Information Sheet N0.A-0719(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
                    Information  Sheet				    

                                N0.A-0719(I)             6th  December 1998 
	
(1)		Secretary-1 Attends Ceremony of Singing Christmas Songs

		A ceremony of singing Christmas songs for the trust funds of Myanmar
Institute of Christian Theology (MICT) was held at the National Theatre on
Myoma Kyaung Road, Dagon Township on 5 December evening, attended by
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Secretary-1 opened the ceremony pressing the button. Then, Minister for
Religious Affairs made a speech on the occasion. Reverent U Maung Maung Yin of
MICT explained the essence and the spirit of Christmas. Afterwards, Christian
youth presented an onstage programme of singing Christmas songs. Later
Principal of MICT thanked the officials. Then, Christian musicians social
group carried on with the programme of singing playing Christmas songs. 

(2)		Secretary-1 Receives U Saw Tun Oo of Burma Communist Party (Rakhine
State)

		Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National
Races Secretary-1  of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt received  U Saw Tun Oo of Burma Communist Party ( Rakhine State ) and
party who exchanged arms for peace at Defence Service Guest House on Inya Road
at 4 pm on 5 December. They discussed regional development work, wood-based
industry and commercial activities. 

(3)		Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Observes World AIDS Day
		The World AIDS Day was observed  under the sponsorship of the Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association at the multipurpose building of the
association in South Okkalapa Township  on 5 December afternoon with an
address by member of the National Health Committee Minister for  Health. The
World AIDS Day has been commemorated every year in order to intensify
prevention and control activities against the HIV/AIDS pandemic which is
threatening the world. In the health sector the National Health Plan has been
formulated in accordance with the national health policy to achieve the HFA
2000 goals. HIV/AIDS prevention and control project has been included in the
National Health Plan since 1993. At present the NHP 1996-2001 is being
implemented as planned. The Ministry of Health has also formed the National
AIDS Committee at the central level with the participation of various
government departments and NGOs, such as the Myanmar Maternal and Child
Welfare Association for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The MMCWA has been at the
forefront taking a leading role in promoting  for the health of women and
children. The MMCWA has jointly conducted  with UNICEF "Training on Facts for
Life" for the housewives all over the country. HIV/AIDS prevention for women
and healthy living are some of the main topics included in the training.
During the first phase, the training was conducted in 27 townships and
currently it is being conducted in a further 69 townships.  Altogether 208,000
house wives have been provided with health education on HIV/AIDS prevention.
In Myanmar, in some areas it has been found that some pregnant women  have
been infected with HIV. The majority of these young women have been infected
by their husbands. In addition some of the young Myanmar girls in the border
areas have been lured with work and monetary incentives to the neighbouring
countries, and eventually end up being forced into the sex trade resulting in
them becoming infected with HIV. Now, the Government of the Union of Myanmar
has given priority for the socio- economic development of the border areas and
difficult-to-reach areas. With the guidance of the National Health  Committee,
health education activities have been promoted to reach these areas. Besides
the government health sector, national and international  NGOs are also taking
an active role in health promotion activities in the border areas. 

(4)		Seminar on  EMU Creating an Entirely New Global Economic System Held at
CBM
		The seminar on European Monetary Union ( EMU) creating an entirely new
global  economic system was held at the Central Bank of Myanmar on 4 December.
It was jointly sponsored  by the Central Bank of Myanmar and the Dresdner Bank
of Germany. In his opening  address, Minister for Finance and Revenue  said
the European Central Bank of the  13-member  European Monetary Union (EMU) is
going to launch Euro bank notes very soon,  and the Ministry of Finance and
Revenue, which is directly associated with monetary affairs, need to know the
functions and new systems of the European monetary organizations.  General
Manager Mr Burkhard Vosshenrich of Dresdner Bank held discussions on matters
relating to EMU.

(5)		Myanmar Olympic Council Vice-Chairman Leaves for Bangkok
		Myanmar delegation led by Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Council left
Yangon by air on 5 December morning to attend the Asia Olympic Council Meeting
to be held in Bangkok,  Thailand, and will supervise Myanmar sports contingent
during the period of the XIII Asian Games.

(6)		USDA Secretary-General Receives Vietnamese Delegation
		Secretary-General of Union Solidarity and Development Association received
a three-member delegation led by Representative of Vietnam Parliament and
member of External Affairs of the National Convention Mr Vu Xuan Hong who
called at USDA Headquarters on 5 December.

(7)		Multi Media Classroom Training Course for Teachers Concludes
		The closing ceremony of Multi Media Classroom Training Course for Teachers,
organized by the Supervisory Committee for the Human Resources Development
Department (Yangon Institute of Education ) was held at the institute on 5
December.

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