- Yangon, Myanmar
- Peace and Conflict Studies, Peacebuilding, Peacekeeping, Peace Movements, Security and Peace Studies, Peace Education, and 16 moreChildren and Youth, Youth development, Youth, Myanmar, Burma Myanmar, Youth, Peace and Security, Youth Policy, National Youth Policy, Peace Processes, National Dialogues, National Youth Dialogue, Political dialogue, Peace Negotiation, Mediation, Public Participation In Governance, and Bosnia and Herzegovinaedit
- Independent researcher, consultant, and trainer focused on sustainable peacebuilding within transitional and fragile statesedit
This paper seeks to shed preliminary light on youth efforts to participate in Myanmar’s peace process since 2011, discuss some of the key challenges facing youth in peace efforts, and raise policy recommendations to facilitate... more
This paper seeks to shed preliminary light on youth efforts to participate in Myanmar’s peace process since 2011, discuss some of the key challenges facing youth in peace efforts, and raise policy recommendations to facilitate understanding of how youth could be better engaged in the peace process. The paper is written based on the author’s qualitative research, interviews and observations over the last year with youth-led organizations, youth peace activists, ethnic youth leaders, international policy analysists, senior authorities within former formal peace structures, research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. It is aimed to broaden the discussion on ‘inclusivity’ and increase understanding of youth participation in Myanmar’s peace process.
Research Interests:
Literature examining the participation of youth during peace processes is limited. Previous work has often focused on youth as "peacebuilders" and agents of change or threats to peace in the post-accord period, with little emphasis on how... more
Literature examining the participation of youth during peace processes is limited. Previous work has often focused on youth as "peacebuilders" and agents of change or threats to peace in the post-accord period, with little emphasis on how young people participate during the negotiation phase. This article seeks to fill this gap by assessing youth inclusion and participation in Myanmar's ongoing peace negotiations. The study finds that, while youth have not had formal inclusion avenues in the peace negotiations , there are cohorts of young people who perceive themselves to be legitimate stakeholders in the peace process, who have attempted to gain access to decision-making in the peace negotiations, and have played active roles in supporting the process. It is argued that recognizing youth as key stakeholders in the peace accord will play a vital role in building sustainable peace within Myanmar's nascent democracy.
Research Interests: Peace and Conflict Studies, Inclusion, Negotiation, Peace Movements, Social Inclusion, and 15 morePeace Studies, Young People, Youth Leadership, Sustainable Peacebuilding, Peace, Peacebuilding, Youth, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Myanmar, Myanmar/Burma, Peace Processes, Burma Myanmar, Security and Peace Studies, Inclusive Peace, and Sustaining Peace
Young people — individuals, organisations and networks — constructively involve themselves in socio-political development and change, peacebuilding, peacemaking and conflict transformation. These constructive involvements can be seen to... more
Young people — individuals, organisations and networks — constructively involve themselves in socio-political development and change, peacebuilding, peacemaking and conflict transformation. These constructive involvements can be seen to be embodied within a youth space: a multi-dimensional space within the socio-political context that young people create, shape and sustain. Is there, within this space, also a space of dialogue and mediation, where young people are transforming conflicts with a dialogic and mediative approach? This question has, by and large, been left unanswered.
This study gives rise to some considerations about a more adequate and befitting conceptual, analytical, methodological and normative framework for exploring the youth space of dialogue and mediation.
The paper decidedly disengages from the prevalent discourses on youth, which are already well-covered in literature: ‘they are both troublemakers and peacemakers’ or ‘they are a special and potent category of peace agents, and therefore need to be empowered’. Rather, the focus of this exploration is on existing stories of dialogic and mediative efforts in the youth space, in an attempt to bring to light some insights usually left in the dark, and to stimulate a discourse hitherto absent. This is deemed particularly timely, given the inception of a myriad of initiatives since the adoption of UNSCR 2250.
This study gives rise to some considerations about a more adequate and befitting conceptual, analytical, methodological and normative framework for exploring the youth space of dialogue and mediation.
The paper decidedly disengages from the prevalent discourses on youth, which are already well-covered in literature: ‘they are both troublemakers and peacemakers’ or ‘they are a special and potent category of peace agents, and therefore need to be empowered’. Rather, the focus of this exploration is on existing stories of dialogic and mediative efforts in the youth space, in an attempt to bring to light some insights usually left in the dark, and to stimulate a discourse hitherto absent. This is deemed particularly timely, given the inception of a myriad of initiatives since the adoption of UNSCR 2250.
Research Interests:
A formative study exploring how young people in Myanmar create spaces for dialogue and seek to mediate in Myanmar's complex conflict contexts.
Research Interests:
Youth protection as a concept and practice is relatively new in international discourse. While children (defined as those aged 18 years old and under) are protected through numerous international treaties, conventions, and standards,... more
Youth protection as a concept and practice is relatively new in international discourse. While children (defined as those aged 18 years old and under) are protected through numerous international treaties, conventions, and standards, “youth” as a stakeholder (18-29 years old) with specific needs is a more recent development. Looking at global practices, there is an information and programming gap related to protection of, and protection by, young people in conflict.
This report was produced as part of the youth protection assessment of Nonviolent Peaceforce's work in Myanmar, and is based on interviews, workshops and observations conducted between January and May 2018. It focuses on strengths and challenges of youth engagement in civilian ceasefire monitoring and civilian protection monitoring.
This report was produced as part of the youth protection assessment of Nonviolent Peaceforce's work in Myanmar, and is based on interviews, workshops and observations conducted between January and May 2018. It focuses on strengths and challenges of youth engagement in civilian ceasefire monitoring and civilian protection monitoring.
Research Interests:
Myanmar’s youth have long contributed to political change and continue to be drivers of social cohesion and peacebuilding in their communities. With Myanmar transitioning towards a democratic and civilian-led government in 2011, young... more
Myanmar’s youth have long contributed to political change and continue to be drivers of social cohesion and peacebuilding in their communities. With Myanmar transitioning towards a democratic and civilian-led government in 2011, young people are facing new multifaceted changes and challenges in the evolving socio-political context. The opening of the economy, increased access to information and media, and greater transportation infrastructure are creating new opportunities for young people’s development – but also pose additional challenges for social harmony and building peace.
This report presents the key findings from a youth-led research that assessed social cohesion in urban areas in Myanmar. The research was conducted between 29 January and 7 February 2018, led by 52 young researchers (trained by the lead researcher) who interviewed 553 respondents.
This report presents the key findings from a youth-led research that assessed social cohesion in urban areas in Myanmar. The research was conducted between 29 January and 7 February 2018, led by 52 young researchers (trained by the lead researcher) who interviewed 553 respondents.
Research Interests:
Myanmar's first Youth, Peace and Security report assessing the contributions, challenges, and opportunities for youth to engage in peace-building and Myanmar's ongoing peace process.