Tue 11 October 2022, 1 PM.
Since Myanmar’s military seized power from the democratically elected government last year, people across the country have taken part in nonviolent resistance including strikes, protests, and civil disobedience.
Alongside this, an armed struggle has emerged against the military regime, involving both forces aligned with the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and various ethnic armed organisations.
This discussion will explore the current situation, practical and ethical questions about the resort to armed struggle, and the role of faith groups.
Speakers
Dr Sasa
Dr Sasa is the Minister for International Cooperation of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and the face of opposition to the military junta on the global stage.
He was invited by the National League for Democracy (NLD) to join the new Government of Myanmar, which was due to be formed in February 2021. When the military seized power, a group of elected parliamentarians established the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), to represent the interests of the Parliament and the people of Myanmar, and appointed Dr Sasa to serve as their Special Envoy to the United Nations. When the NUG formed later that year he was elected to serve as Minister for International Cooperation.
Prior to entering politics he was a prominent civil society activist and engaged in humanitarian work.
Professor Anna King
Anna King is Professor of Religious Studies and Social Anthropology at the University of Winchester.
She spent five years in Myanmar before lockdown carrying out research and contributing to multireligious peacebuilding projects with international and regional partners.
Her research interests include nonviolent action and resistance and the intersections of religion, violence, and peace. Her latest article is titled ‘Myanmar’s Coup d’état and the Struggle for Federal Democracy and Inclusive Government’ (Religions 13, no. 7: 594).
Organiser
The Council on Christian Approaches to Defence and Disarmament (CCADD) provides a forum for debate offering the chance to talk to well-informed people on many key areas of conflict or related matters.
Join event
The event will be streamed live via Facebook.
