The Phan Foundation is pleased to announce that Saw Albert Cho is the recipient of the 2023 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. Saw Albert Cho is a remarkable young Karen leader who has played an important role for Karen youth society through his various political activities.
Born in Ayeyarwaddy Delta under the authoritarian rule of the Burmese governments, Saw Albert Cho experienced discrimination, inequality and mistreatment of his people by the Burmese authorities. Later on, he started reading about Karen history and became involved in social and political activities as a student activist focusing on the rights of Karen people. While in university, he took part in the Karen Youth Network as a spokesperson. In 2019, Saw Albert Cho, alongside his two other colleagues, was arrested and detained in Insein Prison for 17 days, under the National League for Democracy- led government, for organising a peaceful Karen Martyrs Day event in Yangon, and for speaking to the audience at the event.
Saw Albert Cho then joined a political party, the United Nationalities Democratic Party (UNDP) and contested in the 2020 General Election. When the Burmese military seized power in 2021, he joined the General Strike Committee of Nationalities (GSCN), an anti-coup alliance of ethnic nationalities across Burma. Saw Albert Cho is also involved with the Karen Youth Organization as a member of the Karen Youth Research Team.
“This Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award is a great encouragement for me. This award is not just for me, but a recognition of my work for freedom and national equality. This award also inspires me to be brave and courageous to stand up and fight for the Karen nation,” said Saw Albert Cho, winner of 2023 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader award.
In his supporting letter for Saw Albert Cho, Saw Learner, Chairperson of Karen Youth Organisation, wrote- “Saw Albert Cho never hesitated to help serve his people. He is a selfless person. As an educated young man, he works professionally and does his best in our struggle. I believe he is a role model for young Karen and for the generations to come. Our struggle needs many young people who can lead our movement to free our people from oppression. I believe Saw Albert Cho can mobilise many young educated Karen to join our struggle.”
Padoh Saw Hla Htun, Joint Secretary (2) of the Karen National Union wrote- “I believe Saw Albert Cho is a strong youth leader for Karen future and for Karen freedom. He puts his people first, very courageous and committed for the Karen struggle. He deserves to be recognised for Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award.”
Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Director at Phan Foundation said: “we are thrilled to be able to recognise and support Saw Albert Cho’s work through the Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. Like Saw Albert Cho, there are many remarkable young Karen leaders who have made amazing contributions to our society. We value their fantastic work the same way our father Padoh Mahn Sha valued young people.”
The Phan Foundation was established in 2008 in memory of Padoh Mahn Sha and Nant Kyin Shwe. The foundation supports Karen people, focusing in four areas, such as education, poverty alleviation, promotion of human rights and protection of Karen culture. The foundation also created this Padoh Mahn Sha Young leader award to recognise the work of young Karen leaders, with the financial support of $4,000 for their valuable work.
The award will be given to Saw Albert Cho in person at the commemoration of 74th Karen Martyrs Day in Kawthoolei on 12th August 2024.