Healing Journeys: How Myanmar Youth Are Building Resilient Futures in Thailand

Finn Church Aid Thailand and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers collaborated with a network of local partners to organize the Youth Social Cohesion & Collective Action Fellowship for Myanmar youth in Mae Sot, Chaing Mai and Bangkok, Thailand (September 2025).

“As a Myanmar youth, I carry trauma from my migration journey. I felt lost for three years. But in this safe space, I can share my feelings. Connecting with other Myanmar youths brings me back to life.” – Youth participant, Bangkok 

Across Southeast Asia, migration shapes the hopes and struggles of millions. For young people from Myanmar, it is not just a border crossing, but a passage between fear and possibility. Since the 2021 coup, conflict, repression, and economic collapse have uprooted entire communities. Many young people have been forced to flee, leaving behind education, family, and familiar places. 

Thailand, sharing a long border with Myanmar, has become a vital destination for safety, education and job opportunities. But once across the border, youth often face new obstacles—uncertain legal status, language barriers, exploitation, and trauma. Many feel invisible and alone. 

To respond to these realities, Finn Church Aid (FCA) Thailand, the Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP), and local partners created the Youth Social Cohesion & Collective Action Fellowship. Between August and September 2025, the fellowship gathered 86 Myanmar youth aged 14–35 in Mae Sot, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok to learn and build their leadershiptogether.

Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces

The fellowship is part of FCA’s Youth on the Move: A Regional Approach to Resilience project, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. It brings together Myanmar youth from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds to build resilience, learn practical skills, and form supportive networks. 

Workshops were co-organized with local partners such as the Spirit in Education Movement (SEM), The Space, Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF), Myanmar Response Network, Burma Concern, and Thai Volunteer Service (TVS). Each partner contributed different strengths—from legal support and workers’ rights, to mindfulness, peace education, and community volunteer.

Speakers from the Spirit in Education Movement (SEM) and Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF) introduced how to review legal documents to youth participants, as part of a legal literacy session (Chiang Mai, Thailand, September 2025).

Healing Through Mindfulness and Deep Listening

“Learning mindfulness and deep listening not only helps me heal but gives me tools to help others.” – Youth participant, Mae Sot 

A core part of the fellowship was creating space to talk about experience. Through mindfulness and deep listening exercises, youth shared personal stories of fear, loss, and hope. Listening without judgment helped them feel seen and respected. Many described a shift—from feeling isolated and ashamed to feeling understood and connected. This emotional safety laid the groundwork for cooperation, shared action, and renewed confidence.

Knowing Your Rights, Staying Safer

“Learning about safe migration, basic laws, and different types of documentation helps us stay safely in Thailand.” – Youth participant, Chiang Mai 

Many Myanmar youth arrive with little information about Thai laws or their own rights. The fellowship therefore included practical sessions on documentation, safe migration, and where to seek help. Youth learned how their legal status affects their work, mobility, and access to services. This knowledge helps them avoid risky situations, respond to abuse, and make more informed decisions about their futures.

Myanmar Youth came together to strengthen their resilience, gain essential knowledge, and foster networks of solidarity (Mae Sot, August 2025).

Understanding Conflict and Building Peace

“As a youth, I learned that we have a role in building peace. I will start with my inner peace and hope that I can be part of building a peaceful society.” –Youth participant, Bangkok 

Youth explored different scales of conflict—from intrapersonal struggles to systemic discrimination—while practicing skills such as respectful communication, active listening, and mediation. By linking theory to deep listening practice, youth experienced how self-regulation and empathy change the temperature of a conversation. The core insight: peacebuilding starts within—and scales outward through habits of dialogue, fairness, and mutual respect.

The fellowship built a leadership role of youth to express their voices towards challenges, aspirations and prospects (Mae Sot, August 2025).

From Hate Speech to Peace Speech

“Before, I sometimes used hate speech without thinking. Now I’ve learned how peaceful words can change someone’s feelings.” – Youth participant, Mae Sot 

With social media playing a big role in their lives, participants explored how hate speech harms individuals and communities. They discussed the language they see online and in daily life andpracticed turning negative words into “peace speech” that respects dignity and reduces tension. Through practice, participants acknowledged their own biases, reflected root causes of hate speech rooted in history and education, and recognized their role in preventing escalation of hatred and protecting social cohesion.

Youth Leadership for Peace and Change

“Before I joined the workshop, I doubted myself what I could do. Here, I was inspired by new friends and their stories. They encouraged me to keep going and to help others in society.” – Youth participant, Chiang Mai 

The fellowship treated every young person as a potential leader. Through discussions and group work, youth explored what it means to lead with empathy, fairness, and courage. They identifiedways to contribute—organizing small community activities, supporting friends, volunteering, or sharing accurate information online. The fellowship not only equipped them with practical skills but also instilled a sense of agency, empowering them to take initiative and drive meaningful change in their own communities.

Moving Forward Together

Migration for Myanmar youth often begins with crisis—but their journeys do not end there. The Youth Social Cohesion & Collective Action Fellowship shows what is possible when safe space, protection, and leadership support come together. By listening to one another, learning their rights, and practicing peace in everyday actions, these young people are not only rebuilding their own lives—they are helping to build more compassionate and resilient communities in Thailand and beyond.

“I found peace here… I feel that I’m not alone as I have friends and others to support my journey.” – Youth participant, Mae Sot.