Myanmar Update 2017

Overview
Sessions
Extra details
Publications
Gallery

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
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.
Day 1 - Friday 17 February 2017
0815	0900	VIP Welcome reception Venue: Seminar Room No. 9, JG Crawford Building, Lenox Crossing, ANU
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
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
1030	1100	Morning Tea Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre
1100	1145	Political Update * _Matthew J. Walton, Aung San Suu Kyi Senior Research Fellow in Modern Burmese Studies, University of Oxford_ * _Maung Aung Myoe, Professor, International University of Japan_
1145	1230	Economic Update * _Sean Turnell, Associate Professor, Macquarie University_
1230	1330	Lunch
		Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre
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

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. _Mangshang Yaw Bawm, Freelance Scholar_ 3. _Si Thura, Community Partners International_ 4. _Ye Yint, Australian National 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
1845	2000	Gala Dinner Cultural Show by the ANU Myanmar Students’ Association Venue: University House, 1 Balmain Cres, ANU
Day 2 - Saturday 18 February 2017
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_
1030	1100	Morning Tea Venue: Foyer of Molonglo Theatre

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)