Zoya Phan, a Karen exile and daughter of the late KNU leader Pado Mahn Sha has been chosen as a ‘Young Global leader’ (YGL) by the World Economic Forum; the same organisation that hosts the annual meeting of world and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

Zoya Phan, who is also the international coordinator for the Burma Campaign UK (BCUK),  was amongst as many as 200 young people who are chosen each year by the World Economic Forum for “their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.”

Speaking to DVB, Zoya Phan said: “We are bringing more international attention to Burma’s situation via campaigns through the BCUK as well as Karen organisations.”

“I was chosen to be honoured [as a YGL] for my work in highlighting human rights violations and the [Burmese junta] army’s offences in Karen state and campaigning to seek international action [on the Burmese junta] with the use of media.”

The YGLs convene at an annual summit – this year it will be in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from the 2 to 7 May; the first time the gathering is to be held in Africa. It will also be the largest ever gathering of YGLs.