Myanmar Update 2017

The formation of a new government in Myanmar, led by the National League for Democracy, is a crucially important milestone in the country’s political transformation. This profound change is being matched by similarly far-reaching shifts in Myanmar’s economic, social and cultural landscape.
The 2017 Myanmar Update will address these multiple transformations, offering perspectives of people working on the ground and those studying the country abroad. It presents an opportunity for scholars and practitioners to draw on their research and work in studying and addressing both what is changing and remaining constant in Myanmar’s transition and how these dynamics are likely to influence the trajectory of reform over the coming years.
The conference will be hosted by the ANU Myanmar Research Centre, supported by the Department of Political and Social Change, in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.
Venue: Molonglo Theatre, J.G. Crawford Building (#132), Lennox Crossing, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
Chit Win
Research Scholar
Department of Political and Social Change
The Australian National University
E chit.win@anu.edu.au
Gerard McCarthy
Research Scholar
Department of Political and Social Change
The Australian National University
E gerard.mccarthy@anu.edu.au
Justine Chambers
Research Scholar
Department of Anthropology
The Australian National University
E justine.chambers@anu.edu.au
Nicholas Farrelly
Director, Myanmar Research Centre
The Australian National University
E nicholas.farrelly@anu.edu.au
Useful links
2017 Myanmar Update Booklet
2017 Myanmar Update Podcasts
2017 Myanmar Update Forum, Yangon University, 15-16 March, 2017
Date & time
Friday, February 17, 2017 to Saturday, February 18, 2017
Thursday 16 February 2017 |
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1730 |
1830 |
Pre-conference networking drinks hosted by Prof Michael Wesley, Dean of the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Venue: McDonald Room, Menzies Library (with Myanmar books on display) Participants: Speakers, moderators and invited guests. |
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Day 1 - Friday 17 February 2017 |
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0815 |
0900 |
VIP Welcome reception Venue: Seminar Room No. 9, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU |
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0900 |
0930 |
Welcome address by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Dean, Professor Michael Wesley. Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU |
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0930 |
1030 |
**Dr. Aung Tun Thet, Representative of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Myanmar Government and Member of the Peace Commission. Followed by Questions and Answers** |
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1030 |
1100 |
Morning Tea Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre |
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1100 |
1145 |
**Political Update** * _Matthew J. Walton, Aung San Suu Kyi Senior Research Fellow in Modern Burmese Studies, University of Oxford_ |
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1145 |
1230 |
**Economic Update** * _Sean Turnell, Associate Professor, Macquarie University_ |
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1230 |
1330 |
Lunch |
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Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre |
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1300 |
1330 |
**Book Launch:** _Buddhism, Politics and Political Thought in Myanmar_ by _Matthew J. Walton, University of Oxford_ Venue: Seminar Room No. 9, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU |
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1330 |
1445 |
**I.** **Economic Upheaval: Reform, Resources, Mega-Projects and Inequality** Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU Panel Chair: _Stephanie Fahey, Ernst & Young_ 1. Myanmar’s Mechanization Revolution: Symptoms of Structural Transformation _Myat Thida Win, Centre for Economic and Social Development; Ben Belton, Michigan State University and Xiaobo Zhang, International Food Policy Research Institute_ 2. An analysis of the determinants of income diversification and income inequality in rural economy in Myanmar _Nilar Aung, Australian National University_ 3. Special economic zones in Myanmar: the intersection of economic and political transformations _Pyae Phyo Maung, University of Melbourne and Tamas Wells, University of Melbourne_ 4. Change and continuity: Capacity, coordination and natural resources in Myanmar’s periphery _Giuseppe Gabusi, University of Turin_ |
1445 |
1515 |
Afternoon Tea Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre |
1515 |
1630 |
**II.** **State Society Relations: Welfare and Legitimacy in Transition** Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU Panel Chair: _Morten Pedersen, University of New South Wales_ 1. Documenting Myanmar’s Social Transformation: Insights from Six Rounds of the Qualitative Social and Economic Monitoring of Livelihoods _ Sam Pursch, Andrea Woodhouse, Michael Woolcock, Matthew Zurstrassen, World Bank research team_ 2. We are showing we have power: Moral citizenship & the co-production of welfare and public goods in contemporary Myanmar. _Gerard McCarthy, Australian National University_ _3._ Health as a catalyst for national reconciliation? _Si Thura, Community Partners International_ _4._ Social Welfare in Myanmar: A Mechanism for Political Legitimacy? _Yaw Bawm Manghshang_ |
1645 |
1800 |
