, this means dramatically expanding support for mediation, dialogue forums, and diplomatic intervention. The United Nations should bolster its mediation capacity to facilitate talks between the Myanmar authorities, ethnic minority representatives, and refugee leaders so that grievances can be heard and negotiated in good faith. It also means implementing the culture of non-violence at every level of society: from how security forces handle unrest, to how communities handle tensions. Militarized responses to political and social problems have proven to only “breed further hatred and suffering”. We instead advocate for approaches like Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and community dialogue to defuse conflicts. Training programs in empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution – for soldiers, police, civil servants, youth leaders, and educators – can transform how disagreements are managed, replacing coercion with understanding. To reinforce this norm, WHF supports calls for an International Declaration of Non-Violence endorsed by all UN Member States. Such a declaration would serve as a global pledge that violence shall not be used to settle conflicts, whether between states or within them, and would strengthen the moral and legal framework that holds peace as the only acceptable option.
Crucially, a commitment to non-violence in Myanmar’s context must come from all sides. We appeal not only to the government and military, but also to any armed groups operating in Myanmar, including factions associated with the Rohingya or other minorities: lay down arms and choose dialogue. The Rohingya people’s quest for rights and safety does not need to be waged with bullets; it can and must be pursued through the force of truth and the moral weight of international law and human rights. Likewise, the grievances of other ethnic minorities in Myanmar (Kachin, Karen, Chin, Shan and others who have experienced conflict) must be addressed through political negotiation and inclusive nation-building, not through protracted insurgencies or crackdowns. By banning violence as a policy tool, we create space for meaningful discussions on autonomy, citizenship, resource-sharing, and justice. WHF believes that if the habit of dialogue is cultivated persistently – through regular peace talks, “track II” diplomacy with civil society, and community peace workshops – trust can slowly be rebuilt even after the darkest chapters of violence. Non-violence is both a principle and a practical strategy: it lays the groundwork for all other solutions to take root.
We also encourage the international community to reinforce this principle of non-violence. The upcoming conference itself is a testament to diplomacy. We urge Member States to consider concrete outcomes such as: a renewed call in the General Assembly for the protection of civilians in Myanmar; support for a global arms embargo against those who continue to commit atrocities; and robust backing for ASEAN and UN special envoys to broker talks. Additionally, on the eve of the conference, we note the significance of the calendar: October 2 – just two days later – is the International Day of Non-Violence, commemorating Gandhi’s birthday. Let us use this symbolic moment to recommit to peace. We propose that all nations present at the conference pledge to report progress on reducing violence and hate crimes at next year’s UN meetings. Civil society and religious leaders, too, can mark that day with public statements rejecting violence in all forms. By making non-violence not just a reactive measure but a proactive global norm, we can move humanity toward a future where war and persecution are unthinkable.
As we address the Rohingya crisis, we must remember that peace is not built only on political agreements, but also on healing wounds – visible and invisible. The Rohingya people have endured unspeakable trauma: families torn apart, villages razed, rampant sexual violence against women, and years of deprivation in refugee camps. Other minority communities in Myanmar have likewise suffered from decades of civil strife and state repression. These deep grievances and traumas drive the cycle of violence, and unless they are compassionately addressed, any political solution will remain fragile. The World Happiness Foundation advocates a trauma-informed approach to conflict resolution – one that places restoration and healing at its core rather than retribution or neglect.
A trauma-informed peace process starts by acknowledging the pain and humanity of all those affected. We urge that any comprehensive plan include mechanisms for truth-telling, justice, and reconciliation. Rather than responding to violence with more violence or with punitive measures alone, societies should respond with “justice that heals”. This means prioritizing avenues for survivors to voice their experiences, for perpetrators to acknowledge wrongdoing, and for communities to rebuild trust. The world has powerful examples to draw upon. In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) allowed a society fraught with atrocity to confront its past through public testimony and conditional amnesty – helping to “prevent a spiral of retribution after apartheid”. In Rwanda, community-based Gacaca courts and reconciliation programs enabled many perpetrators of the 1994 genocide to confess and seek forgiveness, which has been vital for communal healing. In Colombia, truth commissions and reparations programs have been instrumental in addressing decades of civil war trauma. We recommend similar restorative justice mechanisms for Myanmar when the conditions permit. Any future peace agreement or transition in Myanmar should formally incorporate a truth and reconciliation process. This could take the shape of an independent commission to investigate the crimes against the Rohingya and other minorities, to document the truth of what happened, and to give survivors their day to be heard. Such a body, ideally supported by the UN and regional partners, can lay the groundwork for forgiveness and coexistence by establishing an authoritative record of events and recognizing the suffering endured.
