Insight Myanmar

This interview was recorded before the recent suspension of USAID programs under the Trump administration, which has placed the future of the Diversity and Inclusivity Scholarship Program (DISP) in jeopardy. As a USAID-supported initiative that equips Burmese educators with skills for inclusive and culturally relevant teaching, the program that Maw Maw Tun and Chan Lwin describe in this episode now faces uncertainty about its continuation.Episode #309: Myanmar's educational landscape has faced immense challenges, especially due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the 2021 military coup, which created significant barriers for marginalized communities. Despite these difficulties, individuals like Chan Lwin and Maw Maw Tun are working to make education more inclusive and adaptive across Myanmar. Chan and Maw lead the Diversity and Inclusivity Scholarship Program (DISP), an initiative supported by USAID that aims to empower teachers. Chan oversees DISP’s strategic direction, while Maw is lead instructor, conducting weekly Zoom sessions that help educators adapt blended learning methods to fit their communities. Their collaboration ensures that teachers not only gain skills but also receive ongoing support in applying these skills effectively.Historically, Myanmar's education system has been centralized, controlled by state ideology, and emphasizing rote learning. The 2011 political reforms encouraged some changes, but disparities persist, especially between urban and rural areas. The pandemic highlighted these inequities as schools moved online, and rural students faced a lack of access to reliable internet and devices.DISP is dedicated to empowering educators, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Teachers from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds are involved to create a more representative and culturally sensitive curriculum. They are also supported in creating resources in their native languages, which helps make education more meaningful and accessible. Maw emphasizes the importance of starting with what is possible: “We have to start with ourselves—doing what is possible now. It's not about a perfect scenario but about making a real difference with what we have.” This encapsulates the spirit of DISP, empowering local educators to shape their own paths and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for Myanmar's education system.

Episode #308: “Stop saying that, 'Oh, China is in Cambodia. Vietnam is in Cambodia. We will never be able to win the war and to go back to Cambodia. Stop putting that into your mind. Stop living in fear! One thing I learned from Aung San Suu Kyi is living in fear. I refuse to live in fear. Live beyond that.”Mu Sochua, an exiled Cambodian politician, reflects on her journey from the devastation of the Khmer Rouge genocide to advocating for democracy and justice. A tireless opponent of Hun Sen’s authoritarian regime, Sochua recounts Cambodia’s history of war, resistance, and the transformative efforts she has led to empower women and rebuild society. Her campaign redefined cultural norms by elevating the status of women, a symbolic victory that spurred legislative change.Sochua draws strength and inspiration from Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, admiring their creativity and defiance against military oppression. She highlights the National Unity Government’s efforts to maintain essential services, presenting them as a model for Cambodia’s diaspora-led resistance. She also met with Aung San Suu Kyi, which reinforced her belief in leadership that combines compassion and resolve, inspiring Sochua’s vision for a unified Cambodian movement.Critiquing Cambodia’s reliance on cybercrime and unchecked environmental exploitation for income, Sochua emphasizes the urgency of systemic reform. She urges the Cambodian diaspora to overcome disunity and advocate collectively for change, warning that fragmentation undermines international support. Despite exile, Sochua leads the Khmer Movement for Democracy, lobbying for sanctions and preparing for free and fair elections.“When we heard that there is a part of NLD, there is a group that will go for arms conflict, at first we were shocked! We were not in favor. And then, the question is, 'So, what's the what's the solution? Do we wait for ASEAN? Does Myanmar continue to wait for ASEAN, for the international community?' No, and lowering the tenacity, the resilience, the pride or the history of the people of Myanmar that have suffered so much, have fought so much. This is the last fight.”

