About
The Institute of Peace & Federal Democracy (IPFD) is a Myanmar-led, U.S.-registered nonprofit organisation working to support Myanmar’s transition towards a peaceful, inclusive and federal democratic future.
We believe that lasting peace requires more than political agreements. It requires trusted institutions, practical cooperation and constructive international engagement.
Since 2021, governance across Myanmar has become increasingly decentralised. Local administrations, ethnic governance bodies and civil society organisations have assumed growing responsibility for serving their communities, often under extremely difficult conditions.
IPFD was established to help strengthen the institutional foundations needed for those efforts to succeed.
What we do
Build international support for Myanmar
IPFD works to counter misinformation, strengthen Myanmar’s democratic voice, and help international partners understand Myanmar’s realities through evidence, policy research and trusted engagement. We support governments, donors, policy institutions and international organisations to identify responsible ways to support a peaceful federal democratic transition.
Build cooperation inside Myanmar
IPFD works to strengthen relationships, improve coordination and build the institutional foundations needed for a future federal democratic system. This includes supporting governance and institutional development, dialogue readiness, coordination mechanisms and shared principles for cooperation.
Strengthen diaspora engagement
IPFD works to connect the expertise, networks and resources of Myanmar’s global diaspora with Myanmar-led priorities. This includes supporting diaspora partnerships, policy engagement, advocacy, fundraising, knowledge-sharing and long-term international relationships.
Our Role
IPFD helps strengthen the institutions, relationships and coordination needed for Myanmar’s democratic actors to work together and engage international partners effectively. We support practical cooperation, governance development and trusted international engagement in ways that reinforce Myanmar-led priorities.
Mission
To strengthen the institutional foundations of a peaceful and inclusive federal democratic Myanmar by building international support, strengthening cooperation inside Myanmar, and mobilising the expertise and resources of Myanmar’s global diaspora.
Vision
A peaceful federal democratic Myanmar characterised by accountable civilian institutions, effective cooperation, inclusive governance and constructive international partnerships.
Core Principles
Cooperation before negotiation
We believe durable peace is built through practical cooperation, trust and shared responsibility. Lasting political agreements are more likely to succeed when relationships, institutions and habits of cooperation have already been established.
Responsibility before self-interest
Each actor carries responsibility not only to their own people, organisation or constituency, but to the wider society. Cooperation requires a willingness to place shared outcomes above immediate personal, institutional or group interests, and to act with restraint where actions may harm others or weaken collective efforts.
Respect for the dignity of all communities
Every people group has an equal right to participate in shaping Myanmar’s future. We believe cooperation must be grounded in mutual respect, recognition of diversity, and a commitment to protect the dignity of all people.
Commitment to work through differences
We recognise that disagreement is inevitable. Rather than withdrawing or allowing differences to deepen division, we believe people should remain engaged, manage disagreement with discipline, and seek resolution through dialogue and agreed mechanisms. Lasting cooperation is built not by avoiding differences, but by learning to work through them together.
Restraint to prevent further harm
Myanmar’s history has shown how quickly conflict can escalate when restraint is lost. Actions taken in moments of tension can have lasting consequences for communities. We believe cooperation requires discipline and self-control: choosing not to act out of anger or disagreement, even when provoked, and always giving priority to stability, the protection of civilians, and the long-term wellbeing of others.
Humility and Myanmar-led ownership
No single organisation can solve Myanmar’s challenges alone. We believe lasting progress depends upon working collaboratively, listening carefully, remaining open to learning, and recognising that Myanmar’s future must ultimately be shaped by Myanmar’s people and institutions.