2015 Myanmar/Burma Update
Overview
Making sense of conflict
As rapid political, economic and social changes continue in Myanmar ahead of the general elections anticipated for later this year, the theme for the 2015 Myanmar/ Burma Update is 'Making Sense of Conflict'.
Since the last Myanmar/Burma Update conference in 2013, Myanmar has suc- ceeded in making progress on many key economic and social reforms, and in certain areas of institution building. At the same time, political, social and armed conflict per- sists, and in some parts of the country has increased considerably. The continuation of longstanding conflicts in Myanmar raises questions about their persistence and the prospects of efforts to resolve them. Other non-traditional conflicts also are emerging, and are cause for significant concern.
The 2015 conference aims to address the breadth and depth of conflicts in Myanmar from a range of angles, offering perspec- tives of people working on the groundand those studying the country abroad. It presents an opportunity for scholars and practitioners to draw on their research and work in studying and addressing conflict in Myanmar to probe its many layers, and consider the means by which conflict might be resolved.
Please register your attendance via Eventbrite.
Download
Enquiries
E bellschool@anu.edu.au
T 02 6125 2167
Join the 2015 MBU conversation
For updates on speakers and special events, subscribe to the Myanmar/Burma Update mailing list.
Twitter: @ANUBellSchool
Facebook: @ANUBellSchool
Instagram: share your Myanmar/Burma photos with us by tagging @ANU_BELLSCHOOL and using the hashtag #MyanmarUpdate
Participating ANU departments
Department of Political and Social Change, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
Conference theme
The theme for the 2015 Myanmar/Burma Update is ‘Making Sense of Conflict’.
Conference speakers will engage with the following themes:
- Borderland conflicts and peace negotiations
- Communal violence
- Electoral politics and the legislature
- Contentious politics
Conference speakers have been invited to explore the nuances and intersections between different types of conflict and efforts to resolve them.
Program
For updates on speakers and special events, subscribe to the Myanmar/Burma Update mailing list.
Download full event program 2015 Myanmar/Burma Update Program [PDF, 4.9MB]
Day One - Friday 5 June
9.00–9.05am | Welcome to Country Aunty Susan Barry, Ngunnawal Elder |
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9.05–9.20am | Conference opening Professor Gareth Evans AC, QC, Chancellor, The Australian National University (ANU) |
9.20–10.00am |
Keynote address Chair: Professor Michael Wesley, Director, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU |
10.00–10.30am |
ANU Myanmar Research Centre launch Chair: Dr Nicholas Farrelly, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU |
10.30–11.00am | Morning tea break (refreshments provided by the ANU Myanmar Students' Association, ANUMSA) |
11.00–12.00pm |
Political update Discussant: Dr Morten Pedersen, University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
12.00–1.00pm |
Economic update Chair: Dr Nicholas Farrelly, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs |
1.00–2.30pm |
Lunch break (meals provided by the Australia Mon Association) Chair: Professor Edward Aspinall, Department of Political and Social Change, ANU |
2.30–4.30pm |
Borderland conflicts and peace negotiations (1) Chair: Associate Professor Allen Hicken, University of Michigan |
4.30–5.00pm | Afternoon tea break (refreshments provided by ANUMSA) |
5.00–6.00pm |
Burmese-language roundtable (sponosored by ANUMSA) Chair: U Chit Win, Department of Political and Social Change, ANU Side event: Friendly Myanmar language session by the ANU Myanmar Students' Association (Coombs Ext. 1.04) |
7.30–9.00pm | Conference dinner (Great Hall, University House) Music by Yuri Takahashi, Comments by Professor Veronica Taylor, Dean, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific |
Day Two - Saturday 6 June
9.30–11.00am |
Borderland conflicts and peace negotiations (2) Chair: Daw Khin Thidar Aye, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacfic Affairs, ANU |
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11.00–11.30am | Morning tea break (refreshments provided by ANUMSA) |
11.30–1.00pm |
Communal violence and the “western gateway” with Bangladesh Chair: Dr Cecilia Jacob, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU, |
1.00–2.30pm |
Lunch break (meals provided by the Australia Mon Association) Chair: Dr Nick Cheesman, Department of Political and Social Change, ANU |
2.30–4.00pm |
Electoral politics and the legislature Chair: Mr Trevor Wilson, Department of Political and Social Change, ANU |
4.00–4.30pm | Afternoon tea break (refreshments provided by ANUMSA) |
4.30–6.00pm |
The many dimensions of conflict Chair: Associate Professor Greg Fealy, Head, Department of Political and Social Change, ANU |
6.00pm | Conference closes |
Update publications
Farrelly, N, Cheesman, N, Aspinall, E et al, eds, 2014, Myanmar's Democratization: Comparative and Southeast Asian Perspectives, South East Asia Research, vol. 22, no. 2.
Debating Democratization in Myanmar. Ed. by Nick Cheesman, Nicholas Farrelly and Trevor Wilson, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. 2014 (Based on the 2013 Update)
Myanmar's Transition: Openings, Obstacles and Opportunities. Ed. by Nick Cheesman, Monique Skidmore, and Trevor Wilson, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. 2012 (Based on the 2011 Update)
Ruling Myanmar from Cyclone Nargis to National Elections Ed. by Nick Cheesman, Monique Skidmore, and Trevor Wilson, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. 2010 (Based on 2009 Update)
Dictatorship, Disorder and Decline in Myanmar Ed. by Monique Skidmore and Trevor Wilson, available from ANU E-Press at: press.anu.edu.au (Based on 2007 Update)
Myanmar: State, Community and the Environment Ed. by Monique Skidmore and Trevor Wilson. Asia Pacific Press. (Available from Asia Pacific Press at: press.anu.edu.au (Based on 2006 Update)

Myanmar's Long Road to National Reconciliation Ed. by Trevor Wilson. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies/Asia Pacific Press, 310pp. 2006 (Based on 2004 Update)

The Illusion of Progress. The Political Economy of Reform in Burma/Myanmar Ed. by David Mathieson and R J May. Crawford House Publishing, Adelaide, 307pp. 2004 (Based on 2002 Update)
Burma-Myanmar: Strong Regime, Weak State? Ed. By Morten B. Pedersen, Emily Rudland, and R.J. May. Crawford House Publishing, Adelaide, 287pp. 2000 (Based on 1999 Update)
Contact
Registration
Please register your attendance via Eventbrite.
Conference Dinner Friday 5 June - payment
Enquiries
E bellschool@anu.edu.au
T 02 6125 2167
For media inquiries
James Giggacher
Editor, New Mandala
T 02 6125 0528
M 0478 876 168
james.giggacher@anu.edu.au
Convenors
Nick Cheesman
E nick.cheesman@anu.edu.au
or via mbu@anu.edu.au
T +61 2 6125 0181
Nicholas Farrelly
E nicholas.farrelly@anu.edu.au
or via mbu@anu.edu.au
T +61 2 6125 8220
Advisory panel members
Justine Chambers
Violet Cho
Charlotte Galloway
Chit Win
David Gilbert
Gerard McCarthy
Khin Khin Mra
Khin Maung Yin
Myint Zaw
Pyone Myat Thu
Janelle Saffin
Andrew Selth
Trevor Wilson
Download the 2015 MBU guidebook app.
Join the 2015 MBU conversation
For updates on speakers and special events, subscribe to the Myanmar/Burma Update mailing list.
Twitter: @ANUBellSchool
Facebook: @ANUBellSchool
Instagram: share your Myanmar/Burma photos with us by tagging @ANU_BELLSCHOOL and using the hashtag #MyanmarUpdate
Participating ANU departments
Department of Political and Social Change, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific