Greeting form CSM!
Thank you very much for visiting our website.
Civil Society is that realm of organized social life that is voluntary, self generating, (largely) self supporting, autonomous from the state and bound by a legal order or a set of shared rules. In this context, citizens act collectively in a public sphere to express their interests, passions, and ideas, exchange information, achieve mutual goals, make demands on the state and hold state offices. Civil Society protects the rights of the various social, political, and economical organizations under democratic governments and helps to promote and encourage the formation of democratic institutions under authoritarian regimes.
There is abundant evidence in history and contemporary societies to support our belief that Civil Society and the vigorous associational skills it fosters are the bedrock of democracy. Civil Society in the western sense has no equivalent in the Burmese lexicon. Yet there was free and voluntary associational life in Myanmar both during the colonial period and again during the brief democratic interlude, albeit centered around religion and politics. Unfortunately, four decades of authoritarian rule has wiped out all vestiges of Civil Society as it existed in the Burmese society.
Regimentation and the pervasive use of a state-sponsored network of spies and informers undermined the trust and bonds of social fabric. It is our belief that promotion of the concept of Civil Society and development of associational skills among the citizenry is a sine qua non to successful democratization in Myanmar.
We believe that a strong civil society will give way to change an oligarchic system into a democratic one. Myanmar has a weak civil society and we believe that promoting civic organizations to form and practice their rights will help change the system smoothly without bloodshed.
Myanmar is now in transition to a democratic system but the old elements are still hanging onto political power. Transition from the long rooted oligarchy system to a democratic system will face many stumbling blocks. Myanmar is lacking in communication, from society to society and person to person, which has led to misunderstanding amongst individuals, war between ethnic minorities and Myanmarns and racial conflicts between Buddhists and Muslims.
We believe good communication will restore peace in the country and provide a chance to understand the real problem in order to solve it collectively. The door is now opening from the top and we need to push more to open it up for the grass root people who have had no opportunity for: information technology and higher education, vocational training schools after high school, and a quality health care system. This would enable fair competition on the business sector and most of all, would re-establish Rule of Law, which is still lacking today.
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Civil Society for Myanmar (CSM) was formed in New York City in 1997. CSM is headed by Htun Aung Gyaw. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Rangoon Arts and Science University, Myanmar. Htun Aung Gyaw was sentenced to life in 1975 for leading two demonstrations; “U Thant Uprising” in 1974 December and “June Strike” in 1975. He was released in 1980 under Amnesty Order. He joined the nationwide uprising in 1988 and formed the organization called “Freedom Fighters of Burma” (FFB). After military staged a second coup in September 18, 1988 he left his family and went to the Thai-Myanmar border. More than 10,000 students and activists arrived to the border and formed All Myanmar Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF). He was elected as the first Chairman of ABSDF on November 5th, 1988.
CSM (USA) Vice Chairman Soe Nyunt was the Vice Chairman of the “U Thant Uprising” and a dedicated supporter. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Rangoon Institute of Economics. He was sentenced to 9 years for leading the uprising. He came to the border and was elected as the Chairman of ABSDF’s Wankha camp.
We have two CSM branches; one is in Tokyo, Japan and the other is in Yangon, Myanmar. Our headquarter is in Ithaca, New York. We have seven board of directors, two from each branch and three from the headquarters.
Yangon Branch Chairman Ko Ko Lay and Vice Chairman Ye Myint Thein were former political prisoners and have a long history of commitment and dedication for democratic change.
Tokyo Branch Chairwoman Moe Thwe is a chemical engineer and has been a dedicated member of CSM.
From 1997 to the present, CSM helped refugees from Myanmar and gave educational and political ideas to the youth in Myanmar. Moreover, the overseas Burmese people living in the USA face their own problems owing to many factors such as cultural diversity, lack of language proficiency and lack of information. CSM gives community assistance in various ways such as residence application, educational assistance, employment counseling, and social problem solving. CSM will assist overseas Burmese to integrate into the countries granting their residency.
MISSION STATEMENT
CSM seeks to foster and promote the understanding of the concept of Civil Society and facilitate the enhancement of associational skills among overseas and inland Burmese communities.
CONCEPT TOWARDS OTHER BURMESE ORGANIZATIONS
CSM will help all Burmese pro-democracy groups in any way possible. Among the different pro-democracy groups, CSM will attempt to foster mutual understanding and unity. This will be accomplished by exploring common ground for cooperation and promoting family spirit and loving kindness for the foundation of a stable society.
OBJECTIVES
- To set up CSM as news and information distributor and educator
- To build a strong civil society by cooperating and coordinating among youth organizations and civic organizations.
- To pursue international support and create awareness about Myanmar’s internal conflicts
- To promote human rights issues and address to create awareness.
- To form a coalition force to establish rule of law and peace within the country
Under military rule, Civil Society has diminished in Myanmar. I strongly believe that a Civil Society is crucial not only for achieving democracy in Myanmar but also to maintain it.