Burma Issues

1 comment | February 20th, 2007 | Trackback

The aim of Burma Issues/The Peace Way Foundation, a non-profit organization in Thailand, is “to participate in building up a people’s movement which is capable of carrying out the long term struggle necessary to bring a true and lasting peace to Burma.”

Their work is divided into information, activist development, community organizing and an international peace campaign; the activist development portion includes assisting people in Burma to carry out human rights documentation themselves. Volunteers can contact the organization directly to discuss the possibility of volunteering, and current volunteer activities involve “…help with publications, database and documentation entry, computers, and English language training.”

Some of the perspectives expressed on the site are striking in a positive way: they frame “peace” not only as an end to violence, but “the identification of the root causes of war and conflict within the country and solutions to those root causes which would allow all parties and groups to live in harmony and with mutual respect and dignity.”

It is also notable that their work comes across as focusing on empowering people in Burma and not behaving towards them as victims. Aside from showing respect, this has the additional benefit of allowing the work to continue if, for example, the borders are closed.

Volunteers are asked to contribute a modest fee towards their accommodation, food and transport; Burma Issues/The Peace Way Foundation is willing to provide some support but asks volunteers to contribute. For more information, visit the Independent Volunteer site profile or the Burma Issues site itself.