Conversations with Myanmar

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Khaing Zar Aung, President of the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), and Treasurer of the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM). Ma Khaing Zar grew up in Yangon, Myanmar. She began working at the age of sixteen in a garment factory, making clothing for big international labels. She joined the political movement against the previous military dictatorship led by the then Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB), while in exile in 2007. After she was able to return to Myanmar in 2012, she became a key force in helping to grow the free and democratic union movement. She is now in exile in Germany. An arrest warrant hangs over her and her passport has been declared void, but her fight for democracy and workers’ rights endures despite continued risks to her life. Here she talks about the campaign to get international companies to stop doing business in Myanmar, voices her pleas to the European Union to implement comprehensive economic sanctions to stop the flow of cash into the regime’s hands, and speaks of her determination to continue to fight for better conditions for all workers in Myanmar.&nbsp; The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Khaing Zar Aung and all those who are bravely standing up for workers rights in Myanmar during this difficult time. We are so grateful to Khaing Zar Aung for adding her voice to the conversation. Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast Thanks for listening, and remember to #KeepTheConversationGoing! Myanmar, we have not forgotten you.Follow us at @ahnahpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

"Khaing Zar Aung"

Conversations with Myanmar 

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Hsu and Charlie, two campaigners who have been working tirelessly on a project to create resources for mental health support in Myanmar, called Mental Health Myanmar. Mental Health Myanmar is a website dedicated to informing the Myanmar public about mental health, and why it is important for everyone. The contents of the resources are available in (17) ethnic languages : S’gaw Karen, Moken, Daai Chin, Khong So, Likhy, Hakha, Karenni (Kayah), Kayan, Mon, Tedim (Zomi), East Pwo, Shan (Tai Lung), Ta-ang, Rakhine, Rohingya, Lainong Naga, and Jinghpaw. They also have a Facebook page,&nbsp; 'It's OK to not be OK'. Here Hsu and Charlie talk about the obstacles to mental health awareness in Myanmar, including language barriers and the archaic laws that demonize mental health in the country. They all discuss the strategies they use to look after their own mental health as well as the resources they have created to reach the most vulnerable in Myanmar at this difficult time. The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Hsu, Charlie and the entire team behind Mental Health Myanmar, who have dedicated their time and resources to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in Myanmar. We are so grateful to Hsu and Charlie for adding their voice to the conversation, you can find our more about Mental Health Myanmar on their website: <a href="https://mentalhealthmyanmar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mentalhealthmyanmar.com</a> or their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/itsoktonotbeokmmr Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast Thanks for listening, and remember to #KeepTheConversationGoing! Myanmar, we have not forgotten you.Follow us at @ahnahpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

"Hsu & Charlie"

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Sophie Brondel, coordinator at Info Birmanie. Info Birmanie&nbsp;is a non-profit association&nbsp;founded in 1996,&nbsp;born of the desire of French citizens to defend human rights in&nbsp;Myanmar. The association works to support opponents and victims of the military junta by acting with French political and economic decision-makers.&nbsp;As part of&nbsp;their&nbsp;activities,&nbsp;they&nbsp;support all ethnic and religious groups in&nbsp;Myanmar, without distinction.&nbsp;Their&nbsp;positioning allows&nbsp;them&nbsp;to forge partnerships with organizations of different political sensitivities, but always focused on opposing the military regime.&nbsp;Here Sophie talks about the history&nbsp;and work of Info Birmanie,&nbsp;the growing unity of the Myanmar people, and the responsibility&nbsp;she feels France bears in opposing the Myanmar junta. The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Sophie and the entire team behind Info Birmanie who continue to dedicate their time and resources to fight for justice for the people of Myanmar. We are so grateful to Sophie for adding her voice to the conversation, you can find our more about Info Birmanie here: http://www.info-birmanie.org Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast Thanks for listening, and remember to #KeepTheConversationGoing! Myanmar, we have not forgotten you.Follow us at @ahnahpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

"Sophie Brondel"

