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2013 Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit
Where the Burma's reforms are going and what can you do to help?

Dinner, Speakers, Film, Cultural Dances and Panel Discussion

Since last year, the U.S. has been warming up its relationship with Burma and lifting the sanctions in recognition of the ongoing reforms. President Obama paid a historic visit to the country last November. However, there are serious challenges and concerns as the military and their cronies are still firmly in control of the country's political and economic power while many forms of abuse continues. An election is scheduled to be held in 2015, but no one is sure what would be the likely outcome. Come share the expert's opinions on where the current reforms are going and what you can do to help while enjoying authentic Burmese food and Cultural performances. Also meet and connect with activists, Burma supporters and tabling NGOs related to Burma.

SATURDAY, March 9, 2013; 6pm-10pm
Oakland Asian Cultural Center

388 9th Street, #290, Oakland, CA
(Inside the Pacific Renaissance Plaza in downtown Oakland with parking underground; 
close to 12th Street BART at Broadway. More info: http://www.oacc.cc/visit/directions.html )

Come enjoy the taste of Burmese food and culture while helping the people!

Tickets are available online:
 http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5647449674
Make a donation: http://www.badasf.org/2012/donate-now.htm
  Download Flyer

$20 Suggested Donation (dinner included) to benefit political prisoners and BADA.
Draft Program: Dinner (6-7 pm), Dances and Speakers (7-8:10 pm), Film (8:10-9:30), Q&A (9:30-10:00)
(Dinner is vegetarian friendly; Contents will be in English; Contents are OK for children)

Contact: 415 772 2907; 510 485 3751
Email: badaonline@badasf.org; Website: www.badasf.org


Featured film with Producer/Co-Director:  “Burma A Human Tragedy, ”  the most powerful FILM narrated by Anjelica Huston about Burma’s brutal oppression and its recent past that would remind every one that people's struggle and abuses in Burma still continues though reforms is taking shape.  (40 mins)

Featured film trailer with Producer/Director: A trailer of the powerful documentary film
about the global struggle for democracy, “A Whisper to a Roar," that is gaining a lot of traction. (5 mins)

SPEAKERS:

 

LARRY DIAMOND:
  A leading expert on Global Democracy from Stanford University / TITLE: "Burma in the Context of Global Democratization"
MIN ZIN:  A leading freelance journalist and former student activist in exiled / TITLE: "Burma at a Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities"
NYUNT THAN:  Co-founder and chair of Burmese American Democratic Alliance / TITLE: "Changing Burma and The New Ways to Help"

Cultural Dances:
Burmese and Ethnic Cultural Dances, Food and Dinner: Custom-cooked and authentic Burmese Food Discount Tickets: tickets are available online and student, members and group discount available. Sliding scales suggested donations: $10, $15, $20.
 

Organized by Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) co-sponsored by Burmese American Woman's Alliance (BAWA), Burma Education Fund, Burma Refugee Family Network, Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC), Asian Society, Jelly Bean Film and Distribution, A Whisper To A Roar Film, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Build A School In Burma, Clear View Project, Community Partners International, Partners Asia, Ethical Traveler, Global Exchange (GX), Stanford STAND, Loas American National Alliance (LANA), United Ethnic Nationalities Association

Background:

Each year, the people from Burma around the world commemorate March 13 as the Burma Human Rights Day to make the death of the engineering student Ko Phone Maw as he was murdered by the Burma's military in his school campus. The killing set off the historic 1988 nation-wide pro-democracy uprising in Burma after 26 years of oppression. However, the regime brutally cracked down the peaceful protests and continued hold on to power for decades.

After five decades of oppression and military rules, there have been some signs of change towards reforms. Come share the expert opinions on if real change has begun or if it is just an illusion.

Featured film to be presented by the Producer/Co-Director:

“Burma: A Human Tragedy” FILM about Burma’s brutal oppression much of it still on going though reforms is taking place. We would like to remind every one on to forget Burma's recent past. The film would be  followed by a panel discussion with the film’s producer/co-director.

Speakers and Panelists who have visited Burma and have witnessed the new realities, met with activists and civil society groups would discuss about current reforms, its stake holders, challenges and the what might 2015 election lead the country to with a special focus on what we can do to help.

LARRY DIAMOND:
  A leading expert on Global Democracy from Stanford University / TITLE: "Burma in the Context of Global Democratization"

Larry Diamond is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, where he directs the Center for Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. He is also the Peter E. Haas Faculty Co-Director of the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford. He is the founding co-editor of the Journal of Democracy and a Senior Consultant at the International Forum for Democratic Studies of the National Endowment for Democracy.  He latest book, The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World (Times Books, 2008), explores the sources of global democratic progress and stress and the prospects for future democratic expansion.  At Stanford University, Diamond teaches courses on democratic development. He has been focusing on Burma and last year the State Department send him to Burma last July to meet and teach democracy to civil society groups.

MIN ZIN:  A leading freelance journalist on Burma and forma student activist in exiled / TITLE: "Burma at a Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities"

Min Zin is a regular contributor to The Foreign Policy’s Transition Blog. He also serves as Burma’s country analyst for several research foundations including Freedom House. He took part in Burma’s democracy movement in 1988 as a high school student activist, and went into hiding in 1989 to avoid arrest by the junta. His underground activist-cum-writer life lasted for nine years until he fled to Thai-Burma border in August 1997. His writings appear in The Foreign Policy, The Irrawaddy, The Bangkok Post, Far Eastern Economic Review, Wall Street Journal, and other publications. He is now pursuing PhD in Political Science Department at University of California, Berkeley.  He recently visited Burma the first time he fled the country 16 years ago and came back with strong opinion where the current reform might be heading to, challenges and the opportunities.

NYUNT THAN:  Co-founder and chair of Burmese American Democratic Alliance / TITLE: "Changing Burma and The New Ways to Help"

Nyunt Than is the co-founder and the current chair of the Burmese American Democratic (BADA, www.badasf.org) who has been active in the area for the past 15 years advocating freedom for the people of Burma. He has been with BADA since its founding in 2001, and all along he has been working with the communities, activists and organizations to organize actions, campaigns and activities, and also speaks about his work and the Burma. He recently visited Burma for the first time since he left 20 years ago, and reconnected with his families, friends and the institutions where he studied. During his visit, he has also met with the activists and organizations that inspire him to advocate for their courageous and inspiring work in Burma. He has witnessed the much-changed Burma and its new realities and also the new opportunities and possibilities to help the country and its wonderful people in this digital age.