UPCOMING PUBLIC SEMINAR: "Conflicts and Resource Politics in Myanmar" [Helsinki, 15 August 2018]

Conflicts and resource politics in Myanmar

Discussion on the complex resource politics and its implications for the peace process in Myanmar

Wednesday 15th August, 10:00-13:30 at Think Corner (Tiedekulma), University of Helsinki, Yliopistonkatu 4, Helsinki, Finland

Organized by: Development Studies, University of Helsinki in collaboration with Felm and Siemenpuu Foundation

Myanmar is experiencing a complicated process of transition towards a civilian government, multi-party democratic elections, and peace negotiations. At the same time, the recent opening of the country has resulted in an accelerating rush for the rich natural resources, including a boom in extractive industrial and agribusiness projects. Most of these resources are located in the ethnic states and many of the grievances of the various ethnic communities are entangled with the questions of access to and control over resources. In this event researchers, NGO representatives and social movement activists discuss the ways that land and other resource rights should be addressed as a part of conflict resolution towards sustainable peace in Myanmar.

The recent political changes in Myanmar has also meant a rush of different international development organisations to the country. Recently Finland too has decided to focus its support in Southeast Asia to Myanmar. The event includes a panel discussion on the Finland’s future role in Myanmar with perspectives from civil society, ministry officials and private sector.

Speakers:

• Carl Middleton, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
• Khu Khu Ju, Land in Our Hands, Transnational Institute
• Kyi Phyo, Mekong Energy and Ecology Network

*This event is a side event of the 4th Annual World-Ecology Research Network Conference that takes place this year in Helsinki (15-18 August).

Event details are available here.

UPCOMING PUBLIC SEMINAR: "'The Outsiders Role' for Peace in the South" [6-7 December]

 "'The Outsiders Role' for Peace in the South"

6-7 December 2017 at the Alumni Meeting Room (Floor 12), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Workshop in collaboration with the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University

*Please note: The meeting will be conducted in Thai but English translation will be provided.

For a full translation of the event details in Thai, please download document here.

The seminar on “The Outsiders’ Role for Peace in the South” will be focusing on Peace and Security issues in the southern border provinces of Thailand. This seminar is a collaborative effort between Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University and Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University. It will explore the roles of outsiders such as academic, civil society, media and policy makers who are not living in the area on their contribution towards peace in the Southern border provinces of Thailand.

Activity Description

This seminar is a national-level activity to provide a platform knowledge exchanges among key stakeholders (academics, scholars, researchers- emerging and seasoned, students, governments, civil society and media) on the role of outsiders and peace processes and the issue of conflict in the Deep South of Thailand. These seminars are to present findings on national level issues, in Thai language, with an aim to reach out to relevant stakeholders.

The seminar divides into two parts. First part is Public Forum: Academics-Practitioners Exchange. This session will be conducted on the first day of seminar where scholars and practitioners who are involved in peacebuilding and peace process in Southern Thailand and other conflicts in the region exchange their lessons-learned and their research findings. This forum aims to generate analysis and discussion on roles and involvement of outsiders and people in wider public on peace process and peacebuilding in Deep South of Thailand through reflecting lessons from regions and in-country. It also includes presentation of studies on minority-majority coexistence or ongoing trends of Islamophobia as one of concerns that outsiders could be involved.

Second part is Multi-stakeholders Platform. This platform will bring together scholars and practitioners who are actively involved in Deep South conflict to discuss on networking and future collaboration for effective peacebuilding process. This session will build upon insights and ideas from the academics-practitioners session on the first day as resource to draw on practical steps.    

Schedule

Two- day national seminar on Outsiders’ Role for Peace in the South; tentative date is December 6-7, 2017 at Chulalongkorn University. The first day is allocated for academic sessions on “Outsiders’ Role in Peace Process in the South” and the second day will be multi-stakeholders dialogue on the issue in order to explore collaboration and recommendations of people from different sectors. Tentative schedule is below: