Episode #273: Caught in the Crossfire
The 4th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) was held in August 2024. Hosted by Chiang Mai University's Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), this significant academic event focused on the multifaceted issues facing Myanmar, bringing together scholars, activists, and experts from diverse fields to engage in critical discussions on political, social, and economic dynamics in Myanmar. It addressed ongoing conflicts, peace processes, human rights, and the impact of the 2021 coup on the country's trajectory, aiming to foster dialogue, research, and advocacy towards sustainable solutions. It has since been estimated that over 800 people attended the three day conference, which could quite possibly make it one of the largest events on record.
Insight Myanmar Podcast was given exclusive access on site to record brief interviews with guests in attendance. These short “grabs,” lasting an average of just ten minutes each, present a very different type of format than our usual longform interviews with a single guest. The result which we now bring you is something special: the listener is treated to a wide range of diverse topics and guests, and in the course of a single episode, is treated to such diverse themes as gender equality, ethnic identity, digital security, mental health, art and architecture, food security, and much more! In total, we were able to speak to 18 different guests, and we present them in a four-part series. This is the first part.
Aung Zaw is the founder and chief editor of The Irrawaddy, a prominent, independent, media outlet that has reported on Burma for decades. He became a journalist after the 1988 uprising, and has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including security threats, intimidation and the overall risks of reporting on a tyrannical regime. He describes his commitment to journalism as both professional and political, driven by a deep belief in democracy, freedom, and press independence and emphasizes the critical role independent media plays in keeping the world informed about Myanmar’s situation. He remains steadfast in his mission, acknowledging the dangerous environment for reporters but recognizing the importance of their work in providing reliable information to the people of Myanmar and the international community. “The regime [has made] a threat against me and certain individuals in my office because we published stories and exposed [them]. They actually reached out to their connection, their network here in Thailand, and tried to harass me, to intimidate, or even some kind of assassination [attempt].”
Dr. Mar Mar Gyi is a Burmese academic, anthropologist, and documentary filmmaker. She focuses on gender issues and the overlooked roles of women in Myanmar's history. In her book “Invisible Yet Invincible: Women Who Fight Against Dictators,” she highlights the narratives of unsung Burmese females who have resisted oppression through the years. She emphasizes that feminist movements in Burma are not a recent, Western influence, but have deep roots in local traditions, and makes the case that Burmese women have historically enjoyed more rights even than their Western counterparts. She advocates for addressing structural violence and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality, emphasizing the need for deeper reflection on how colonialism, nationalism, and militarism have steadily eroded women's rights in Myanmar. "There were 19 Burmese women who fought in World War Two with General Stilwell. And yet, all of their history had been wiped out! So when you ask today, people will say that, ‘Well, Burmese women have never been involved in politics or leadership.’”
Katie Julian is an education expert who has worked extensively with Myanmar's higher education system for many years. She has been deeply involved in developing curriculum and training programs, particularly in the non-state and ethnic-run education sector. In her work, she emphasizes the need for locally relevant educational materials and skills-based learning. Post-coup, there have been many challenges, such as the lack of resources and teachers' inability to receive salaries, yet she remains hopeful because of the resilience and resourcefulness of Burmese educators. Katie highlights the importance of the informal education structures that have emerged in the wake of the coup, especially in IDP camps, as well as the partnerships between local schools and international universities to provide students with access to higher education. Despite the significant obstacles, she finds fulfillment in her work, inspired by the dedication of the people she collaborates with. “I wake up every morning and get to work with wonderful people. It's very intellectually stimulating! You get a lot of feedback that what you're doing is valuable and but, really, it's about the people. Just limitless numbers of really impressive people I meet from all kinds of different backgrounds, all the time.”
Amy, a law graduate and activist, has been involved in gender-based violence and child abuse cases for three years, working with NGOs to assist human rights defenders. She moved to Thailand to connect with human rights community across the border, and hopes to build networks across Thailand and Myanmar for those in need of legal aid. Amy has been dedicated to helping survivors of violence, despite the challenges posed by the coup, and is committed to supporting human rights by raising awareness across Burmese society. “Please look at what is really happening in the Myanmar, and please make contact with human rights supporters. And please just keep watching the situations in Myanmar.”
Sitthu is a law student who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement after the coup, and has since pursued studies in human rights and comparative politics. His passion for research on human rights issues led him to form a group of like-minded individuals conducting studies and publishing papers. Sitthu believes in the importance of presenting data from Myanmar to regional and global audiences, to provide insights into ongoing human rights violations. He sees law as a tool not only to protect human rights but also to bridge ethnic divides in Myanmar by pushing for inclusive, just legal frameworks. “Because of everything the military has been doing for over 60 years, and because they used the law as a tool to oppress civilians and to take advantage for their interests, it is important for us to understand the law and find a solution with the ethnic groups.”