Advancing Peace Through Federal Democratic Governance
The Institute of Peace & Federal Democracy (IPFD) is a Myanmar-led policy and governance institute working to build international support, strengthen cooperation inside Myanmar, and help lay the practical foundations for a peaceful federal democratic future.
Explore Our Work
Latest Analysis
Recent policy notes and briefings from IPFD
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Photo: Saw Wunna (Unsplash)
Building Federal Decision-Making Under Conflict Conditions
For much of Myanmar’s post-2021 crisis, discussions around coordination have focused on a familiar problem: fragmentation. Democratic actors, ethnic organisations, humanitarian networks, governance bodies, and civil society structures have all operated under extraordinary pressure, often across isolated territories, competing priorities, and limited resources. This fragmentation is real. It affects…
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Responsibilities Before Rights: Principles for Federal Cooperation
Federal transitions are often discussed in terms of political settlements, constitutional arrangements, territorial autonomy, and representation. These questions matter deeply.…
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International Engagement in a Fragmented Myanmar
International actors face a structural dilemma in Myanmar: engagement with military authorities carries profound costs, while engagement with fragmented opposition…
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Diaspora as the Institutional Bridge: Supporting Federal Democratic Transition
Myanmar’s global diaspora has mobilised advocacy, funding, and professional expertise in response to deepening crisis. The next step is to…
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From Coordination to Capability: Building Federal Governance Under Conflict Conditions
Since 2021, governance across many parts of Myanmar has evolved under conflict, with local administrations and civic networks delivering services…
Why we exist:
Myanmar’s political landscape has been fundamentally reshaped since 2021. Across the country, local administrations, ethnic governance bodies, civil society organisations and communities continue to operate under sustained conflict conditions.
The Institute of Peace & Federal Democracy (IPFD) exists to help strengthen the practical foundations needed for a peaceful federal democratic future.
We do this by building international support for Myanmar, strengthening cooperation inside Myanmar, and connecting the expertise, networks and resources of Myanmar’s global diaspora.
IPFD is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation operating as a Myanmar-led policy, governance and coordination institute.
What we do
Build international support for Myanmar
Counter the military narrative with truth, evidence and Myanmar’s democratic voices. Engage governments, donors and international partners to turn concern into practical action.
Build cooperation inside Myanmar
Strengthen partnerships across Myanmar’s democratic movement. Develop cooperation mechanisms that support communities under pressure and build foundations for future federal democracy.
Strengthen diaspora engagement
Mobilize the expertise, networks and resources of Myanmar’s global diaspora to strengthen advocacy, partnerships, fundraising and long-term support for Myanmar’s democratic future.
Current Initiatives
Myanmar Coordination Mechanism (MCM)
Building Federal Decision-Making in Practice
A Myanmar-led coordination and governance process through which participating stakeholders jointly assess needs, identify priorities, develop proposals, and strengthen practical cooperation.
The MCM focuses on shared responsibility, collective prioritisation, and governance through coordination rather than fragmented competition.
International Engagement
Working with governments, parliamentarians, policy institutes and international partners to strengthen informed engagement, policy development and practical support for Myanmar.
Myanmar Cooperation Treaty (MCT)
Shared Principles for Federal Cooperation
A voluntary Myanmar-led framework establishing shared principles of responsibility, accountability, civilian protection, and disciplined cooperation under conflict conditions.
The MCT helps reduce fragmentation while preserving political pluralism, autonomy, and responsible coordination between diverse actors.
Diaspora Engagement
Building partnerships that connect the expertise, networks and resources of Myanmar’s global diaspora with Myanmar-led priorities and long-term democratic development.
Why This Matters:
Peace and federal democracy are not built through political agreements alone. They are built through trust, practical cooperation, accountable institutions and the ability to solve shared problems together.
Without stronger cooperation inside Myanmar and sustained international support, fragmentation continues, opportunities are lost and communities remain under pressure.
IPFD works to strengthen the practical foundations that can help Myanmar move towards a peaceful, federal democratic future.