Forgiveness, difficult as it may be, is a powerful tool for breaking cycles of vengeance. We do not propose a naive absolution of heinous crimes – accountability is essential – but we do uphold that reconciliation is impossible without some willingness to forgive. A trauma-informed approach would encourage initiatives at both national and grassroots levels to foster empathy between communities. For example, community dialogues could be arranged between Rohingya refugees and Rakhine Buddhist communities (many of whom also experienced violence and displacement in the turmoil). Such dialogues, facilitated by trained peacebuilders, can humanize former adversaries and dispel toxic narratives. Programs of interfaith and inter-ethnic exchange can help rebuild social fabric, allowing neighbors to see each other as human beings beyond labels. Where appropriate, traditional and cultural practices of conflict resolution should be utilized – for instance, using respected local elders or religious leaders to mediate and promote healing, drawing on cultural notions of forgiveness and harmony.
Justice must also be served in a way that heals. WHF supports avenues of accountability that focus on restorative outcomes. This includes legal accountability for the most serious crimes – we note ongoing international efforts such as the International Court of Justice case on genocide, and we believe those responsible for orchestrating atrocities must face consequences. Yet, beyond punitive justice, there should be reparative measures: compensation for victims, memorialization of lost loved ones, and guarantees of non-repetition. A creative approach could involve a reparations fund for survivors of violence in Myanmar, perhaps funded by international contributions or redirected military expenditures (turning “bullets into bread,” so to speak). Reparations – whether financial or in forms like rebuilding homes and schools – acknowledge harm and help restore dignity.
A core element of trauma-informed peacebuilding is providing widespread psychosocial support and mental health care. Trauma is not just an individual affliction; it is collective. In the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, aid organizations report high levels of PTSD, depression, and hopelessness among Rohingya refugees – who see little future for themselves or their children. Within Myanmar, communities scarred by violence often struggle with fear, anger, and inter-generational trauma. We call on the international community and humanitarian agencies to significantly scale up mental health services for these populations. This could include training Rohingya refugee volunteers as community counselors, establishing trauma counseling centers in camps and conflict areas, and ensuring that any repatriation or reintegration plans come with strong psychological support systems. Healing trauma is a long-term endeavor, but it is integral to breaking the transmission of hatred from one generation to the next.
In practical terms, WHF recommends that the High-Level Conference outcomes support: (a) the creation of a Myanmar Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (when circumstances allow), with a mandate to address the Rohingya persecution and other ethnic conflicts, drawing on best practices from similar commissions worldwide; (b) the inclusion of restorative justice programs in refugee repatriation plans – for example, community reconciliation projects in Rakhine State, where returnees and local communities can collaboratively identify grievances and solutions, facilitated by peacebuilders; (c) international funding for trauma healing initiatives, such as resilience training, support groups (especially for women and youth), and cultural healing ceremonies; and (d) ensuring that any tribunals or courts addressing this crisis (national or international) incorporate victim testimony and aim for outcomes that help rebuild social harmony rather than merely punish. By focusing on “truth-telling, forgiveness, reparations, and the restoration of relationships”, Myanmar can begin to break the vicious cycle where today’s oppressed could become tomorrow’s avengers. Instead, today’s victims and survivors can become the leaders of reconciliation, given the right support and acknowledgement. A peace that heals is a peace that lasts.
One of the fundamental roots of the Rohingya crisis – and many conflicts in Myanmar – is the denial of identity and inclusion. Peace will not be sustainable if we do not address how Rohingya and other minorities can be fully integrated into the nation’s social, political, and economic fabric as equal members. For decades, the Rohingya have been excluded and stateless in their own homeland, stripped of citizenship by unjust laws and ostracized by divisive rhetoric. This exclusion is not only a grave injustice; it is profoundly destabilizing. As WHF founder Luis Gallardo has noted from his long experience in peace studies, the “fracture between who we are and how we are allowed to be” is often the root cause of unrest. In conflict zones around the world, “the suppression of identity becomes a slow violence that infects generations” – denying people the right to belong sowed seeds of anger, despair, and resistance that can erupt into conflict. Myanmar’s history bears this out: policies and narratives that refused to recognize the Rohingya as an indigenous community deserving of rights created deep grievances and a sense of existential threat for that community. Similarly, other ethnic groups in Myanmar have fought for decades largely because they felt their identities, languages, and autonomy were under assault by a centralizing state. Reversing this dynamic is paramount.
