Burma/Myanmar: Views from the Ground and the International Community
On May 8, 2009, the Atlantic Council of the United States, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and NBR in cooperation with Refugees International convened this forum to inform policymakers about the situation in Burma/Myanmar and the international response. Representatives of the international community, humanitarian workers with on-the ground experience, experts, and the policy community in Washington, D.C., joined together for an off-the record discussion. Experts and aid workers addressed questions about the humanitarian situation, which is on the verge of crisis, highlighting what programs are successful and where the needs are greatest. Members of the international community shared their approaches and explored avenues for better international coordination.
Forum Information and Materials
- “Burma/Myanmar: Views from the Ground and the International Community Project Report,” by Catharin Dalpino, Georgetown University
- “Setting the Scene: Lessons from Twenty Years of Foreign Aid” by Morten B. Pedersen
- “What to do for Burma’s children?” by Andrew Kirkwood
- “Strategy and Priorities in Addressing the Humanitarian Situation in Burma,” presented by Richard Horsey
- “Singaporean Perspectives and Approaches,” presented by HE Ambassador Chan Heng Chee
- “Japanese Perspectives and Approaches,” presented by Keiichi Ono
- “Norwegian Perspectives and Approaches,” presented by HE Ambassador Wegger Christian Strommen
- “The High Costs of Non-Solutions in Burma/Myanmar” by Khin Zaw Win
- Forum Agenda and Participant Biographies
Forum Proceedings
WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS
Frances Zwenig, Counselor, US-ASEAN Business Council
PANEL I: HUMANITARIAN ISSUES: THE VIEW FROM THE GROUND
What is the humanitarian situation? What programs are most successful? Where are their opportunities for improving international cooperation?
Moderator
The Honorable Morton Abramowitz, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation
Scene Setter
Morten Pedersen, Research Fellow, Australian National University
Panelists
Andrew Kirkwood, Country Director, Save the Children, Burma
Debbie Aung Din, Country Director, International Development Enterprises
Richard Horsey, Open Society Fellow
PANEL II: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES AND APPROACHES
What approach do the neighbors and key economic partners take to addressing the humanitarian situation? Are their opportunities for closer international coordination?
Moderator
The Honorable Richard Armitage, President, Armitage International
Panelists
Singapore
HE Ambassador Chan Heng Chee
Japan
Keiichi Ono, Director, First Southeast Asia Division, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thailand
Charge d’Affaires Damrong Kraikruan, Royal Thai Embassy
Norway
HE Ambassador Wegger Christian Strommen
Australia
David Stuart, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Australia
CLOSING REMARKS
Thant Myint-U, Author, The River of Lost Footsteps
