Programs

Our Mission:

The Burma Fund (TBF) strengthens the human and institutional capacity of Burma's democracy movement. The Burma Fund (TBF) strengthens the human and institutional capacity of Burma's democracy movement. TBF supports those who are building Burma's civil institutions and working for a peaceful transition to lasting democratic governance.
TBF seeks to implement this mission through three core programs:

I. Research and Policy Planning Program

The Research and Policy Planning program facilitates the development and documentation of public policies. It plans to advance Burma to a democratic and civil society, provide current and future leaders and administrators with analysis and experience to guide the transition and development process when the political conditions in Burma permit the implementation of such plans.

II. National and Ethnic Reconciliation Program

The National and Ethnic Reconciliation Program facilitates inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic dialogue on resolving governance issues of mutual concern by providing a forum for discussion, laying the foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation, while providing a mechanism to resolve differences in a peaceful manner. TBF will not determine outcomes but maintain an open and participatory process based on democratic principles, thus setting in practice the benefits of a democratic approach to the leaders of Burma.

III. Human Capacity-Building Program

By offering opportunities to participate in TBF sponsored activities under the Research and Policy Planning and National and Ethnic Reconciliation Programs, the Internship, Fellowship and Capacity-Building Program is an educational vehicle enhancing the skills, knowledge and professional experience of people from all of Burma's ethnic nationalities. Their participation advances their capacity to contribute to the transition and democratic process. This program trains and empowers people at different stages of learning and is not restricted to students or those with technical or academic backgrounds.

In addition to these four core programs TBF maintains an administrative and fundraising unit for the implementation of bureaucratic matters, volunteer management and the outreach to small individual donors.

RESEARCH AND POLICY PLANNING

Approach

The Research and Policy Planning program facilitates the development and documentation of public policies. It plans to advance Burma to a democratic and civil society, provide current and future leaders and administrators with analysis and experience to guide the transition and development process when the political conditions in Burma permit the implementation of such plans.
Design of Activities

The Research and Policy Planning Program takes a three-tiers, proactive and strategic approach to the implementation of its activities:

· provide analysis, develop and assess the options to manage a negotiated transfer of political power, including elaboration and assessment of feasible implementation plans;
· facilitate, document, and implement public policies to guide the transition and long-term development process, thus addressing immediate relief needs and ensuring the long-term sustainability of transitional activities. TBF recognizes that providing relief to the population is necessary for long-term stability and sustainable development goals;
· respond to research inquiries from entities in the democratic movement by supplying research and policy based advice that informs and facilitates their operations.

TBF chooses the following implementation approach to ensure maintenance of high quality work while enabling its own capacity to expand the coverage of its activities:

1. Identification of a number of select activities fitting into its strategic research and policy planning approach based on its own assessment, input from the Board of Directors and other stakeholders,
2. Composition of concept papers, proposals and teams for execution, building on and expanding its networks with Burma experts, public and private donor institutions, research partners at universities, institutes and non-profit organizations from around the world;
3. Funding of proposals using a number of funding vehicles, such as private, public and individual donor contributions to TBF and partner organizations for ear-marked activities, funds from general fundraising activities, as well as pro-bono and in-kind contributions from research partners;
4. Facilitating the participation of Burmese researchers and students through TBF's internship and fellowship program;
5. Supervision of implementation through TBF staff, expert Board members and steering committees; and
6. Documentation, translation and dissemination of results and outputs through adequate communication and storage instruments (i.e. electronic media, Internet, newsletters, books and publications).

Ultimately, the knowledge base created as a result of these activities will support/guide the efforts of the political and administrative leadership to structure and implement transitional policies, including the negotiated transfer of power. It will also facilitate donor coordination in program implementation. In the meantime, these activities:

· educate those who aspire to promote and sustain peaceful change towards democratic governance and the building of civil institutions in Burma,
· generate analytical and policy in-depth analysis in support of pro-democratic interventions at key international conferences and venues, such as the UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Convention, ASEAN political and technical meetings, European Union, U.S. and other bilateral and unilateral meetings,
· provide to international decision-makers analyses of conditions in Burma and/or access to Burma experts or researchers, and
· create a nexus of information, resources, and working relationships accessible by and moveable to Burma during transition.

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NATIONAL AND ETHNIC RECONCILIATION BACKGROUND

Background

Burma is a multi-ethnic country inhabited by 106 ethnic nationalities with diverse cultures and distinct languages and dialects. The Burmans, making up 60 percent of the population have been the mainstay of power since independence from the British in 1948. The other major non-Burman ethnic nationalities are the Arakan, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Mon and Shan.

The leaders of the Burman-dominated military see ethnic diversity and recognition of rights of the non-Burman ethnic peoples as threats to the security and stability of Burma. Citing this imagined threat as an excuse, the military leadership staged a coup in 1962. Since that coup, national policies framed by successive regimes reflect this thinking by the military leadership.