The World Happiness Foundation calls for a future in which Myanmar’s diversity is celebrated as its strength, not seen as a problem to be solved. To this end, we urge the conference and the international community to press for concrete commitments from Myanmar (and any future government there) on social integration and human dignity for all minorities. This includes, first and foremost, the restoration of citizenship and legal rights to the Rohingya. Without citizenship or some secure legal status, the Rohingya cannot genuinely be part of Myanmar’s society. We support the calls to repeal or amend the 1982 Citizenship Law to ensure it is inclusive and non-discriminatory. Recognition of the Rohingya’s identity – including use of the name “Rohingya” itself, which has too often been a flashpoint – is crucial for restoring dignity. People must be able to self-identify; as one principle of peace states, “everyone has the right to be who they are, openly and without fear.”
Integration does not mean forced assimilation; it means building a union where multiple identities coexist with mutual respect. As the Middle Way approach in the Tibetan context teaches, a just solution “does not call for independence, nor does it accept domination – it asks instead for relationship, for recognition, for space to breathe as oneself within the shared container of the whole”. For Myanmar, this translates into granting minorities genuine autonomy in managing their affairs (consistent with a federal democratic structure) while keeping the nation intact. It means protecting languages, cultures, and religions of minority groups under the law, and involving those groups in governance. For the Rohingya specifically, integration will involve guaranteeing their security and rights in Rakhine State and wherever they reside, ensuring they have representation in local government, access to services, and freedom of movement like any other citizen. Communities hosting returning refugees should be engaged early with peace education and anti-discrimination programs to facilitate reintegration and prevent a resurgence of hostility.
We also emphasize the need for economic and social inclusion as part of integration. The Rohingya areas of Rakhine were among the poorest even before the 2017 exodus, and those conditions have worsened. Many minority regions in Myanmar (Chin, Kachin, Shan, etc.) have also suffered from under-development, often exacerbated by conflict. A comprehensive peace must address issues of poverty, land rights, and development in these areas – not as afterthoughts, but as central components. We therefore call for an internationally supported development plan for Rakhine State and other conflict-torn regions, tied to benchmarks in the peace process. This plan should involve Rohingya and other local leaders in its design, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure (homes, schools, clinics), restoring livelihoods (farming, fishing, small businesses), and creating jobs for both returnees and current residents. Such investment will not only improve living conditions but also show skeptical communities that the return of the Rohingya is a win-win, bringing resources and opportunities that benefit all. It can reduce the perception of competition over scarce resources that often fuels inter-ethnic tensions.
An essential aspect of social integration is combating hate speech and prejudice. The demonization of the Rohingya did not occur in a vacuum – it was propagated over years by ultra-nationalist elements and sadly even some officials, poisoning the minds of parts of the population. We urge strong measures to counter hate speech in Myanmar. This could include public information campaigns on peaceful coexistence, legal action against incitement (in line with international free speech standards), and empowering moderate voices (such as Buddhist monks, civil society activists, and educators who support pluralism) to lead the narrative of unity. Education will play a pivotal role: school curricula and civic education should teach the history and cultural contributions of all of Myanmar’s peoples, fostering national identity that is inclusive rather than exclusive.
For those Rohingya who eventually choose to return, safety and equal protection must be guaranteed. This entails deploying unbiased security forces (possibly with international observers or UN assistance) to protect returnee communities, and establishing local dispute resolution committees to peacefully handle any frictions that arise. The aim must be to create a climate where a Rohingya family returning to Rakhine feels as safe as a Rakhine Buddhist family living there – where both communities trust that the law and authorities will protect them fairly. Only when such conditions prevail will return be truly voluntary, safe, and dignified, as the UN resolution rightly insists.
In sum, integration is about belonging. We envision a Myanmar where a young Rohingya girl can dream of becoming a doctor or teacher and actually have the chance to do so; where her rights are upheld by her government; where she can speak her language at home and Burmese in public without fear; and where she can walk down the street without facing hatred. We equally envision that all other minority children – Kachin, Karen, Shan, Chin, Mon, Kayah, and Bamar (Burman majority) alike – grow up in a society where diversity is normal and respected. That vision of unity in diversity underpins the Fundamental Peace we seek. It aligns with our belief that freedom, consciousness, and happiness must be shared across individuals and systems. A Myanmar at peace with itself – integrated, just, and embracing of all its people – will not only end the Rohingya crisis but will unlock the potential for human flourishing that has long been suppressed by conflict and fear.
