THE TWO DAYS: Strengthening Student Capacity and Seminar On Current Political Situation Had Been Successful

The projects have been done successfully as prepared at 4:30pm on 5 October 2012 (Friday). In these two days project, Strengthening Student Capacity and Current Political Situation on Burma, there are 45 trainees attended in the first day and 30 trainees attended in the Second day including CSU’s members. In the first day, the program started from 10:00 am in the morning and the first session of Strengthening Student program was finished at 2:00 pm in the afternoon. The Second session, fresher’s welcome program of the first day program was started at 2:30pm and it was over by 6:30 pm in the evening at Chin Believers Church (CBC).

Firstly, Mr. Lal Lian Bik, who is doing M.A (Social Work) in Delhi University had presented under the topic of “Different Education System: India and Burma”. He, Mr. Bik, emphasized on the Education system of India in comparative approach to the Education in Burma. He says, in India, the Education system operates under the HRD (Human Resources Development). He mainly emphasized on the Higher Education-Colleges/ Universities level and explained how Indian Colleges and Universities are running. Mr. Bik also said that there are Colleges and Universities run under the Central, State, Deemed and Private.

Mr. Bik explained the various levels of the education standard and requirement for eligibility and stage of competition to get into various kinds of further studies and research program. He also gave different types of hints through which one can identify the colleges or universities as there are many fake colleges and universities are running in India. He said came the institution must came under or approved by UGC (University Grant Commission) and AICTE or must be Deemed or run under Central and State government.He also explained various challenges to get into IIT-JEEs and IIMs. IIT-JEE is common platform to get into IIT and will be enrolled according to the ranking.

Question from the audience: 1. Mr. Billy Jackson from Matu Community and CSU’s member asked, after completing BBA what is the further scope?

Mr. Bik says there are many prestigious MBAs, IMMs in India. So also there are various Deemed and Private Universities which doesn’t need entrance examination for MBA.Mr. Arvind from BCP-Delhi added, BBA students must emphasize to get into MBAs and IMMs but proper documentation, presentation and must clear CAT is essential.

2. Mr. Beihmosa from Mara Community and CSU’s member asked if student score B or C division in undergraduate, will it be illegible to get into Central or State run colleges or universities. Mr. Bik said one must get at least 50% in UG.

Secondly, Miss Rozalinn Zahau, who is BA (H) English graduate from DU and presently doing LL.B in Delhi University had shared the topic under “Experience in DU and Scope for Future”. She shared the first day of her college in North Campus where most of them came from public schools unlike to her. The students were very well learned at their school and where she was disappointed. She changed her stream into English from Science in September as she love reading and more comfortable.She encourages participants to focus on what we want to do and love to do. She also shared the financial problem during her college life and mentioned that one should not be constrained by financial. She encourages challenging the financial matters. She also mentioned that how she struggle during her studies and worked as part time. She also encourages not disappointing when your purpose is not fulfilled. She also emphasized on the changes in Burma comparative to education system as there are many doors opened for the scholarship to study abroad. She concludes by saying not to lose hope or what you are but you are much better than anything else. This is self-esteem.

Mr. Van Hmun Lian, a coordinator of Chin Human Rights Organization-New Delhi (CHRO), had presented the topic on Importance of Education. He, Mr. Lian, says according to article 26 of UDHR, Everyone has the right to education. Primary school should be free. We should be able to learn a career, or continue our studies as far as we wish. At school, we should be able to develop all our talents and be taught to respect human rights and to get on with others, whatever their race, religion or the country they come from. Our Parents have the right to choose what we will be taught at school.

United Nations Declaration on Minority Rights (Article 4.4): States should, where appropriate, take measures in the field of education, in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory. Persons belonging to minorities should have adequate opportunities to gain knowledge of the society as a whole.Mr. Lian also mentioned what Ban Ki Mon, UN Secretary General, had said “Education First”: "Education is hope and dignity”.  "Education is growth and empowerment. “Education is a basic     building block of every society and the pathway out of poverty." UNESCO: Education is key to human, social and economic development and promotes a sustainable world that promotes the culture of …..Learning to live together, He concludes by saying that Education only will make us (People of Burma) live happily together in Union of Myanmar (Burma).

In the end of the program, we received positive comments from the participants. All the trainees had actively joined each period, which give the trainers full satisfaction. In this way, the trainers and trainees were mutually benefited.

