Activist Conference for a Free Burm

[maungt@xxxxxxxxxx]

INVITATION

ACTIVIST CONFERENCE FOR A FREE BURMA

Day 1
Saturday 18 July 1998
Burma Information Day

Day 2
Sunday  19 July 1998
Campaign Strategies towards 2000

Where:
RIDLEY COLLEGE
160 THE AVENUE, PARKVILLE
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

How to get Ridley College....
>From the city, take tram no.19 from Elizabeth Street. Ridley College
stop is num
ber 22 which located on Royal Parade. Walk down Walker Street (off Royal
Parade
on left) and turn right into The Avenue where the entrance for the
Conference is
located. Carparking available around  Royal Park.

10th Anniversary 1988 to 1998

August 1998 marks the tenth anniversary of the national pro- democracy
uprising
in Burma. Tens of thousands of students, monks and civilians  protested
in Burma
s cities, towns and villages in 1988 and brought about the collapse of
General
Ne Wins  dictatorship after 26 years.
Despite the continuation of military rule under the State Law and Order
Restoration
ion Council (SLORC), the last decade has witnessed an explosion of
activism for
democracy in Burma. The Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, has
spearheaded an int
ernational campaign which has mobilized the United Nations, created an
internet
 activist network including the use of the internet, and
successfully innitiate
ted boycotts of companies dealing with Burma. Awareness of the human
rights struggle
gle in and for Burma is greater than ever.

Our Plan
The purpose of the Activist Conference for a Free Burma is to bring
together a
range of activists, specialists and the public for two days of
discussion on th
e future of Burma and to develop effective strategies for campaigning,
lobbying,
awareness raising and networking for the next two years.
The first day will provide an insight into Burma related issues
including country
y reports, refugees, sanctions, campaigns, Australian policy and
international r
esponses. Day two brings together the combined energies of activist and
new-come
rs to Burma activism to consider the strengths and weaknesses of
existing campai
gns and to develop further strategies to meet new challenges.

Saturday 18th July 1998
Information Day
Morning Program:

9.00                    Registration.
9.30                    Welcome
9.45-10.15              Introduction -
                        10 years of Political Struggle

10.15-10.45             Burma as an International Concern
10.45 -11.00            Coffee Break

11.00-11.30             8.8.88 Struggle + International
                        Solidarity

11.30- 12.00            Regime Repression and Activism

12.00-12.30             Questions to the Panel - priorities for the
future

12.30-1.30              Lunch

Afternoon  Program

1.30-2.30               Section 1 Panel
                        Strategies for Political Struggle
                        (democracy, armed struggle, non-violence,
political
                parties, under ground movements, regime crack down etc.)

2.30-2.40PM             Break

2.40-3.40PM             Section 2 Panel
                        Struggle and Survival
                        (ethnic issues, border issues - Thai, India and
China
                borders, refugees, humanitarian strategies,Thai policy
        etc.)

3.40-4.00PM             Afternoon Tea
4.00- 5.00PM            Section 3 Panel

                    Australian Policy
                        (foreign affairs, immigration and refugees,
overseas aid
,                       trade)

Evening Party - Melbourne Burmese student community will hold a party
for nation
al guests, activists and students.

Sunday 19th July 1998
Burma Campaign Strategies towards 2000

Morning Session:

10.00-10.15AM           Recap and Program for Today

10.15-11.00AM           Activism in Australia

11.00 11.15AM           Coffee Break

11.15 -12 45PM  Workshops
                        Strengths and Weaknesses of
                        Existing Campaigns

12.45- 1.45PM           lunch
1.45- 2.15PM            Developing Aims and Objectives for Future Burma
                Campaigning

2.15-3.45PM             Workshops
                        Campaigns Strategies for the Future and Specific
Actions

3.45-4.30PM             Group Report Back

4.30-5.00PM             Conclusions and Wrap Up

All welcome to come and
- learn about the political struggle in Burma
- be a part of discussions and workshops
- meet other activists from around Australia
- strengthen the solidarity network
- learn about the political struggle in Burma
- be a part of discussions and workshops
- meet other activists from around Australia
- strengthen the solidarity network
- practice activist skills


Furhter info please contact.
10th anniversary conference working committee

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