Charting the Path to a Democratic Future: Reflecting on Three Years since the Myanmar Military Coup

On the 1st of February at 1 PM (UTC+2), IIRPS VU, along with the Institute’s Asian, African and Latin American Studies Centre, is inviting you to listen to the discussion “Charting the Path to a Democratic Future: Reflecting on Three Years since the Myanmar Military Coup”.

Three years ago, the Myanmar military, known as Tatmadaw, staged a coup d’état and seized the power against the will of the people of Myanmar, reversing the democratic transition and plunging the country into a deep political, economic and humanitarian crisis. Despite the regime’s widespread, brutal and systematic repression, to date Myanmar people continue fighting for their rights and their democratic future. One of Southeast Asia’s most central yet complex countries, known for its multi-ethnic composition, vibrant civil society and significant economic potential, Myanmar is now undergoing a deep and open-ended transformation, sending a strong signal and appeal to the global community of democracies.

Four practitioners and academics with first-hand knowledge of Myanmar will share their assessments, discuss the recent political trends and the developments on the ground, and will reflect on the future of this country, highlighting the importance of transnational democratic solidarity among like-minded governments, societies, and political movements in these troubling times.

The event is being organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, in line with Lithuania’s Indo-Pacific Strategy “For a Secure, Resilient and Prosperous Future”.

Speakers:

Ms. Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a pro-democracy and human rights activist.

Mr. Philipp Annawitt, Myanmar’s National Unity Government coordinator for relations with the EU.

Ms. Violeta Podagelytė, coordinator for Myanmar, democracy and human rights at the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Justinas Stankus, PhD candidate at Vilnius University.

Moderator:

Dr. Konstantinas Andrijauskas, Assoc. Professor of Asian International Relations at IIRPS VU.

You can watch the discussion on the IIRPS VU Facebook page.