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The Steel Butterfly: Aung San Suu Kyi Democracy Movement in Burma

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presents The Steel Butterfly: Aung San Suu Kyi and the Democracy Movement in Burma Photo courtesy of First Post Voices Against Indifference Initiative 2012-2013 Dear Teachers, As the world watches Burma turn toward democracy, we cannot help but wish to be part of this historic movement; to stand by these citizens who long for justice and who so richly deserve to live in a democratic society. For 25 years, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi endured house arrest because of her unwavering belief in, and fight for, democracy for all the people of Burma. Through her peaceful yet tireless example, Madam Suu Kyi has demonstrated the power of the individual to change the course of history. Now, after 22 years, the United States of America has reopened diplomatic relations with Burma. President Barack Obama visited in November 2012, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited in December 2011 and, in July of 2012, Derek Mitchell was appointed to represent our country as Ambassador to Burma. You who are the teachers of young people, shape thinking and world views each day, directly or subtly, in categories of learning that cross all boundaries. The Echo Foundation thanks you for your commitment to creating informed, compassionate, and responsible young people who will lead us into the future while promoting respect, justice and dignity for all people. With this curriculum, we ask you to teach your students about Burma, the Burmese people, and their leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The history of Burma is fascinating. Long in the margins of traditional studies, it deserves to come into the light so that we may join the people of Burma in their quest for a stable democracy. With all good wishes for stimulating adventures in learning, Stephanie G. Ansaldo, President The Echo Foundation The Steel Butterfly: Aung San Suu Kyi and the Democracy Movement in Burma Photo courtesy of Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun THE ECHO FOUNDATION 1125 E. Morehead St. Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28204 www.echofoundation.org Foreword In the past couple of years, the world has seen a remarkable shift from autocratic forms of government to democracy. Citizens across the globe have begun to overtake the shadows of the past, and are now breaking through the chains of fear in order to embark on a journey for change, equality, justice, and tolerance. As members of a democratic society, we have the responsibility to express our opinions and the privilege to choose our own path in life. As citizens of the world, we must also acknowledge others who are fighting every day for the same freedoms we often take for granted. For the last several months, we have been tracking the progression of the democratic movement in Burma, a Southeast Asian country which has made astonishing advancements toward building a more democratic form of government for its citizens. At the head of this movement is world-renowned Nobel Peace Laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Imprisoned by the Burma’s military regime for decades, Suu Kyi became the symbol for Burma’s democracy movement. Now free, she is an active participant in the country’s transformation. Her remarkable commitment to those struggling in her country and around the world has been an example for democratic movements in the 21st century. The Steel Butterfly: Aung San Suu Kyi and the Democracy Movement in Burma tells some of her incredible story, with context on Burma’s history and current political reforms. As we’ve researched this curriculum, we’ve had the privilege to get to know Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma. We are inspired by their courage and determination; from them, we’ve learned that every one of us has the power to make a difference. Sincerely, Poulumi Banerjee Virginia Reid Student Intern Student Intern Myers Park High School Providence High School The Echo Foundation 4 The Steel Butterfly The Steel Butterfly: Aung San Suu Kyi and the Democracy Movement in Burma Table of Contents I. Current Event Spotlight…………………………………………………………………7 A. Obama to Make Landmark Visit to Myanmar This Month II. Cultural Context: A Brief History of Burma…………………………………...…….10 A. Burma Profile B. The History of Burma C. A Chronology of Key Events in Burma’s History D. Burma or Myanmar: The Name Game E. Burma Profile – President Thein Sein F. Media Coverage in Burma G. Burma's Ethnic Conflicts See Slow Progress to Resolution H. Activity – Debate: Dialogue as a Necessary Component of Democracy I. Study Questions III. An Introduction to Aung San Suu Kyi ………………………………………..............37 A. Profile on Aung San Suu Kyi B. The Meaning of Her Name C. Aung San Suu Kyi: A Biography D. Influences on Pro-Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi E. The Legacy of Her Father, Aung San F. Burma TV Marks Suu Kyi Father's Martyrs' Day Memorial G. Burmese Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Receive United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Elie