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Julie and Joseph from Stars of Myanmar Friendship Club (SMFC). SMFC is run by a group of people in the UK with strong ties to Myanmar. The club focuses on supporting people in Myanmar through various means, including awareness campaigns, humanitarian aid, and providing financial assistance to those suffering under the illegal rule of the tyrannical military junta. Since the February 1st 2021 military coup, SMFC have carried out multiple fundraising campaigns which have sent money to those involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), for direct food assistance and for the purchasing of oxygen supplies when Covid-19 was at its worst in Myanmar. The group has also organised several photography exhibitions across the UK to raise money and increase the awareness of what is happening in Myanmar. At present SMFC have been leading the Four4Freedom Campaign in front of the British Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office to urge the UK government to immediately expel the Myanmar Military Attaché, in collaboration with Myanmar Unity Movement. Here Julie &amp; Joseph talk about the Four4Freedom Campaign, their respective routes to joining Stars of Myanmar Friendship Club, and the ongoing struggle for those who support Myanmar, both in and outside of the country. The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Julie &amp; Joseph and the entire team behind Stars of Myanmar Friendship Club, who continue to dedicate their time and resources to fight for justice for the people of Myanmar. We are so grateful to Julie &amp; Joseph for adding their voice to the conversation, you can find our more about Stars of Myanmar Friendship Club and the Four4Freedom Campaign on facebook: @starsofmyanmarfriendshp Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast Thanks for listening, and remember to #KeepTheConversationGoing! Myanmar, we have not forgotten you.Follow us at @ahnahpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

'Julie & Joseph'

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Chris Gunness, founder of The Myanmar Accountability Project. In 1988 Chris covered the democracy uprising in Myanmar for the BBC. He has remained an outspoken and passionate advocate for human rights and the rule of law ever since. After a 23 year career in the BBC, he joined the United Nations as Director of Strategic Communications and Advocacy in the Middle East. In 2019 he left the UN and returned to London. He founded the Myanmar Accountability Project in response to the military coup in 2021. The Myanmar Accountability Project works discretely with civil society within Myanmar to build criminal cases against individual members of the Myanmar security forces. Here he discusses their work and the current international legal cases they have pending against the Junta.&nbsp; The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Chris Gunness and the entire team behind the Myanmar Accountability Project who continue to dedicate their time and resources to fight for justice for the people of Myanmar. We are so grateful to Chris for adding his voice to the conversation, you can find our more about The Myanmar Accountability Project here: https://the-world-is-watching.org&nbsp; Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast

“Chris Gunness"

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Tom Opdyke, founder of 5k for Myanmar. A former expat, Tom lived and worked in Myanmar and like many who called Myanmar home, he was utterly devastated when the coup broke out in February 2021. Unsure of what he could do to help, he decided to run. In March 2021, one month after the coup, he started 5k for Myanmar. He told family and friends that he was going to run everyday for a month to raise money for the Myanmar people. At the end of the month things in Myanmar had not changed and were in fact getting worse, so he decided to run for another month. As there was no let up in the situation, the initiative continued to grow to the point where Tom completed a 5k everyday for a year to raise money &amp; awareness for Myanmar. Here Tom talks about the love he has for the Burmese people, his time in Myanmar, his inspiring 5k personal journey, and the next phase of 5k, where with the help of a network of supporters, someone somewhere in the world will run a 5k for Myanmar everyday. The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Tom Opdyke and all those who continue to find ways to raise awareness and generate financial support for the people of Myanmar. We are so grateful to Tom for adding his voice to the conversation. You can check out 5k for myanmar here: https://www.5kformyanmar.com Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast

"Tom Opdyke" 

Conversation with Myanmar

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Ntxoo Tori Hong, an Asian-American digital artist and illustrator. Ntxoo's most recent project: ‘Our Spring was Endless’, is an initiative through which she collaborated with Karen &amp; Dawei poet, Thet-Htar. 'Our Spring was Endless' is a wholly unique generative NFT collaboration using art and blockchain technology to support women and children from Myanmar’s Karen State displaced by the military junta. It is a collection that centralizes the power of memory, using words and images in lockstep. Each minted NFT features a single hand-drawn house and artifacts from Burmese history, bordered with the English and Burmese poetry of Thet-Htar. Her words colour each image uniquely, imbuing them with the pain of hindsight, the bravery of resistance, and the ache of abnormality. 100% of the primary proceeds from this generative fundraiser will go to emergency aid for displaced Karen women and children via 501(c)(3) fiscally-sponsored charity <a href="https://karenwomen.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Karen Women’s Organization</a>, a woman’s community-based organization that provides emergency aid to 80,000+ displaced Karen people. Here Ntxoo discusses the initiative, her desire to bring the fight for Myanmar to Web3, explains how blockchain and NFT technology works (to a very confused Suzanne and Ruth!), and speaks about her allyship with the people of Myanmar and wanting to honour the martyrs of the revolution. The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Ntxoo Tori Hong, Thet Htar and Angelina Hong for this wonderful initiative, and to all those who continue to find ways to raise awareness and financial support for the people of Myanmar. We are so grateful to Ntxoo for adding her voice to the conversation. You can check out ‘Our Spring was Endless’ here: https://ntxoo.art/our-spring/ Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast

