Myanmar is like a large garden in which various species of flowering plants are in full bloom. Myanmar is rich in cultural heritage, archaeological edifices and natural resources along with scenic natural beauties. National races of the Union are polite, gentle and friendly. From time immemorial, national brethren have been living through thick and thin in the Union.
Now, the government is shaping the nation into a peaceful, modern and developed democratic one with flourishing discipline. In this regard, it is implementing the democratic processes with momentum in accordance with the State’s seven-step Road Map. Ensuring perpetuation of the new democratic nation calls for stability of the State, community peace and national unity, prevalence of law and order, along with high thinking power and a wide knowledge of the people.

To fulfil these requirements, the government is now building foundations for promotion of the nation’s education standard. It is also making educational reforms to be able to keep abreast of international level. It trains and nurtures the youth of the nation in various sectors to enhance their educational qualifications and cognitive improvement.

Qualifications, morale, habits and character of the youth decide the future of the nation and the people, good or bad. The youth are the future of the nation and a fundamental force for development of human resources. So, the government has founded the Union Solidarity and Development Association as a strong national force in the national interests, mobilizing the strength of younger generation. The association came into being on 15 September 1993 with those who love the motherland and own lineage, who want to build national unity, who favour prevalence of law and order and community peace, and those who preserve and safeguard cultural heritage.

So far, 17 state and division level associations, 66 district level associations, 320 township level associations, and 15,334 ward and village level associations have been formed. The total membership of the USDA is 24.5 million.
During the 14-year existence of the Association, members are serving the interests of the nation and the people by doing their bit through common views, concepts and procedures. In particular, they are participating in the processes of transition to democracy and are constantly vigilant against possible dangers to the nation’s peace and stability.
The associations and members at all levels are engaged in community welfare services and nation building tasks in various sectors, thus winning friendship, trust and recognition of local people of the regions concerned. Now, they have achieved greater success due to the participation of local people.
The nation is enjoying all-round development thanks to farsighted leadership, correct policies, practical methods and good volition in implementing the tasks.

Members are playing an active role in the education, health, social affairs, regional development, rural power supply and promotion of rural education.
Now, the government is implementing constantly the national education promotion plans. Owing to extensive opening of basic education schools and post primary schools, the number of basic education schools has increased to more than 40,000, and there more than seven million students are pursuing education. Over 700,000 students are pursuing higher education at 156 colleges and universities.

Knowledge has influence over any other sector and can help create a prosperous future of a nation. The people are broadening their horizons, and working hard for development of human society through the knowledge they have gained.
In pursuit of the goal ‘Education for All’, the government is encouraging formal education, non-formal education and informal education, in order that the people, irrespective of age and educational qualification, can make a life-long study.
The government is extensively building education infrastructures and producing a growing number of teachers so that every citizen has an equal access to education. In the process, wellwishers and volunteers including USDA members contribute services, and cash and kind.
In the education sector, members are taking part in the measures for enrolment of all school-age children, opening evening schools and providing cash and kind to the classes and reading sessions, and awarding outstanding students.
Similarly, the associations are providing desks, school textbooks, stationery, school uniforms, stipends and sports equipment for basic education schools in the regions concerned.
Members of the USDA, Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association are extending a helping hand to ensure enrolment of all school-age children. They provide school uniforms and school textbooks to the students and school expenses to some needy students. As a result, the enrolment rate at the primary level rose to more than 97 per cent in 2007.
After 1988, follow-up literacy campaigns and three “Rs” courses for adults were conducted to achieve cent per cent literacy rate. In 2007, the literacy rate went up to 94.75 per cent.
The government is opening more and more community learning centres and self-reliant village libraries to enable those who have become literate to carry out post-literacy activities and to continue learning. So far, 55,717 self-reliant village libraries have been opened. So, rural people have enjoyed easy access to a wide range of publications.
The USDA is a national force formed to serve the interests of the nation and the people. Young members are actively taking part in nation-building tasks and national politics.
Members also contribute towards the opening of rural libraries, rural health care centres and creek spanning bridges, providing foodstuff, medicines and water-purifying machines to prisons, and donating blood to hospitals. In cooperation with wellwishers and congenial organizations, they contribute their services to evacuating victims of floods and strong winds and provide cash and household utensils to the victims.
Upholding these fine traditions coupled with good morale, good habits and the strength of members of younger generations, the Association will be able to make contribution towards the implementation of the national goal of building a peaceful, modern and developed nation with discipline -flourishing democracy. With firm consolidation and strength of the members, the Association will help create a prosperous future of the nation.