Spring Flowers II International Conference to Support a Path Forward to Democracy in Myanmar
INDIANAPOLIS, February 3, 2023 — The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) and the National University of the Union of Myanmar (NUUM) – Global Campus, in partnership with co-hosts and collaborators, will be hosting the Spring Flowers II International Conference on Myanmar from February 8 to 12, 2023.
The conference will bring together local, national, and international actors from diverse backgrounds in an effort to support peace and democracy in Myanmar (Burma).
U.S. Senator Todd Young will address the conference and Melissa A. Brown, Deputy Assistant U.S. Secretary of State, will deliver the keynote policy speech. Other senior U.S. government officials will also be speaking.
Senior leaders of Myanmar’s civilian government, including Chairman of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) U Aung Kyi Nyunt and leaders of the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), as well as senior leaders of the Myanmar democracy movement will deliver messages for the people of Myanmar and international stakeholders.
More than 50 scholars and researchers and many other speakers from activist and advocacy groups, rights groups, student unions, university councils, and international organizations will make presentations and participate in discussions on humanitarian aid, constitutional development, democratic institution building, and the role of the international community in bringing about change in the Southeast Asian nation.
“We hope that through continued serious and substantive debate and discussions the conference will be able to further generate innovative ideas that help inform a common vision for a new Myanmar and provide strategic priorities and policy guidance for the revolutionary movement as well as the long-term development, peace, and prosperity of the country,” said Elaisa Vahnie, Executive Director of BACI.
To maximize inclusive participation and dialogue, the program will include keynote speeches, panel presentations of academic papers, expert panels, roundtable discussions, reports by NUG officials, and special sessions.
The conference will conclude with the observation of 76th Myanmar Union Day in a hybrid format — also featuring musical and cultural performances — as the community reaffirms their support for freedom, equality and democracy based on the principles enshrined in the Panglong Agreement. ###
Our Co-hosts
Featured Speakers
Featured speakers can be found HERE.
Conference Program and Schedule
The conference program can be found HERE.
Registration is FREE. We have made this arrangement to make the conference more accessible to all. Registration is good for the entire conference (Feb 8-12) or parts of it, including the celebration of the 76th Myanmar Union Day on February 11 (Feb 12 Myanmar time zone).
Registration options:
Direct registration via Zoom, click HERE. For registration page, with options, visit HERE. Donation options for Peace and Democracy in Myanmar, visit HERE. Questions regarding registration, please contact us at: info@thebaci.org.
About BACI
The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI also supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through new initiatives, collaborative and strategic partnerships, and advocacy.
About NUUM
The National University of the Union of Myanmar – Global Campus (NUUM) was established in July 2021 in consultation with its partners and stakeholders, especially with diverse groups of people in Myanmar. It currently offers over 12 certificate programs to Myanmar students through online courses taught by instructors from Myanmar as well as friends of Myanmar from around the globe. In addition to providing teaching, learning opportunities and training, NUUM contributes to reform efforts and building systems for future democratic institutions, serves as a hub for academic research, scholarship, and intellectual inquiry, and generates ideas for innovations and policy debate, in support of democracy in Myanmar. Website: https://nuumedu.org/
About CRPI
The CRPI is designed to promote collaborative research, policy solution and action projects with local researchers, Burmese scholars, international colleagues, and stakeholders engaged in work related to the Burmese American community, Asian Americans, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, and the diaspora communities. The goal of the CRPI is to further innovative research activities, policy, and development-oriented projects that align with BACI’s vision and mission for advocacy, education, and service. For more information about the center, visit the CRPI website at: https://crpi-us.org/
