U.S. Elected Officials, Academics, and Community Reassure Their Support for the People of Myanmar and Democracy
5th Annual Spring Flowers International Conference Concluded with an Observation of the 79th Myanmar Union Day
INDIANAPOLIS, February 17, 2026 — The 5th Spring Flowers International Conference on Myanmar, hosted by the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) and Center for Research, Policy and Innovation (CRPI), in partnership with co-host the Center for Constitutional Democracy (CCD) at Indiana University Bloomington, concluded last Saturday with an observation of the 79th Myanmar Union Day.
The conference reaffirmed support for building a federal democratic Union of Myanmar based on the Panglong principles of freedom, equality, and self- determination.
In an effort to support peace and democracy in Myanmar (also known as Burma), the conference brought together local, national, and international actors from diverse backgrounds around the globe.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Congressman Jefferson Shreve, and Senator Todd Young all offered their continued commitment to support the Burmese community in Indianapolis and peace and democracy in the Southeast Asia nation.
Mayor Hogsett reiterated that Burmese contributions to the city makes a better and stronger for everyone, “we are a stronger and more vibrant Indianapolis, …this City is a better City, a more grateful City because of you”.
The conference included academic panels with presentations by over 40 scholars and researchers, keynotes and speeches.
With the theme of “Strengthening Unified Efforts with Coordinated Strategies to Support Peace and Democracy in Myanmar,” and building on discussions and deliberations during last year’s and this year’s conferences, the organizers said they will continue to make a joint effort to contribute to: (1) bottom-up federalism building through the constitutional process, (2) a meaningful role for the international community in supporting peace, (3) support for effective public policy and functional local governance and democratic institutions, and (4) the implementation of other recommendations.
Congressman Shreve assured he has been and will represent the voice of Burmese in the U.S. Congress. “You have strengthened our City, Indianapolis. I promised you authentically, I have listened and I will listen, I will show up as I have time and gain, and I will carry your concerns,” he said.
Moving forward, the organizers said they intend to continue to engage with diverse stakeholders, focusing on:
- Further formulating strategies for advocacy to the U.S. and international community,
- Supporting the people of Myanmar with humanitarian and development assistance, including education opportunities for thousands of youth, and
- Strengthening and fostering unity to enable the people of Myanmar to achieve a real political solution.
Senator Todd Young in his Union Day address said “Burmese Community in Indiana is a prominent part of our State, composed of passionate and loving people” reaffirming his support for the community and democracy in Burma.
Elected officials and advocates from Indiana have become leading voices in Washington D.C. for Burmese-American community and on the issues related to Myanmar.
Professor David Williams, a constitutional expert, at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, who has advised the Burmese constitutional process for nearly three decades in his Union Day keynote said that he regards the Burmese democratic movement as his own, “no one of us will be freed until all of us are freed,” and the dreams of the Burmese people have inspired him, he continued. But at the same time, he warned that this moment comes with great risk, that we will lose a sense of what we deserve and settle for less, “after all, how long can we keep hope?…so it takes brave dreams”.
A Myanmar Union Day statement issued by the Convening Committee of the 79th Myanmar Union Day in Indianapolis calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those imprisoned as a result of the military coup on February 1, 2021, including Nobel Peace Laureate and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, members of Parliament, and civil society leaders, and for inclusive and serious talks to restore the country a path to democracy.
Recently, the U.S. Congress approved $121,000,000 for assistance for Myanmar for the purposes described in the Burma Act of 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.
In his welcoming remarks, Elaisa Vahnie thanked the international community, especially the U.S. and Hoosiers, for standing alongside the Myanmar people. Mr. Vahnie said that through such compassionate and principled leadership, we can all work together to further build an economically and culturally vibrant and strong community here.
“As we look to the future – let us hold our hands firmly together and march forward towards realizing a shared vision of education for all, a stronger community, and a free, peaceful, and prosperous new Myanmar – in a strong Union.”
Marking the 10th year of the Myanmar Union Day observation in Indianapolis, this historic occasion featured cultural and traditional dances from various ethnic groups of Myanmar, ethnic fashion show, music, food, and speeches.
###
Dignitaries, speakers and performers pose a group photo at the 79th Myanmar Union Day observation in Indianapolis, USA