Burmese Language Panel and Language Learning Panel 1. Burmese Language Panel: **NLD A Year in Review:** Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU Participants: Burmese speakers Panel Chair: _Chit Win, Australian National University_ 1. _Khin Ma Ma Myo, Yangon University_ 2. Language Learning Panel: _Yuri Takahashi, Australian National University_ Venue: Seminar Room No. 9, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU Participants: Non-Burmese speakers |
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1845 |
2000 |
**Gala Dinner** Cultural Show by the ANU Myanmar Students’ Association Venue: University House, 1 Balmain Cres, ANU |
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**Day 2 - Saturday 18 February 2017** |
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0900 |
1030 |
**III.****Peace & Nation Building** Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU Panel Chair: _Edward Aspinall,_ _Australian National University_ 1. Forming an inclusive statewide identity in Myanmar: The role of policies and institutions _Cecile Medail, University of New South Wales_ 2. Mon Villagers Perception on Ceasefire _Mya Mya Khin, Yangon University_ _3._ Peace Process in Myanmar: Does ‘All-Inclusiveness’ Matter? _Lwin Cho Latt, Khin Sanda Myint and Marlar Aung, Yangon University_ _4._ Separation and Integration on the Sino-Burmese Frontier: Wa Autonomous Areas in Yunnan Province and the Shan State in Comparative Perspective _Naomi Hellmann, Max Planck Institute_ |
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1030 |
1100 |
Morning Tea Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre |
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1100 |
1230 |
**IV.** **Religion Roundtable** Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU Panel Chair: _Melissa Crouch, University of New South Wales_ 1. The Role of Church in the Political Transformation to Democracy in Myanmar" _Thawng Tha Lian, Chulalongkorn University_ 2. The Securitization of the Rohingyas in Myanmar _Kyaw Zeyar Win, Yangon School of Political Science_ 3. Transformation of State-Sangha Relations? Ma Ba Tha & the State in Myanmar _Nyi Nyi Kyaw, National University of Singapore_ _4._ Transforming Memory: Community Recollections of Inter-Religious Peace and Conflict in Myanmar _Matthew J Walton, University of Oxford; Matt Schissler, University of Michigan and Phyu Phyu Thi, Myanmar ICT for Development Organization_ |
1230 |
1330 |
Lunch Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre |
1300 |
1330 |
**Book Launch:** _Burma, Kipling and Western Music: The Riff from Mandalay_ by _Andrew Selth, Australian National University_ Venue: Seminar Room No. 9, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU |
1330 |
1445 |
**V.** **Hope & Rural Transformation** Panel Chair: _Trevor Wilson,_ _Australian National University_ Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU 1. Rural Landless Poor and Their Recent Changes in Myanmar: Case of Toddy Palm Tenants _Hnin Yu Lwin and Koichi Fujita, Kyoto University_ _2._ The Role of Hope in Myanmar’s Rural Transformation: Insights from Household Survey Data from Mon State _Kyan Htoo, Myanmar Development Resource Institute_ _3._ Myanmar’s Mothers at a Time of Structural Change _Sandi Win, Shinawatra University_ _4._ Coming of Age in Hpa-an: Plong Karen Youth in a Time of Flux _Justine Chambers, Australian National University_ |
1445 |
1515 |
Afternoon Tea Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre |
1515 |
1630 |
**VI.** **Justice Roundtable** Panel Chair: _Helene Maria Kyed Von Sponeck, Danish Institute for International Studies_ Venue: Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU 1. A Transformative Approach to Law Reform in Myanmar _Melinda Tun, Asian Development Bank_ 2. Ceasefire State-Makings: justice provision in Karen and Mon controlled areas _Helene Maria Kyed Von Sponeck, Danish Institute for International Studies and_ _Annika Pohl Harrisson, Aarhus University_ 3. Justice seeking strategies in everyday life: Case study among urban migrants in Yangon _Than Pale, University of Yangon_ 4. Legal hybridity in everyday justice provision in a Mon village _Lwin Lwin Mon, Yadanabon University_ 5. Land Disputes and Plural Authorities in Karen State _Lue Htar, Senior Researcher, Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation (EMReF)_ |
Administrative Arrangements
Free of charge:
i. Pre-conference networking drinks for speakers, moderators and invited guests (16 February 2017)
ii. Morning tea and afternoon tea (17-18 February 2017)
iii. Lunch for speakers, moderators (17-18 February 2017)
iv. Gala Dinner for speakers, moderators and invited guests (17 February 2017)
Fees for participants:
i. $10 / $8 per pax for lunch (17-18 February 2017)
ii. $60 for Gala Dinner (17 February 2017)
Lunch Menu:
i. 17 February 2017: Braised mutton/Chicken cashew nuts, Tofu salad, Balachaung and Rice, catered by Australia Mon Association ($10 for two main dish and $8 for one main dish)
ii. 18 February 2017: Braised fish /Chicken curry, Assorted vegetables, Balachaung and Rice, catered by Australia Mon Association ($10 for two main dish and $8 for one main dish)
2017 Myanmar Update Gala Dinner Tickets
Conflict in Myanmar: War, Politics and Religion
Publication type: Book
Author(s): Nicholas Cheesman
Debating Democratisation in Myanmar
Publication type: Book
Author(s): Nicholas Cheesman, Nicholas Farrelly, Trevor Wilson
Myanmar’s Transition: Openings, Obstacles and Opportunities
Publication type: Book
Author(s): Nicholas Cheesman, Monique Skidmore, Trevor Wilson
Ruling Myanmar: From Cyclone Nargis to National Elections
Publication type: Book
Author(s): Nicholas Cheesman, Monique Skidmore