"Ntxoo Tori Hong"

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Tin Ma Ma Oo, a Myanmar-born activist living in New Zealand. She along with her family left Myanmar for Thailand amid civil unrest during the ‘88 uprising. They became recognised as political refugees through her father and the family was chosen to resettle in New Zealand in 2000. Tin Ma Ma Oo has continued to work hard to advocate for democracy in Myanmar working tirelessly with the Democracy for Myanmar working group New Zealand. Members in this group are a collective of Myanmar community leaders, regional representatives from Myanmar ethnic communities, academia, and social justice activists. Here she talks about what role the international community needs to play in Myanmar’s story, the gap yet to be bridged between different generations of activists, as well as ethnic groups within Myanmar, and the work that Democracy for Myanmar Working Group continue to do in trying to bring about fundamental change in the fight for Myanmar’s freedom.&nbsp; The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Tin Ma Ma Oo and all those who continue to work tirelessly to campaign for Myanmar in the international community. We are so grateful to Tin Ma Ma Oo for adding her voice to the conversation. You can check out her work here: Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcast

"Tin Ma Ma Oo"

Suzanne and Ruth are joined by Myanmar painter and artist Chuu Wai, who is currently in exile in Europe. Born and raised in Myanmar, Chuu Wai's artistic impulse found a new outlet after a sexual harassment encounter on the streets of Myanmar at the age of 18. Her work considers the many ways in which society controls and scrutinizes women more than men, the ways that women resist this and how this culture is evolving. Her paintings, which she sees as part of this evolution, have won more than 30 national and international exhibitions in London, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and Canberra. When the coup broke out in Myanmar in February 2021, Chuu Wai took to the streets to protest, and a number of protest artwork and creative initiatives placed her front and center of the resistance. But a visit from soldiers to her home was a moment of awakening in which Chuu Wai realized 'that the military can do anything to her and no one can stop them.' This realization led to her making the agonizing decision to leave the country. She has however continued to irk the military with viral protest works in Europe, resulting in threats to the life of her family in Myanmar. Here she talks about fulfilling her dream to live as an artist, then losing it all when the coup happened, her decision to flee to Europe, the pain and guilt of leaving her country and her family, and her determination in continuing to resist the military with her most recent artwork in Zurich, Switzerland.&nbsp; The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going, and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. You can continue to support the people of Myanmar by keeping this conversation going. You can subscribe to this podcast on all major podcasting apps, including Apple, Spotify and Acast. You can also follow us on all our social media pages, linked below. If you’d like to reach out, please email us or fill out this form to add your voice to the conversation (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/3ee7ssm9</a>). Credits:Song: Kabar Makyay Bu (Until the End of the World), was written and recorded by Naing Myanmar, it became the revolutionary anthem of the 1988 pro-democracy movement and could be heard once again all over Myanmar during the 2021 Coup. Naing Myanmar maintains that the song is no longer his, since the '88 uprising “it belongs to everyone”.Graphics: SelinaXinSound Effects: https://mixkit.co *Special thanks to Chuu Wai and all those who continue to use their creative talents to bravely show their opposition to military rule. We are so grateful to Chuu Wai for adding her voice to the conversation. You can check out her incredible work here: www.chuuwai.com Follow ah nah:instagram.com/ahnahpodcastfacebook.com/ahnahpodcasttwitter.com/ahnahpodcast

"Chuu Wai"

The ah nah: Conversations with Myanmar podcast was born from a desire to bring into public consciousness the atrocities that are currently being committed in Myanmar (also known as Burma). Our goal is simply to keep the conversation going and to let the people of Myanmar know that they have not been forgotten. We hope that through these conversations we can tell the stories of Myanmar and highlight the horrific human rights abuses that continue to be perpetrated by the Tatmadaw (military), under the watch of the UN and the international community in 2021 (yes, this is happening in 2021!) With so many amazing people both inside and outside the country working hard to fight for freedom and basic human rights, we want to offer a platform for these voices to be heard. Some have been fighting this cause for decades, others are just beginning to raise their voice. Through these informative and inspiring conversations we aim to give hope to the people of Myanmar, that they will one day experience real change and finally live freely and in peace.&nbsp;

ah nah

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