2007 Myanmar/Burma Update Conference
Australian National University, Canberra
Monday 10-Tuesday 11 December 2007
Theme:
Political and economic updates and reports on the health and education sectors
Date:
Monday, 10 December, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Tuesday, 11 December, 9.am to 12.30pm
Venue:
Coombs Lecture Theatre, H.C. Coombs Building, ANU
Background
The military regime in Myanmar/Burma, operating as the State Peace and Development Council, maintains its hold on power and the country continues to stagnate economically and politically. There has been little movement in the political situation since 2005 when the government relocated to a new capital, Naypyitaw, in a 'greenfields' site near Pyinmana in the centre of the country. The military government manages to hold out against various campaigns by its political opponents inside and outside the country, and survived a UN Security Council vote in January 2007.
Some observers expect the years 2008-09 to see significant developments in Myanmar/Burma. The National Convention, begun by the SPDC in May 2004, is foreshadowed to conclude in 2007 after adopting guidelines for a new constitution, which is to be the subject of a referendum some time in 2008. Criticised for not including leading opposition groups, the National League for Democracy, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, or the Karen National Union, the National Convention is nevertheless the only national reconciliation process on the horizon. What kind of accommodation can be forged between the military leadership and non-military elements, as is now being advocated in some quarters? Can some ongoing relationship be formed that acknowledges the legitimate interests of the military while allowing greater freedom for individuals to pursue their betterment?
Internal security remains somewhat fragile but no real threats to the state are in evidence. Following the abolition of the military intelligence organisation in 2004,.the regime's political controls under the Special Branch of the police remain tight. While residents report less overt pressure from the authorities, there is little sign of opening up or genuine relaxation of government policies of any kind. Government practice alternates between familiar repression and occasional relaxation, without any clear indication of a strategy for the future. How the military authorities envisage coping with such challenges under a new political arrangement is not clear.
The economy continues its slow decline, saved only by a few resources projects and only partially regulated exports of raw materials. There are still no signs of badly needed, meaningful economic reforms. While the country still lacks the volume of international assistance going to other least developed countries, levels of assistance to Myanmar/Burma have increased significantly since the EU and other donors relaxed their approach to assistance. Concerns are growing about the cumulative effect of years of neglect of Myanmar's education and health sectors. More than 30 per cent of children under five suffer from malnutrition; the HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread from high-risk groups into the general population, affecting at least 1.3 per cent of the adult population and claiming an estimated 37,000 lives in 2005 alone; and morbidity and mortality rates for malaria and tuberculosis remain very high with incidences of drug resistance rising for both diseases. Life expectancy in Myanmar/Burma is lower than most countries in Southeast Asia. How serious is the crisis affecting the public health system? What are the prospects for improving if not eliminating the main diseases undermining the people's health and prospects for a normal healthy lifestyle? Will the military government's plan for Health by 2010 have an effect upon the health statistics of the nation? What effect will the Three Diseases Fund have upon the statistics?
Although universities have remained open for the best part of seven years, and many new institutions of higher education have been set up, quality of learning, teaching and overall standards have declined. Many seeking a decent education still find other countries far more attractive, so the country's "brain drain" continues. Primary education is beset by problems of poor attendance rates, lack of educational materials, increased cost for parents, and poorly trained, unmotivated teachers. Nearly half the school-age children never enrol, and only around 30 per cent complete five years of primary education. Many secondary students are moving to alternatives to the government schools (private or monastic education). What are the implications for this for the nation's education system? What will be the impact on national capacities needed for national development? There are any significant developments occurring internationally that might affect Burma's capacity for improving its performance in education?
These are the main themes that will be covered in the 2007 Myanmar/Burma Update. In format, the Update Conference differs from an academic studies conference in its explicit focus on contemporary issues, in deliberately limiting itself to trying to provide an analysis of recent developments, and its stronger emphasis on the policy implications of these developments.
Call for Papers
Each year, the Burma Update seeks papers from scholars and other analysts significantly engaged over the course of that year, within Burma, on the issues upon which the Update is focusing. Scholars and analysts are invited to submit proposals for papers on the suggested topics as well as for the political and economic update segments, along with a brief c.v. Proposals should be between 600 and 1,000 words in length and should be sent to Dr. Monique Skidmore Monique.Skidmore@anu.edu.au and Mr Trevor Wilson Trevor.Wilson@anu.edu.au by 1 July 2007. Proposals for papers should outline the content, structure and conclusions of the paper, the scope of research envisaged, and should relate clearly to the issues set out in this background paper. Proposals for the political and economic update papers should identify the key issues and trends they propose to cover.
A selection panel made of conference organisers will decide which proposals to accept and will invite the scholars selected to present their papers to the December 2007 conference. Each paper for presentation at the conference should be from 5,000 to 8,000 words in length and should be submitted no later than 30 days before the conference. The organisers reserve the right to solicit papers from recognised scholars who may not have submitted proposals, if this is deemed necessary. The decision on successful proposals will be communicated to scholars by 15 July 2007.
Joint Conveners:
Monique Skidmore, Associate Dean Postgraduate, College of Arts and Social Sciences, ANU,
Email: Monique.Skidmore@anu.edu.au
Trevor Wilson, Visiting Fellow, Department of Political and Social Change, ANU,
Email: Trevor.Wilson@anu.edu.au.
