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A politically informed and engaged civil society is a crucial component to any lasting democracy. Unfortunately, under the military regime that has ruled Burma for the past four decades, there exist few opportunities for Burmese citizens to receive formal education or training on modern democratic politics and principles. This is particularly true in the ethnic states where opportunities for education and access to independent information are especially limited.

Since 1995, the Thailand-based Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) has worked to promote greater understanding among the people of Mon State on issues such as human rights, democracy, the environment, health, community development, and the rights of women and children. Ethnic minorities in Burma, who together comprise roughly 40 percent of the population, have long been marginalized by the military government and suffer disproportionately from a wide range of human rights violations. HURFOM promotes human rights and democracy in Burma by investigating and reporting on human rights issues, building the capacity of civil society organizations, and providing the people of Mon State with accurate news and information.

HURFOM produces a variety of publications in English, Burmese, and Mon that provide an alternative source of information and news to those media outlets controlled by the regime. HURFOM produces and distributes 1,000 copies of a Mon-language journal, Khit Poey (Our Time) , quarterly to the Mon community in eastern and central Burma, Mon refugees in Thailand, and the Mon migrant worker community in Thailand and Malaysia. The journal contains analysis on international developments related to Burma as well as articles on democracy, federalism, and constitutionalism. The monthly Mon- and Burmese-language newspaper Sanong Tiang (Guiding Star) is circulated in Mon State, Karen State, and Tenasserim Division and covers news about the Mon community, events in Burma, and foreign news. HURFOM's women's and children's rights program publishes a quarterly newsletter, "Plight," that is distributed to Mon communities in Burma, prodemocracy groups in exile, and the international community at large. The Mon Forum, a monthly English-language human rights report, is circulated to subscribers in Thailand and the international community.

A priority of NED's is to support efforts to reach out to marginalized citizens, including those in the ethnic-nationality areas, to strengthen their capacity to work on behalf of peaceful, democratic change. In this regard, HURFOM has recently expanded its efforts to promote civil society inside Burma. HURFOM's Civil Society Development Center holds capacity building trainings and workshops for community-based organizations and leaders of civil society organizations in Mon State. HURFOM trains Mon community leaders and activists—teachers, fieldworkers, and monks—on how to document and address human rights abuses in their villages and towns. To strengthen local media organizations, HURFOM organizes workshops for Mon activists on the role of the media and for Mon journalists and editors on reporting methods and ethics, as well as editing and article selection.

HURFOM has gained respect and recognition not only from the Burmese citizens, but also international organizations and the Burmese exile community. With NED support, the organization will continue to promote democracy, report on human rights, and build civil society in the ethnic states of Burma.