Episode #307:  Ashley South's exploration of Myanmar began as a journey into the unknown. He first worked with Karen refugees in Thailand, where he struggled to deal with the many cultural and religious differences. But over time, his understanding of Myanmar was transformed, deepening his connection with the people.Traveling extensively through Kachin, Shan, and Mon states, South's insights reveal Myanmar not as a true “nation state,” but more a tapestry of distinct, ethnic identities, and a colonial creation held together by force. While advocating for the assertion of ethnic identities, he highlights the challenges of ethnic identity politics, acknowledging the risks of an exclusionary movement and intragroup conflict, like the fragmented Karen nationalist movement. For South, an inclusive, federal government is the only way forward that would prevent Myanmar from fragmenting into isolated enclaves.The impact of climate change is another key concern for South. He explains that rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events will severely impact Myanmar, particularly its agricultural base. Coastal regions like the Irrawaddy Delta face significant risks due to rising sea levels, which could displace millions."I don't expect the state of Myanmar to recover in my lifetime, partly for political reasons," he says soberly towards the end of the discussion. "But also [stemming from] the impacts of climate change, I think that these are going to be devastating. And so I don't expect a coherent Myanmar state to recover. I think that does have massive humanitarian implications, which will inevitably drive huge suffering and displacement, which are not things to celebrate. But also it does create a political opportunity for the reemergence of these identities and associated political spaces that have arguably really been suppressed since the emergence of the modern nation-state."

Episode #306: John Quinley, a Director at Fortify Rights, notes that his initial interest in Myanmar arose during his high school years when he lived in Thailand, and he recounts a humanitarian mission into Shan State deeply impacted him during that time. He has been involved ever since.Quinley describes how before the coup, Fortify Rights led participatory training to build a knowledge of human rights, helping communities document abuses, and making connections with international legal mechanisms like the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 2021 coup shattered the country’s tenuous transition to democracy, forcing Fortify Rights to pivot to providing emergency support—helping activists find safehouses, providing grants, and documenting the junta’s abuses against peaceful protesters.Quinley speaks about the importance of regulating his own emotions while facing secondary trauma from witnessing and documenting human rights abuses. He emphasizes the need to remain empathetic while staying clinical, striving to support those in Myanmar without being overwhelmed by the suffering he encountered.A central theme of Quinley's message concerns the resilience of Myanmar's people. He highlights efforts by ethnic armed groups and the National Unity Government (NUG) to build an inclusive, democratic future, in contrast to the exclusionary policies of the military regime and even the past administrations of the National League for Democracy. To Quinley, the NUG's unprecedented step of appointing Rohingya representatives signals a shift towards greater inclusivity.Quinley remains hopeful, seeing the courage and determination of Myanmar's youth, the cooperation across ethnic lines, and the rise of local governance structures that operate independently of the junta. As he notes in closing, “The Myanmar people have said, 'We will still build a future, fight for our rights, and create alternative systems to meet our own needs.'”

Episode #305: Paul Sein Twa is a Karen environmentalist whose life and work embody the intersection of conservation, indigenous rights, and the pursuit of peace. He shares his journey growing up along the Burma-Thailand border, where he witnessed the massive deforestation caused by unchecked logging, and how it motivated him to dedicate his life to preserving Myanmar's natural landscapes and empowering indigenous communities.The conversation delves into Paul's work with the Salween Peace Park, an initiative that combines ecological conservation with cultural preservation and fostering community resilience. Paul passionately describes the relationship his people hold with the land, where nature is not merely a resource but a sacred heritage that sustains both body and spirit. The Peace Park represents a vision of governance driven by the principles of stewardship and indigenous wisdom, showing how conservation can also be a form of resistance against military exploitation and political oppression.Paul describes the challenges and triumphs of maintaining environmental integrity in a conflict-ridden region. He talks about working with the Karen National Union to create policies that support sustainable development while resisting exploitative military-backed projects. He highlights the importance of building resilience from the grassroots level and engaging local communities as key actors in managing their territories.“We cannot just talk about environmental conservation without recognizing the human rights of the people who are living in that territory. We have to first recognize the rights of the indigenous people and local communities, and that's where we talk about human rights-based approach to conservation. This is exactly what we the Peace Park is doing! And then, by recognizing our rights, and then by holding hand with other communities, we can… can achieve more, right?” With these words, Paul Sein Twa offers a powerful reminder: the fight for the environment is not merely about preserving nature—it is about safeguarding the soul of a people.