In the Second day, Seminar on Current Political Situation in Burma, Mr. Salai Sang Hnin Lian, president to Chin Students’ Union-Delhi, had presented around 45 minutes on An over View of Current Political Situation in Burma from 2010 -2012.

1. Mr. Salai Lian had mentioned the Bad and Good news of Burma from 2010-2012 like New Human Rights Commission,…BUT  it refused to investigate abuses in ethnic areas and New “Elected” Parliament, BUT it… * refused to dissolve 11 laws named by the UN as being against international standards brought in new laws that are repressive…
2. On conflict and displacement, according to TBBC: highest rate of new displacement in 10 years in eastern Burma (2010-2011)…. New war in Kachin state: 95,000 displaced (Jun 2011- September 2012). The war & atrocities continue and Sectarian violence in Arakan State: 104,000 displaced since June 2012.
3. On Political Prisoners and Civil liberty, He, Salai Lian, said that there is slow trickle of prisoner releases, but fresh arrests happening around 800 peoples, with details of 444 confirmed. (August 2012).But recently more than 500 political prisoners were released….Media restrictions continue and Religious freedom still curbed. There are new “progressive” laws J Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Bill had passed but-1. Must have permission 5 days in advance 2. Must provide details about slogans & speakers 3. Can’t protest at factories, schools, hospitals, embassies, government offices 4.  violators are subject to jail of up to one year

He also mentioned about April By-Elections, Burma’s Parliament as of April 2012, Comparison of Burma’s National Budget (2011-2012 / 2012-2013) and concludes by saying the ongoing peace process which according to President Thein Sein speech on UN GA 67: Cease-fire agreement with 10 armed grouped.

Mr. C Richard Ram Kyi (LL.B) took 105 minutes to present us Rule of Law as the second topic for second day of seminar. He gave a brief background of how the LAW begins in this world. He also explained the nature of Law referencing to natural law schools and positive law schools. He showed the Enforcement of Law with four basic organs which include Legislative Body, Binding Force, Law Enforcement Body and Subject People.

He made the comparisons of the 1947 constitution, the 1974 constitution and the 2008 constitution. He further discussed each of the topics (constitution of 1947, 1974, 2008 mentioned above) step by step. Finally he concluded his discussion with the present situation of Law in Burma. In his discussion he took some good examples which could help the concentration of the attendants.

Mr. Richard seemed too had been well prepared before he came for this presentation. His arrangement of the power point presentation was clear and easy to understand for the attendants. He satisfied all of us with his work hardness for the seminar.

As last topic for the Two-Day Seminar, Dr. Tint Shwe, former Member of Parliament 1990 from National League for Democracy brought us Current Political Situation: Burma 2012 in Your Role focusing on Democracy. He first of all shared us bit of his experience in the 1990 election, of which he later compared with the 2010 election, brief history background of Burma from the past century and the 20-year struggle of the activists.

He also discussed about the 2008 constitution which play important role for Changes of Burma. He then started presenting the structure of Burma Parliament.

He clearly showed us the total number of seats in the Parliament and the number and percentage of seats occupied by each party in the respective house (Upper House and Lower House). He continued his discussion by telling us the situation of outside the Parliament which he categorized Media, 88-Generation Group, Civil Societies, NGOs and INGOs. He discussed on Changes in the last two years; prisoners release, Aung Sang Suu Kyi and Presidents meeting, By Election, Freedom of Media, Removal of Sanction. He concluded his presentation by pointing the views of People on the Current Political Situation in Burma which gives us Concerns, Distrusts and Uncertainties but hope.

 We have planned to continue with these kind of activities even though the project is completed. And also we have received many useful comments from the participants as well as others. Initially, we are looking the results and outcomes of the project. If we obtained positive response from participants, we will continue this sort of program frequently. We will try to find other source of funding so that we can continue the training with more people. Committing and investing our time and energy will help and leads betterment of a refugee’s life which is also essential for the betterment of our country. We had also organized Council and Admission Seminar for the new class 12 passed with self-funded in the month of May 2012.   By this way our work will keep going in the future.

Lastly, we would like to say thanks to Burma Centrer Prague and its team for the projects. We are highly appreciated for your charity works and we hope that you will cooperate with us in the future.