Wiesel Award at National Tribute Dinner H. Nobel Acceptance Speech I. Study Questions IV. Buddhism and Its Impact on Aung San Suu Kyi……………………..........................61 A. Aung San Suu Kyi: ‘Buddhism has influenced my worldview’ B. Following the Buddha's Footsteps C. Main Buddhist Festivals D. Study Questions V. Aung San Suu Kyi Political and Humanitarian Work.................................................79 A. Aung San Suu Kyi Calls For Release of all Burma's Political Prisoners B. Opposition Leader Suu Kyi Calls for Protection of Ethnics in Myanmar C. Aung San Suu Kyi Calls For More Aid to Ethnic Areas D. Aung San Suu Kyi and the Art of Compromise E. An Interview with Burma’s Democracy Activist Aung San Suu Kyi After House Arrest F. The 2011 Time 100 G. A List of Literary Works by Aung San Suu Kyi H. Excerpts Fom Her Books I. Study Questions The Echo Foundation 5 The Steel Butterfly VI. Transitioning to Democracy………….........................................................................102 A. Strengthening Civil Society an Important Step Towards Democracy B. Burma’s Quiet Reformers C. What Will Burma’s Economic Future Look Like? D. More Milestones in Burma E. Burma Elections: Suu Kyi Voters on Their Future Hopes F. What Now for Burma After Election Landslide? G. EU Agrees to Suspend Most Burma Sanctions H. Barack Obama Appoints Derek Mitchell as First US Ambassador to Burma I. Study Questions VII. Reference Materials.............................................................……………………..……134 VIII. Appendix: About The Echo Foundation………….……………………………….....138 Special Thanks The Echo Foundation thanks 2012 student interns Poulumi Banerjee, senior at Myers Park High School, and Virginia Reid, sophomore at Providence High School, for the many dedicated hours they contributed to the research and development of this curriculum guide. Statement of Use The Echo Foundation is pleased to provide this curriculum guide for use in teaching and private study. For educational purposes only, you may reproduce (print, copy, or download) any part of this guide crediting The Echo Foundation as follows: Educational materials compiled by The Echo Foundation through its Voices Against Indifference Initiative Please note: In all cases, appropriate credit to the individual author and publication are the responsibility of those who reproduce this material. The Echo Foundation 6 The Steel Butterfly I. Current Event Spotlight: Obama to Make Landmark Visit to Myanmar This Month From Reuters By Aung Hla Tun and Matt Spetalnick 9 November 2012 President Barack Obama will become the first U.S. leader to visit Myanmar this month, the strongest international endorsement of the fragile democratic transition in the Southeast Asian country after half a century of military rule. Obama will travel to Myanmar during a November 17-20 tour of Southeast U.S. President Barack Obama speaks with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi Asia that will also during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Septemer 19, take in Thailand 2012. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Kevin Lamarque and Cambodia, the White House said on Thursday, confirming his first international trip since he won a second term in Tuesday's election. He is going ahead with the trip despite recent sectarian violence in western Myanmar that has drawn concern from the United States and European Union. U.N. human rights investigators have criticized the quasi-civilian government's handling of the strife between Buddhists and minority Muslims, and some Myanmar exiles see Obama's trip as premature before political reforms have been consolidated. The Echo Foundation 7 The Steel Butterfly The visit to Myanmar, the first by a sitting U.S. president, will give Obama a chance to meet President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to encourage the "ongoing democratic transition", White House spokesman Jay Carney said. Suu Kyi spent years in detention under the military as the figurehead of the movement for democracy. She was elected to parliament in April, when her National League for Democracy (NLD) ran in by-elections after boycotting a 2010 poll. Obama will be in Myanmar on November 19, according to a senior government source in Yangon, where people expressed delight. "I believe it is a clear sign of improved ties between the two countries and I am very glad that our NLD party played an important role in working for the emergence of this situation," said NLD executive committee member Han Tha Myint. Myint Soe, vice-chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the historic visit showed Myanmar had now been admitted into the international community. "It's good for President Obama to see things with his own eyes," he said. "I would like to request him to keep encouraging the democratization process in our country by helping to promote the socioeconomic standards of the people." Obama's presence in Myanmar, also known as Burma, will highlight what his administration sees as a first-term foreign policy achievement and a development that could help counter China's influence in a strategically important region.
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