Episode #304: In this episode, we bring together three guests who share stories of resilience, artistry, and the transformative power of creative expression when faced with the challenges of displacement and conflict.Elisabeth Win, the Outreach Coordinator of Joy House, discusses its role as a safe space for Burmese refugees in Thailand, focusing on psychosocial support through music, art, and vocational training. She highlights Joy House’s efforts to bridge cultural gaps between the Thai host community and Burmese refugees by providing free classes and outreach programs in local schools. Elisabeth also explains the challenges refugees face, including legal insecurity and cultural adjustment, and the importance of fostering goodwill with the Thai community.Phoe San shares his journey as a violinist and music teacher who fled Myanmar after the coup due to his activism, including leading a violin protest movement. Despite challenges, he continues to teach violin online and in Thai refugee communities, emphasizing the instrument's expressive and therapeutic potential. He reflects on using music to memorialize victims of the military’s violence, sharing a poignant story of playing at the site of a friend’s death. Phoe San sees a healing power in music which can help displaced individuals, and he highlights the transformative power of art in conflict zones.Daniel Saw recounts his escape from Myanmar following the military coup, detailing the dangers of crossing into Thailand with his family. Now a music producer and teacher, he gives piano lessons and vocal classes to support himself and displaced communities. Daniel reflects on the importance of art in emotional healing and self-expression, noting that music fosters resilience and offers a creative outlet for trauma relief.

Episode #303: Hagar International, founded by Pierre Tami in Cambodia in 1994, began with a mission to support a single abused woman but quickly grew to assist thousands of vulnerable individuals affected by extreme human rights abuses. Catherine Kirkendall, the Executive Director of Hagar’s U.S. office, joins the podcast to discuss their organization’s mission.In the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia was left a devastated infrastructure and widespread poverty on top of its national trauma. Hagar's work expanded organically as the community's need for systemic support became evident. The organization played a significant role in transitioning from institutional care to family-based support, ensuring children had access to stable and nurturing environments.In Myanmar, Hagar has worked for over a decade, partnering with local organizations to build capacity, provide trauma-informed care, and support resilience-building to address the widespread trauma resulting from trafficking and political turmoil. By offering culturally appropriate counseling and economic empowerment programs, Hagar aims to support communities under increasing strain.In addition to its work in Cambodia and Myanmar, Hagar also operates in Afghanistan and Thailand. In Afghanistan, they assist boys exploited through Bacha Bazi, a coercive practice involving sexual abuse. In Thailand, Hagar collaborates with authorities to combat child exploitation, focusing on building strong legal cases.Hagar’s approach wherever it operates is grounded in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and long-term reintegration for survivors, while empowering them to rebuild their lives. Kirkendall emphasizes that systemic change is essential to prevent exploitation, focusing on individual impacts that create broader community ripples, even when the challenges seem overwhelming."It is tough. It is very hard," she acknowledges of the work. "All that we can do is focus on the individuals that we can work with and know that each individual then causes that ripple in their own community. And so it's that focus on each person, because otherwise, you look at the whole and it does become overwhelming and depressing."​

Episode #302: We are joined by Jansen Stovicek, a former monk from the Czech Republic who spent many years in Myanmar as Ashin Sarana. He discusses the intersection of Buddhism and Myanmar's challenging political landscape, with a focus on Thabarwa Sayadaw, an influential yet polarizing monk who inspires both deep reverence and strong controversy. (Note that we will refer to Ashin Sarana by his monastic name here, as at the time of the interview, he had not yet disrobed.)Ashin Sarana notes that Thabarwa Sayadaw has repeatedly made statements that seem both supportive of the military and openly questioning democratic forces, suggesting that the latter lacks emotional maturity and stability—yet he and his supporters insist on his neutrality. This claim is further belied by controversial remarks he has made about the country’s non-Buddhists, which often appear dismissive or at best, ambiguous. These comments minimize the historic and ongoing suffering of the country’s minorities at the hands of the military. Thabarwa’s own statements have created much distance between himself and Myanmar’s democratic movement.Beyond his political stance, Thabarwa’s skepticism toward economic development and education—which he views as eroding core Buddhist values—has placed him at odds with advocates of modernization. He has expressed concern that development poses a risk to religious devotion, which he sees as fundamental to Burmese identity, and he has spoken in ways that indicate a belief in the military as a force that protects traditional values.A core theme in Thabarwa’s worldview concerns his definition of “peace.” For him, true peace is not just about the absence of violence; it lies in the presence of unwavering devotion to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. By this logic, a society devoted to these values could be considered “peaceful” despite injustice and violence towards marginalized communities. This perspective has made him a divisive figure, sparking debate about his role in Myanmar’s struggle for freedom and stability, and complicating his public image.“One thing I need to add," Ashin Sarana says in closing, "is that there is one kind of attachment that arahants [fully enlightened beings] entirely relinquish, and that is attachment to views. And I wonder if the Sayadaw actually has attachment to a view regarding the military.”

