De Heus Myanmar Ltd’s Post

I think this piece of the analysis is a bit harsh (though true, in many cases) and mistakenly paints all international efforts to support the people of Myanmar with the same brush (understandable, but we don't all do the same things). But the questions are important. Part of the answer is that there are no "solutions" to ethnic conflict. Conflicts (tensions in relationships and between groups) will be perpetual. What matters is how they are dealt with. Sometimes competition leads people under pressure to choose violence; while others might choose dialogue. Some of that is a question of capacity; some of it is a question of inclination; and some of it is a question of leadership (for example, there are always those who choose to exploit differences, fears, or frustrations for their own political gain) -- but all influenced by specific circumstances. It's also a question of design -- of well (or poorly) designed mechanisms for balancing or managing differences among stakeholders, while remembering that ethnicity is only one facet of those differences. Democratic pluralism is advanced citizenship. And democracy is a never-ending series of negotiations (and conflict management efforts). And lessons from other experiences elsewhere -- if respectful, relevant, and facilitated well -- can be a worthwhile contribution. "There are no easy ways of solving Myanmar’s decades-long ethnic conflicts, and it is not only the leadership of the supposedly unified resistance, called the National Unity Government, that has been unable, or unwilling, to provide workable alternatives to the present order. The foreign peacemakers, who descended on Myanmar in droves during the period of relative openness from 2011 to 2021, held seminars and workshops on catchy topics such as “peacemaking,” “dialogue patterns,” “good governance,” and “reconciliation,” which had little or no relevance to the bitter realities on the ground in the conflict areas. Millions of dollars were wasted on fatuous exercises, suggesting inapplicable solutions modelled on entirely different kinds of peace processes elsewhere in the world. In the end, those efforts raised false hopes, caused confusion, and have only served to aggravate already existing problems and conflicts." #Myanmar #conflict #governance #democracy https://lnkd.in/ghFZhdKA

Myanmar has had a volatile history. This instability impacts our security, too - three of our states share a border with Myanmar, as does China in the north. How is the situation in Myanmar unfolding? What should we do about the Rohingya refugee problem, the recently abrogated Free Move Regime, the restoration of democracy in Myanmar and engaging with the military Junta? In a conversation with Maj Gen Neeraj Bali, Director, Gyan Chakra Think Tank, Defence Analyst Maj Gen Shammi Raj discusses the entire spectrum of issues. Gyan Chakra Think Tank is an independent entity, and all views are those of its participants. The contents do not include official views or support for any classified material. #India #Myanmar #Geopolitics #InternationalAffairs #Strategy https://lnkd.in/gS86df2v

Htet Hlaing Win on #China’s 🇨🇳 #peacemaking mission in #Myanmar. 🇲🇲 ✍️ ‘’China’s ongoing peace efforts in Myanmar will not last long if Beijing continues to disregard important structural issues.’’ 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: ☝️China’s attempt to intervene in the Myanmar conflict neither considers longstanding conflict dynamics nor strives to solve them. ☝️Beijing’s method of peacebuilding—forcing stakeholders to sit around a table and then pushing them to agree to immediate ceasefires—is not sustainable and so far has not worked. ☝️Chinese investments have caused social and environmental disruption in Myanmar and a new wave of Chinese projects could escalate the existing tensions. More on China’s attempts to meddle in Myanmar here: https://lnkd.in/ejeXDJf8

Meet Sao Khun Pan Sein, the Sawbwa who declined General Aung San's personal offer to become Myanmar's first president, choosing to prioritize public consensus over personal power. Read the full story below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eRdWsPik

The latest conflict in Papua: https://lnkd.in/gEmWN2j6 The conflict in Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, is a reflection of the complex dynamics between the militaristic approach and its impact on civilians. The presence of fully armed officers triggered fear among civilians, especially due to the minimal previous interaction between local communities and military institutions. The militaristic approach has often been used in Papua to deal with pro-independence groups such as the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). However, this strategy often marginalizes non-military approaches that prioritize dialogue, reconciliation, and social development. As a result, tensions between security forces and local communities have increased, leading to mass displacement, as happened in Oksop District. The impact of the militaristic approach in Papua can also be seen from the damage to public trust in the government. The decision to deploy troops without considering local socio-cultural conditions creates the impression that the state prefers violence to dialogue. This is exacerbated by the absence of a post-conflict recovery mechanism involving civil society. For example, many refugees from Oksop District fled to the forest without access to basic necessities such as food and medicine, a situation that reflects a lack of attention to the humanitarian impact of military operations. If seen more broadly, the militaristic approach to the Papuan conflict is not only happening in Oksop District but also in various other areas in Papua that have experienced prolonged conflict. Tensions between the Indonesian government and the Papuan people have been going on for decades, triggered by various factors such as socio-economic injustice, cultural marginalization, and the controversial history of the annexation of Papua. In many cases, military operations are carried out in response to attacks by armed groups or community protests, which often only exacerbate tensions in the region. The militaristic approach also fails to address the root causes of the conflict in Papua. As expressed by Emanuel Gobay from LBH Papua, the unclear political history of Papua and the structural injustice experienced by the Papuan people are the main causes of ongoing tensions. In this context, military deployment is not a comprehensive solution, but rather a short-term response that has the potential to worsen the situation. This confirms that the conflict in Papua is not only a security issue, but also a humanitarian, political, and development issue that requires a more comprehensive approach. The conflict in Papua, especially in Oksop District, shows that the militaristic approach has limitations in creating true peace. To achieve sustainable stability, the Indonesian government needs to adopt a more holistic approach, by placing the welfare of the people as the main priority.

