While Burma continues its “opening to the West,” domestic Burmese society is becomingly increasingly closed and intolerant toward many of its ethnic minorities. This is notably the case for the Rohingya who remain stateless—denied Burmese citizenship—and face discrimination and backlash. Despite these challenges, many community members and advocates are organizing to effect meaningful and inclusive reform in Burmese laws and society.
As part of the global tour of the photography exhibition Exiled to Nowhere: Burma’s Rohingya by photographer Greg Constantine, please join Open Society for a special discussion on the historical and contemporary challenges in Burma regarding intolerance and discrimination.
Speakers
- Greg Constantine is a documentary photographer. His project on global statelessness has been exhibited in over 20 countries since 2006 and two books have been published, with a third being published in summer 2015. He is an Open Society grantee and Moving Walls photographer.
- Susan Hayward is interim director of religion and peacebuilding at the Center for Governance, Law, and Society at the United States Institute of Peace.
- Myra Dahgaypaw is a Karen human rights activist and policy advisor for the U.S. Campaign for Burma.
- Geoffrey Aung is a PHD candidate at Columbia University. His research efforts focus on emergent formations of power amid Burma’s transition to liberal-democratic political and economic governance in recent years.