Episode #301: “I want to invite everybody to see the Karen people not just as victims, but to experience the real beauty in the culture, the uniqueness, the simplicity.” These are the words of Saw Sha Kerpaw Wah, a humanitarian from Karen State, Myanmar, who shares his story of displacement, identity, and commitment to his people. Born in 1995 during the fall of Manerplaw, the headquarters of the Karen National Union, his family fled through the jungle, marking the start of their journey as refugees. Sha Kerpaw Wah spent his early childhood in a refugee camp in Thailand, before his family resettled in Norway. There they found safety, but engendered a sense of cultural dissonance. Although warmly welcomed in Norway, and living there for 20 years, Wah always felt a deep spiritual connection to Kawthoolei, the Karen homeland, feeling that it was his "duty" to return and serve his people.A major turning point in Wah’s life came during his final year of college when he watched a video of Karen indigenous leader, Saw O Moo, inspiring him to leave his studies and fully dedicate himself to humanitarian work. He began making frequent trips back to Kawthoolei, working to support those displaced by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war.Today, Sha Kerpaw Wah continues to serve the Karen people, advocating for education, self-reliance, and a united leadership among Karen leaders. His ultimate dream is to see a peaceful, independent Kawthoolei where future generations can grow up free from the violence and trauma that have shaped his life.

Episode #300: Three panelists explore the complexities of Myanmar’s revolution against military oppression, diving into its tactical, logistical, and humanitarian challenges. Our guests include Anthony Davis, a security analyst with extensive experience in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Philippines; Azad, an internationalist from the United States who spent nearly a year working with resistance groups in Chin State and has prior experience in northeastern Syria; and Marc, a field strategist with broad expertise across Africa and Asia, who has provided tactical and logistical guidance to Myanmar’s resistance since the early days of the conflict.They discuss the grassroots origins of the resistance, born from peaceful protests and evolving into armed defiance against the junta. This transformation brought early struggles with mistrust between ethnic armed organizations and newly formed People’s Defense Forces, stemming from decades of ethnic tension. Despite these divisions, the resistance grows stronger through strategic adaptation and grassroots unity.The panelists then highlights the significant obstacles Myanmar’s revolution faces, including a lack of external support from neighboring countries and global powers, forcing the movement to rely on domestic efforts. They examine the logistical challenges of sustaining the fight, from resource shortages to the high cost of essential equipment like ammunition. Yet, technological advancements, such as encrypted communication and drones, have bolstered resistance capabilities, showcasing innovation in the face of adversity. Ethnic divides remain a critical issue, complicating unity among resistance groups. Some progress has been made through alliances in regions like Chin State, yet mistrust and competing interests still hinder broader cohesion.Beyond strategy, the panel delves into the profound humanitarian crisis. Millions of civilians endure displacement and deprivation, placing immense strain on the resistance. Yet despite these challenges, Myanmar’s revolutionary spirit remains unbroken. The panelists stress the need for trust-building, improved coordination, and a vision for federalism to sustain the movement and shape a post-conflict Myanmar. Ultimately, the revolution is fueled by resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to liberation in the face of overwhelming odds.