Peace in society is mirrored by peace within individuals. The World Happiness Foundation strongly advocates for the integration of inner peace practices and mental well-being support as part of the solution to the Rohingya crisis. We must recognize that years of violence, displacement, and uncertainty have not only broken infrastructure and institutions – they have also battered hearts and minds. Healing and empowering people from within is essential for them to become agents of peace rather than victims of circumstance. This means investing in education, mental health, and community well-being with the same urgency as diplomatic and security efforts.
One key recommendation from our Foundation’s global peace work is the integration of Peace and Happiness curricula in educational systems to cultivate inner peace, compassion, and empathy. We urge stakeholders to consider incorporating such approaches both in Myanmar and among refugee communities. In practice, this could take the form of special “peace education” programs in refugee camps, trauma-informed curricula in schools, and informal workshops for adults. Children and youth, in particular, must be given tools to cope with trauma and to reject hatred. We applaud the efforts already underway in the camps – for instance, UNICEF and NGOs have set up learning centers for Rohingya children that include psychosocial activities. These efforts should be expanded and enriched with content that teaches social-emotional skills, mindfulness, and non-violent communication.
When children learn how to manage anger, empathize with others, and resolve disputes peacefully, they carry those skills into adulthood, becoming pillars of a more harmonious community. As evidence of impact, we note that in places as far apart as Bhutan and Delhi, India, introducing “happiness” and mindfulness classes in schools has yielded positive outcomes in student behavior and academic performance. Likewise, teachers can be trained as ambassadors of peace and well-being, equipped with trauma-informed teaching methods to support students who have experienced violence. WHF proposes exploring a Global Peace Education Coalition – a partnership under UNESCO bringing together governments and NGOs – to share best practices and possibly develop a global certification in peace education. Myanmar and Bangladesh (for the refugee context) could be focus countries for pilot programs, given the acute need.
For adults and communities, cultivating inner peace involves creating spaces and opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and psychological support. We recommend establishing community healing centers in areas affected by conflict – whether inside Myanmar or in refugee settlements. These centers could offer counseling, meditation or prayer sessions (drawing on Buddhist, Islamic, and other spiritual traditions of peace present in the communities), group therapy, and cultural activities that restore a sense of normalcy and hope. They can also host workshops on forgiveness and stress management, helping community members process their anger and grief in healthy ways. In Cox’s Bazar’s refugee camps, some initiatives have started community gardens and art therapy sessions to improve mental health; these are simple but powerful tools to reduce anxiety and depression. We encourage donors to fund such psychosocial support as a core component of humanitarian aid, not a secondary luxury – because mental health is as important as physical health for a community’s resilience.
Inner peace begets outer peace. When individuals learn to find calm and kindness within themselves, it radiates outward in how they treat others. One striking example comes from a student who participated in a mindfulness-based “Happiness” class: “When I feel peaceful inside, I feel like making others happy too,” the child said. This simple statement encapsulates the ripple effect we seek. By cultivating inner peace, especially among the youth, we sow the seeds for a future society that naturally leans away from conflict and towards compassion. Thus, we call on Myanmar’s leaders and educators (and those supporting the refugees in Bangladesh) to champion initiatives like peace clubs, interfaith dialogues, sports for peace, and mindfulness training. These not only help individuals cope with the present, but also build the “defenses of peace” in the minds of people, fulfilling the vision of UNESCO’s founders.
Moreover, addressing mental well-being means tackling despair and hopelessness. Many Rohingya refugees feel their lives are on hold indefinitely, leading some to risk dangerous boat journeys. Many inside Myanmar feel trapped between a repressive military and armed conflict. We must restore hope. Hope can be fostered through education and livelihoods. Therefore, it’s vital to keep children’s education going (both in camps and for internally displaced and conflict-affected children in Myanmar) and to provide youth with skills training. Idle hands and idle minds are fertile ground for frustration and radicalization. Conversely, when a young person is learning, creating, or earning, they regain a sense of agency over their future. We note with concern that funding shortages are threatening services in the camps – e.g. food rations have been cut, and education for tens of thousands of children is at risk. The international community must not let that happen; supporting the basic needs and education of refugees is not only a humanitarian duty but also a peacebuilding strategy, preventing a lost generation.