As ASEAN leaders gathered its 45th Summit in Vientiane, Laos, the situation in Myanmar continues to dominate the regional agenda. With China’s influence growing and civic space in Laos severely restricted, civil society engagement faces significant challenges. FORUM-ASIA’s East Asia-ASEAN Programme Manager, Cornelius Hanung, provides insight into the complexities surrounding this year's summit and the human rights implications for Southeast Asia. In this interview, Hanung discusses ASEAN's limited progress on human rights, especially under Laos' leadership. He reflects on the Five-Point Consensus, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, and the increasing transnational repression across the region. Hanung also highlights China's growing presence in ASEAN and its potential to overshadow human rights concerns in favour of economic investments. Read the interview in CIVICUS Lens ▶️ https://lnkd.in/gt_s53g3 CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation #HumanRightsForAll

The R&D message is landing. In every #diaspora policy, strategy, or action plan I've been involved in, one of the most prominent points of discussion I try to spark is around R&D. Why? In those discussions, you hear a lot from different stakeholders on the need for more data, evidence, and tools for engagement. When it comes to diaspora engagement, many of the existing tools are too transactional or "once off" to build the nuanced information and relationships required for success. E.g., I hear so often from diasporas that they hear from different orgs for a research project here, mapping there, etc and never hear back from them. It makes them a little disillusioned with it all (the upside is that this often sparks the diaspora to take more ownership). But there's a hidden asset to the R&D question too......it asks: are folks willing to believe, invest and have the patience to deliver world class design and delivery? Great to see Manuel Marques Pereira new role in Somalia covered in this article and also Somalia's eagerness to establish a Diaspora Centre for National Development....another signal of the rise of diaspora R&D. The biggest win of all of this....it will lead to a new cohort of local and global expertise specifically built by, on and for diaspora. Huge role for Ireland too in all of this by sharing our models of engagement. Onwards.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Embarks on Visit to India: Strengthening the Strategic Partnership 🤝 I am delighted to share an exciting update concerning the diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam. Vietnam's Prime Minister has embarked on a three-day visit to India, paving the way for deeper engagement and further strengthening their strategic partnership. 🇮🇳 However, what has caught my attention the most is India's unique approach to soft diplomacy in countering external forces that pose a threat to its national interests. One intriguing aspect of this approach is India's initiative to develop temples in Vietnam. In this exclusive YouTube discussion, which we had in December 2022, we delved into the intricacies of India's soft diplomacy efforts and explored how this will impact its already thriving partnership. 🗓️ By investing in the development of temples in Vietnam, India not only aims to preserve its cultural heritage but also establishes deeper cultural ties with the Vietnamese people. These temples serve as symbols of friendship, unity, and shared values between our two nations. This unique approach showcases India's commitment to forging lasting connections beyond just political and economic ties. The strategic partnership between India and Vietnam has blossomed in recent years, characterised by robust trade and defence cooperation, cultural exchange programs, and people-to-people contacts. With Vietnam's Prime Minister visiting India, we can anticipate a further deepening of these ties and an exploration of new avenues of collaboration. India's soft diplomacy initiatives, including the development of temples, carry immense potential to foster greater understanding and goodwill between nations. As we ponder the impact of this visit, it is crucial to reflect on the historical context of our partnership. Let us remember our shared struggles for independence and the values we hold dear - freedom, democracy, and human rights. 🤝 I request you all to watch this YouTube discussion, where we discussed the significance of collateral ties and their potential implications for our strategic partnership. Together, let us celebrate the spirit of friendship and explore how we can contribute to the growth, prosperity, and stability of our respective nations. #IndiaVietnamDiplomacy #StrongPartnerships #SoftDiplomacy #CulturalTies #Friendship #IndiaVietnam #Diplomacy #SoftPower #StrategicPartnership #ActEastPolicy #IndoPacific #CulturalTies #EconomicEngagement #DefenseCooperation #InternationalRelations

“There are 172,000 Koreans living in Uzbekistan, the largest number out of the total 300,000 Koreans residing in Central Asia,” President Yoon Suk Yeol noted during his interview with Uzbek news outlet. #KoreanDiaspora #UzbekistanKorea #CentralAsiaKoreans #CulturalDiversity #InternationalCommunity #GlobalCitizens #DiversityInclusion #CulturalExchange #PopulationStatistics #UzbekistanCommunity

Today join me as we travel south from China to Myanmar, or as it was formerly called, Burma. Miss Burma, written by Charmaine Craig who herself is of Burmese descent, navigates the tumultuous history of Burma through the 20th century. The book is loosely based on Charmaine’s own family, with Miss Burma her mother. The book starts off with Jewish protagonist Benny and his Karen (an ethnic minority) wife, Khin, parents of Miss Burma, Louisa, and her siblings. A family of minorities. The reader travels with the family through WW2, as Japanese soldiers ravage the country, to the intensely violent civil war, Karen uprising and fight for independence, the unsurprising duplicity of the British and the rise of General Aung Sun (father of Aung Sun Suu Kyi). Craig highlights the struggles faced by minorities in a nation marked by historical strife, culminating in Louisa's selection as the representative of the Union of Burma in 1956—a symbol of hope for unification. "Miss Burma" resonates similarly to "Pachinko," shedding light on a region many may overlook despite its proximity to Singapore. As someone who grew up with kind-hearted Karen and Burmese domestic helpers, this book provided a striking blend of familiarity and foreignness, enhancing my understanding of the current political climate in Myanmar. I highly recommend this book for those seeking historical context about this beautiful yet troubled nation. Next week we go to Thailand. #LeanneLibrary #Myanmar #MissBurma #CharmaineCraig #HistoricalFiction #BookRecommendations