Myanmar Conflict Transformation
Since 2021 the Initiative for Peacebuilding has led research and engagement activities concerning conflict transformation in Myanmar. Please see below for a summary of activities by year.
2024
On Thursday the 21st of November, the Initiative for Peacebuilding hosted a Myanmar delegation, who were visiting Australia for a tailored 3-week Fellowship program and networking initiative funded by DFAT and delivered by the Diplomacy Training Program and Lawkapala Foundation. The event included presentations by relevant NGOs and a seminar on multiculturalism in Australia included discussions from Dr Tania Miletic, Professor Joe Lo Bianco and Dr Michael Breen from the University of Melbourne.
The Initiative for Peacebuilding and Myanmar Research Network were honoured to co-host a public seminar on 27 June 2024 featuring Her Excellency Daw Zin Mar Aung, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, and hear her updates on the work of the National Unity Government and their struggles towards an end to military violence and return of democratic rule in Myanmar. Former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans AC provided a response to Her Excellency's comments. Please see a recording of the seminar below.
In collaboration with the Australia Myanmar Institute, on 2 February 2024 the IfPB convened a major symposium entitled Pursuing conflict transformation and peace in Myanmar. Scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the military coup, this hybrid symposium brought together Myanmar and Australian government leaders, researchers and practitioners to reflect on and further prospects for conflict transformation in Myanmar through presentations, panel discussion and participatory engagement. The topics were selected to span justice, economics, youth, heath, diaspora and expert/officials, liberated areas and issues pertaining there, minorities, and many others.
Please see below for a recording of the symposium and links to recordings of each of the sessions.
Welcome, commemoration and opening remarks
with Dr Tania Miletic of the IfPB, Professor Joseph Lo Bianco on behalf on IfPB and AMI, Ms Sophia Htwe, and Professor Mark Edele, Deputy Dean Arts Faculty
Pursuing conflict transformations in Myanmar
with Her Excellency NUG Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung
Overview of past peace process and principles for future conflict mitigation and long-term reconciliation
with Dr Bertil Lintner, Associate Professor Nicholas Coppel, AMI President and former Ambassador to Myanmar and Dr Tun Aung Shwe, National Unity Government’s Representative to the Commonwealth of Australia
YanGONE-during the war
a photographic presentation by artist Mayco Naing
Prospects for future change
with Deputy NUG Human Rights Minister Aung Kyaw Moe, Ms Tasneem Roc, Campaign Manager, Myanmar Campaign Network/ Member, Women Peace & Security, and Dr Michael Breen, Myanmar Research Network
Building a more equitable economy: after the Generals
with Professor Sean Turnell and Dr Htwe Htwe Thein, Curtin University
Out of the ashes: destruction and recreation of health care
with Emily Tip on health on care before 1 Feb 2021; Dr Paul Komesaroff on after the coup: cruelty and disaster; Dr Thet Htay on defending health care in Karenni State; Dr Raymond Tint Way on building the health care system of the future
Now and future-focused action for conflict transformation: young people’s reflections
with Sophia Htwe and Paing Hset
Reflections on conflict transformation and Myanmar
with Dr Emma Leslie, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
Australia and a future democratic Myanmar and closing remarks
with Dr Tun Aung Shwe and Professor Joseph Lo Bianco
2023
- National Day of Prayer for just peace in Myanmar. A multi-faith prayer service, Collins Street Baptist Church, 30 April 2023 in support of Myanmar attended by 800 people
- Follow-up briefing on 16 May 2023, with Mr. Peter Khalil MP on the impact of conflict on faith communities. In collaboration with faith leaders, Bishop Philip Huggins, Director, Centre for Public Christianity, the Rev. Meewon Yang, Coordinator Multicultural Ministries Baptist Union of Victoria, the Rev. John Gilmore, President National Council of Churches Australia, Mr. Ko Naing Saulsman, spokesperson, CRPH/NUG Australia, Dr. Tania Miletic and Denise Nichols
- Briefing with Mr. Peter Khalil MP on Myanmar by Dr. Tania Miletic and Dr. Emma Leslie
- Seminar Human rights and prospects for peace in Myanmar, with HE Aung Myo Minn, NUG Minister for Human Rights, hosted by the IfPB and Myanmar Research Network at the University of Melbourne
2022
- Confidential briefings to MPs by IfPB staff and board members, including Senator Jordon Steel-John, MP and Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
- Meeting with DFAT Myanmar Task Force regarding the impact of conflict on faith communities in Myanmar. Led by: Archbishop Philip Freier, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, the Rev. Meewon Yang, Ms. Denise Nichols, Dr. Tania Miletic and Mr. Ko Naing Saulsman
2021
- Closed Roundtable on Pathways to support independent media in Myanmar and Asia. Hosted by the IfPB and organised by Free Media Myanmar. Held by Zoom on Thursday 10 June 2021
- Closed Roundtable on Australia’s strategic policy position in regard to Myanmar
- Closed Roundtable on Myanmar’s Covid 19 crisis and Australia’s part in regional responses, 27 August 2021
- Global Webinar Re-focusing ASEAN and Australian strategies to support conflict transformation and humanitarian efforts in Myanmar. 20 October 2021. Moderator: Christopher Gunness, Executive Director, The Myanmar Accountability Project. Speakers: HE Daw Zin Mar Aung, NUG Foreign Minister, Dr. Emma Leslie, President CPCS, Mr. Charles Santiago, Chairperson, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, and Prof. Baogang He, Alfred Deakin Professor and Personal Chair in International Relations
From our friends and collaborators
A Critical Situation: Responding to the Challenges of Providing Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Myanmar
An article by Charlie Artingstoll, Maha See and Eolene Boyd-MacMillan published by Tea Circle Myanmar Read now
Addressing the 2021 Myanmar Coup: A New Strategy for ASEAN
An article by Dr Tun-Aung Schwe published by the Australian Institute of International Affairs
Myanmar Research Network
The Myanmar Research Network (MRN) was created in 2019 by a small group of researchers from the University of Melbourne, who saw a need to connect researchers and students working on and/or interested in Myanmar. MRN now includes over 60 members, including academics, practitioners and students within and beyond UoM.
Australia Myanmar Institute
AMI aims to create and strengthen sustainable, multi-sectoral, collaborative applied research and capacity building partnerships between Australia and Myanmar, to the mutual benefit of Australian and Myanmar institutions and in a manner that effectively manages capacity constraints in Myanmar, and with the ultimate aim of advancing social and public welfare in both countries.