In Myanmar, we encourage integrating peace and happiness education into national curricula as part of any long-term reforms. Imagine if every school in Myanmar taught children about mutual respect, meditation, emotional intelligence, and the value of diversity – the next generation could fundamentally break from the prejudice and fear that fueled conflicts of the past. This is a long-term endeavor, but even interim measures like community dialogues and broadcasting positive messaging through media can shift attitudes. Media and religious institutions, in particular, should be engaged as partners to promote narratives of unity and healing. Radio, television, and social media campaigns that showcase stories of inter-ethnic friendship, or that explain the benefits of peace for everyone’s prosperity, can gradually replace narratives of division.
Ultimately, mental well-being and inner peace are the soil in which the seeds of external peace grow. By tending to that soil – through education, psychological support, and cultural enrichment – the Rohingya and all people of Myanmar will be better prepared to nurture reconciliation and coexistence when political conditions allow. We envision communities where mindfulness and compassion are as commonplace as schooling and prayer; where people have the emotional tools to resist hatred; and where happiness and peace are recognized not as trivial ideals, but as practical necessities for a stable nation. The World Happiness Foundation stands ready to support and partner on any initiative that brings mental health and inner development to the forefront of peace efforts.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of every enduring peace. As we focus on justice and rights, we must also speak to the human spirit’s capacity to transcend anger and revenge. The story of the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar is filled with sorrow and justified outrage – and yet, if this story is to have a new chapter of peace, it must be written with ink of forgiveness and reconciliation. World Happiness Foundation recognizes that forgiving grave injustices is one of the hardest asks to make of any people. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean that the wrongs committed are excused. Rather, forgiveness is a release of the grip of hatred – it frees the oppressed from being forever defined by the atrocities they suffered, and it removes the fuel that hatred provides to ongoing conflict. In practical terms, forgiveness opens the door for former adversaries to work together to rebuild.
For the Rohingya, the concept of forgiveness might mean, in time, being willing to live alongside those who once harmed them (if those perpetrators sincerely atone). For the Rakhine Buddhists and others in Myanmar, it might mean overcoming fear or resentment of the Rohingya, recognizing them as brothers and sisters rather than “outsiders.” For the international community, it means helping create conditions where such forgiveness is possible – through justice, security, and dialogue – and not demanding it prematurely. Forgiveness can be nurtured by small acts of reconciliation: a former military soldier publicly apologizing to a refugee family, a community ceremony to honor victims from all sides, or joint service projects where youths from different groups rebuild a market or plant trees together. These acts, while symbolic, carry profound weight in healing psychological scars.
We draw inspiration from places that have walked this path. In post-conflict Sierra Leone, for example, many communities held ceremonies where ex-combatants asked for forgiveness and were ritually welcomed back. In Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic communities, after decades of violence, established cross-community councils and storytelling initiatives; hearing each other’s painful stories helped break down demonization. Importantly, reconciliation is a two-way street: it involves both the willingness of victims to forgive and the willingness of perpetrators (or their communities) to show remorse and make amends. We have already emphasized the need for truth-telling and reparations – these are prerequisites for meaningful forgiveness. A mother who lost her child cannot forgive if the loss is denied or if those responsible are still threatening her. But if those responsible acknowledge her pain and justice is served in some form, her heart may find room to let go of vengeance.
In Myanmar’s context, reconciliation will also hinge on the reintegration of returnees and ex-combatants. We foresee, and indeed advocate, that one day Rohingya refugees will return home. When they do, and when peace agreements are made with various armed groups in Myanmar’s ethnic areas, there will be former fighters from all sides who need to be reintegrated into peaceful civilian life. Programs for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) should incorporate reconciliation components – for instance, community service by ex-fighters as a form of restitution, and dialogues where they can express regret and seek acceptance from their communities. Likewise, refugees returning should be prepared (through orientation programs in camps, for example) for the reality that rebuilding trust takes time, and they may encounter suspicion or hostility initially. Empowering them with conflict resolution skills and the emotional strength to handle adversity calmly will be important. Here again, inner peace training and trauma healing are complementary to reconciliation.
We also stress the role of religious and cultural values in forgiveness. Both Islam and Buddhism, the major faiths at play in the Rohingya crisis, have rich teachings on compassion and forgiveness. The Muslim concept of rahma (mercy) and the teaching that “whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah” can inspire Rohingya Muslims to choose forgiveness as a strength, not a weakness. In Buddhism, the principle of metta (loving-kindness) and the understanding that hatred is never appeased by hatred (as the Dhammapada teaches) can guide Buddhists in Myanmar to let go of enmity. We encourage interfaith initiatives where imams, monks, priests, and other faith leaders come together to model forgiveness and urge their communities to embrace peace. Such moral leadership can have a powerful influence, especially in Myanmar’s deeply religious society.
