INCISE Lunchtime seminar 'Buddhism and Social Justice' - Lecture by Soeren Keil (CCCU) - Conflict and Religion in Myanmar: Buddhism and Beyond

In this fourth Buddhism & Social Justice lecture Dr Soeren Keil (CCCU), will talk about the conflict in Myanmar (Burma) currently dominating the front pages of the news from the region

Myanmar has embarked on an impressive journey towards peace and democratization since 2010. The first free parliamentary elections since 1990 took place in 2010, and brought to power the first civilian government since 1963. Since 2015, a nationwide ceasefire agreement is in place between the military and several ethnic-armed-organisation, which has laid the foundation for a wider peace process in the country. The overlapping of democratization and peace-building has brought to light many issues facing Myanmar today. For once, the question of how to manage this multi-ethnic, multi-religious country is at the heart of a wider constitutional debate. Second, to ensure inclusion of all groups in the country, the peace process needs to be extended and more inclusive, and it is not yet clear how this will be done. Finally, the social, economic and political challenges facing the new government under Aung San Suu Kyi require urgent answers to uphold peace, ensure democracy and continue the process of economic development. The presentation will look at different facades of the current situation in Myanmar and the challenges that the government and international actors face in their quest to ensure a democratic, peaceful and well-developed Myanmar.