The Myanmar/Burma Conference Series
The Burma Update is a series of regular conferences that focus on recent economic, political and social conditions in Burma and provide in-depth analysis into a select theme of particular relevance to Burma's socio-economic development. They have been held approximately every 18 months since their inception. From 2004 it was called the Myanmar/Burma Update.
The main objective of the Update is to inform government agencies, academics, policy makers, the corporate sector, NGOs, journalists and other key sectors about this strategically important country. Each conference has featured Burmese and non-Burmese professionals presenting the results of research done on recent developments and timely issues in Burma. People attending the conference come from diverse backgrounds: development assistance specialists, journalists, lawyers, government officials, business people, academics, and students.
Each time the conference includes presentations on political and economic developments as well as papers that address emerging issues. Previous Burma Update themes have addressed national reconciliation, state/civil society relations and the role of the military, agriculture and rural development, issues of governance, economic prospects, and regional relations'.
The first Burma Update was organised at the Australian National University in 1990 by ANU researchers. In recent years the conference series has been organised in conjunction with researchers from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. Financial assistance for the series has been provided by the Australian National University and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) in Singapore. Support the 2004 conference was received from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Support for the 2006 conference was received from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
Several books have resulted from these conferences and others are under preparation. Visit here to see the list of publications from previous Update conferences.
NEWS: The next Myanmar/Burma Update is to be held at the Australian National University on 3-4 December 2007. Conveners of the conference for the ANU are Dr Monique Skidmore and Mr Trevor Wilson. The call for papers for this conference will be available by the end of March 2007.
