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| Research Project: Understanding “Buddhist nationalism” in Myanmar Posted: 19 Jul 2016 07:48 AM PDT The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Oxford is looking for an academic consultant providing research support to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded project "Understanding 'Buddhist nationalism' in Myanmar: Religion, Gender, Identity and Conflict in a Political Transition." The project is directed by Dr Matthew J Walton and the Oxford-based research team includes Dr Ma Khin Mar Mar Kyi. The consultant will be expected to support the research team's activities in Myanmar in various ways. The work will be undertaken outside the UK and will consist of collecting, organizing and sharing data with the research team (including books, journals, DVDs, and other media); completing transcriptions and rough translations of collected data; supporting the research team in planning and organizing field research; occasionally conducting interviews for the project; leading in organizing regular consultation and dissemination meetings; occasionally contributing to the research team's scholarly and media outputs; and submitting quarterly progress reports to the Director. The successful candidate will have professional competency in both English and Burmese (written and spoken) and be able to complete rough translations of material from Burmese to English. S/he will have experience supporting research projects and ideally some experience in conducting research. The candidate will be organized and responsive, with a high level of attention to detail and an ability to engage delicately with sensitive topics. S/he must be comfortable interacting with government officials and high-ranking religious figures. The works will be undertaken outside the UK and, ideally the consultant will be based in Yangon (Myanmar), although candidates based in other major cities in Myanmar will be considered. The successful applicant will be required to provide the University with a copy of an adequate professional indemnity insurance policy on request. This contract will be full time commencing as soon as possible and ending on 31 July 2018. Further duties and skills required are described below. Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Any other duties as maybe assigned from time to time commensurate with the project. Selection Criteria Essential • Professional competency in English and Burmese (written and spoken); • Experience supporting research projects, including planning interviews and consultation meetings, managing small budgets, and writing reports; • Experience collecting, organizing, and analysing data; • Ability to engage delicately and effectively with sensitive topics; • Excellent administrative skills and capability, including problem solving, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team; • Comfortable working with people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Desirable • Experience in transcription and translation; • Familiarity with media in Myanmar, including social media; • Experience in event organisation; • Experience in independently managing a discrete area of a research project; • Experience working in areas related to religion, politics, gender, or conflict; • Experience conducting research, including conducting interviews. To apply for this assignment, please send a cover letter and CV (including references) to: matthew.walton@sant.ox.ac.uk. Closing date for applications is Monday noon (UK time) 8th August 2016. Applications received after the closing date cannot be considered. Download PDF file:Consultant ADVERT_ESRC |
| Khu Oo Reh's response on Suu Kyi's urging of “give” more than “take” Posted: 19 Jul 2016 07:37 AM PDT   Khu Oo Reh, spokesperson for the United Nationalities Federal Council's (UNFC) Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN), press conference on 18 July, at Chatrium Hotel in Rangoon, pin-pointed the much publicized Aung San Suu Kyi's, time and again, urging of all political stakeholders to think more about "give" than "take". The phrase actually comes from John F Kennedy's famous "Inaugural Address" in Washington, D.C., on 20 January 1961. In his speech President Kennedy urges American citizens to participate in public service and "ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country." Suu Kyi was said to have told the UNFC delegation during the meeting on 17 July that it would be hard to implement the demand of the ethnic nationalities one hundred percent; and that they should also think what they could give from their side. In response to Suu Kyi's urging, Khu Oo Reh said: "Go and look at the non-Bamar ethnic states. Mountains have turned flattened, flat lands (plains) become desert, river, stream and ponds dried. Our villages were being destroyed and our population have fled to jungles and mountains. Our mineral resources have been depleted and no trees and bamboos (forest) exist any more. Now, what do you want more from us? What should we give more?" He added: "We understood that we achieved this country's independence together hand-in-hand. That is why we are co-owner of this country. This is the kind of equality we are talking about. Because of this we don't need to ask (anyone) and also don't need to give." The most important thing he stressed was that on how peaceful, harmonious co-existence with development could be achieved. "Everyone has the duty (to do this)," he said. Khu Oo Reh's frustration regarding Suu Kyi's urging is understandable, for the militarization and oppression, coupled with economic exploitation, of the Burmese military have left a permanent scar physically and physiologically on the non-Bamar ethnic population. But this plea of Suu Kyi to consider more on "giving" to the ethnic nationalities is being interpreted as "to kowtow or give in to the Bamar domination without question", which the ethnic nationalities fervently have been resisting all these years. In other words, the ethnic nationalities should be happy with some handout in form of minimum power devolution, anchored in Bamar-dominated unitary form of governance. Suu Kyi should now think hard, if she wants to be in the same ideological boat with the military, which openly cater to ethnocentrism or Bamar racial supremacy thinking over all non-Bamar ethnic nationalities. |
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