Claiming that the country would break up without the military's guidance, the generals, who have ruled Burma since 1962, have resorted to all means to consolidate their hold on the country. Today, they are introducing to the country what they call "disciplined democracy" or a system of governance under the control of the military. The military also justifies its outright repression--control on everyday life and the brutal crackdowns on any dissent--as its contribution to helping "perpetuate the sovereignty of the union and preserving the unity of the nationalities."

The generals' myopic approach has given rise to the very consequences they claim to be preventing. Without freedom of expression and the right to self-determination, many non-Burman ethnic people have chosen armed struggle to win back their rights. The majority of the people also faced with political repression and economic hardships want change. The nationwide protests and demand for democratic reforms in 1988 also reflect the mood of the nation today.

The backlash from the military's oppressive approach is that, although they fare no better in the hands of the military, the Burmans are considered as the oppressors by the non-Burman ethnic peoples. The distrust between the Burmans and the other ethnic nationalities, sowed since colonial times and perpetuated by military rule, has continually grown over the years. No real effort has ever been made on a national scale to address this problem.

Approach

Today, the non-Burman ethnic movement for equality, justice and self-determination against the military dictatorship has been reinforced by the democracy movement that was born during the nationwide protests for democratic change in 1988. The people involved in both movements now have a common struggle. Although burdened with prejudices, both have started to learn from and support each other in the pursuit of equity and democracy.

The National and Ethnic Reconciliation Program facilitates inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic dialogue on resolving governance issues of mutual concern by providing a forum for discussion, laying the foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation, while providing a mechanism to resolve differences in a peaceful manner. TBF will not determine outcomes but maintain an open and participatory process based on democratic principles, thus setting in practice the benefits of a democratic approach to the leaders of Burma.
Design of Activities

If democracy is to survive, preparations must be made today to foster and solidify understanding and mutual respect currently existing among the people involved in the movements for democracy and ethnic equality. If given the right conditions, existing relationships can be built upon to create a basis of reconciliation and partnership. TBF activities include:

· Providing opportunities for the non-Burman ethnic peoples to express their vision about what a future democratic nation of diverse ethnicity should be. This can be formulated through roundtable discussions, conferences to review existing constitutions and proposed constitutions.
· Design trust building measures such as administrative and management training programs and multicultural exchange programs, like ethnic language course for Burmans and English-speaking Burmese teachers to teach English.
· Collect booklets, declarations, and statements made by leaders of different ethnic nationalities. Party platforms, declared intentions and objectives of legally registered different ethnic political parties inside Burma will also be compiled.
· Record, transcribe and publish interviews with different ethnic leaders and public figures. TBF also encourages and facilitates close-door roundtables and forums. All proceedings will be recorded on tape, by photograph and in print for future reference.
· TBF will publish stories focusing on life at the border, in refugee camps, and covering the lives of children. These stories will be compiled and disseminated quarterly to further awareness of the plight of ethnic nationalities and their struggle.
· Organize an Advisory Group comprised of non-Burman ethnic advisors. They will come from National Democratic Front (NDF) and non-NDF ethnic forces. Informal meetings, suggestions and opinions from this group will be taken for consideration to implement in the TBF National and Ethnic Reconciliation program.
· Two secretaries, one in Thailand and one in India, will be appointed to facilitate the Advisory Group and to periodically report developments to and facilitate dialogue with The Burma Fund.

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INTERNSHIP, FELLOWSHIP AND CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAM

Approach

The Internship, Fellowship and Capacity-Building Program is an educational vehicle enhancing the abilities and knowledge of people from all of Burma's ethnic nationalities. Participation in TBF-related Research and Policy planning activities or capacity-building workshops informs, trains and empowers people at different stages of learning and is not restricted to students or those with technical or academic backgrounds.

Design of Activities

TBF activities include extensive training and exposure, mentoring and placement. Projects will advance the participant's capacities to articulate, engage and address issues currently relevant to the democracy movement, during transition and towards sustaining democracy in Burma. The fellowships are geared towards people from technical and academic fields who are committed to working on Burma-specific projects. All other participants are provided training on diverse topics, including diplomacy; how international organizations, such as the United Nations or the World Bank, functions; persuasive and public speaking.
The TBF Internship and Fellowship program works in close alliance with The Burma Fund's Research and Policy Planning and National and Ethnic Reconciliation programs.

· People of all ages interested in advancing their abilities, knowledge and skills are encouraged to apply. This is especially targeted to those living in exile in India and Thailand. Program participants may be provided training in the United States, India, Thailand and other countries.
· The Burma Fund selection committee includes The Burma Fund staff, its Board Members and representatives from the ethnic disenfranchised groups. The selection committee includes a provision for the ethnic groups in Thailand and India to nominate appropriate candidates.
· TBF coordinates training workshops, provides translated materials, and organizes presentations by various specialists (i.e. labor organizers, staff from non-governmental organizations, researchers, especially those working on Burma-related topics).

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