Finally, we want to highlight that forgiveness benefits the forgiver. Holding onto rage and the desire for revenge is a heavy burden; it prolongs the psychological trauma inflicted by the original wrongdoing. In contrast, forgiving can be a form of self-care and liberation. It allows individuals and communities to look forward rather than remain trapped in the past. In the words of Nelson Mandela, who forgave his oppressors after 27 years in prison, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” The Rohingya and other persecuted groups deserve the chance not just to survive, but to truly live and thrive – that will require unshackling themselves from understandable bitterness when the moment is right. Through forgiveness, they can assert control over their own narrative: We are more than what was done to us; we choose our future, and we choose peace.
The World Happiness Foundation stands ready to support reconciliation efforts, from high-level initiatives to grassroots peace camps. We urge that the outcome of this conference not only map out political and humanitarian solutions, but also invests in the human reconciliation process – arguably the hardest, but most heartwarming, aspect of peace. Let us seed funding and support for local peace committees, cultural exchanges, inter-community visits (imagine young Rohingya and Rakhine activists attending workshops together). Let us ensure that reconciliation and forgiveness are seen as virtues, not afterthoughts, in the quest to end this crisis. If we can achieve that, Myanmar can transform this dark chapter into a story of hope – one where former enemies hand-in-hand rebuild a nation that has room for everyone.
In conclusion, the World Happiness Foundation asserts that the only viable path forward in Myanmar is one paved with non-violence, justice, healing, and inclusion. We have outlined an approach grounded in what we term Fundamental Peace – an approach that marries the outer work of political and social change with the inner work of personal and communal healing. As this High-Level Conference gathers international leaders, UN officials, and voices of the affected communities, we urge you to be bold in your commitments. The world must not look away from the suffering of the Rohingya and other minorities, nor settle for half-measures. Now is the time for a comprehensive plan that addresses security, human rights, development, and reconciliation in tandem.
Our Foundation puts forth the following key recommendations to the Conference and the international community, derived from our principles and the analysis above:
The World Happiness Foundation believes that by implementing these measures, the international community and the people of Myanmar can jointly create the conditions for lasting peace. We do not underestimate the challenges ahead. Yet we remain hopeful, because we have seen around the world that even the most protracted conflicts can find resolution when humanity chooses courage over fear, and compassion over prejudice.
Luis Miguel Gallardo, our Founder, often reminds us that we have a responsibility not just to end wars, but to build a world where happiness and peace are fundamental human rights. In his words, “Together, let us make peace, in all its dimensions, our legacy for future generations.” We owe it to the Rohingya children in the camps, to the ethnic youth in Myanmar’s highlands, and to every mother and father yearning for a safe future, to make this vision real.
As the United Nations General Assembly meets to address this crisis, the World Happiness Foundation stands in solidarity and readiness – ready to contribute our voice, our expertise, and our unwavering commitment to Fundamental Peace. Let us move forward with love, wisdom, and resolve, so that in the near future we can celebrate a Myanmar (and a world) where every community lives free from fear, and where peace and happiness are truly shared by all.
The World Happiness Foundation (WHF) applauds the UN’s High-Level Conference on the Rohingya crisis and urges a resolution rooted in non-violence, healing, and inclusion. We stress that the Rohingya and other conflicts in Myanmar are “solvable through dialogue” – not force – and that peace is inseparable from human happiness. WHF calls on all parties to renounce violence and embrace diplomacy. An immediate end to military atrocities is essential for refugees’ voluntary, safe, and dignified return.
Crucially, we advocate a trauma-informed approach: address deep wounds through truth and reconciliation. Rather than vengeance, prioritize “justice that heals” – truth-telling, forgiveness, reparations – so communities can mend. We urge establishing a Myanmar truth commission and local dialogues to foster forgiveness and break cycles of hate.
Long-term peace demands social integration of minorities with full rights. The Rohingya must regain citizenship and equality; Myanmar must celebrate its diversity, not suppress it. Development and anti-hate education should support reintegration.
Finally, we emphasize cultivating inner peace via education and mental health support. Peace education that builds empathy and resilience will help a new generation reject hatred. In summary, WHF’s message is clear: through non-violence, compassion, and shared humanity – what we call Fundamental Peace – Myanmar can heal and secure a happy, peaceful future for all.
References:
Introduction: Health as the Core of Sustainable Happiness Good health
Introduction: A Vision of Abundance for SDG 2 World Happiness
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