Inya Institute Fall 2024 Newsletter by inyainstitute

The Inya Institute Quarterly Newsletter

The massive floods that have affected many parts of Myanmar first in July (as will be seen in this issue) and then last month have caused further misery to the civilian population and an everhigher number of internally displaced persons. Relief efforts have been on-going since late September. Both the State Administration Council (SAC) and the parallel government National Unity Government (NUG) have received supplies from various donors; however, it remains to be seen whether all the supplies will eventually reach the population in need. In this dire context, SAC’s information department extended an invitation to the NUG, ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), people defence forces (PDFs) to lay down arms and start peace talks. Yet, SAC fighter jets have accelarated their bombing of civilian infrastructures throughout the country. Equally outrageous was the start, early this month, of census operations, in anticipation of the general elections SAC plans to organize in 2025, in a country reeling from a major natural disaster. On a positive note, the mobilization of volunteers and various community groups in Yangon to collect relief funds has been tremendous and shows once again a widespread public benevolence.

At Inya, aligned with our objective to support educational opportunities, a partnership is be-

ing built with post-secondary community schools (PSCSs) operating in five of Myanmar’s ethnic states. At a time when the government’s higher education system is still boycotted by the majority and much uncertainty remains as to how the whole education system will fare in the medium and long term, the model offered by the PSCSs is a promising alternative that more communities in Myanmar will certainly turn to in the future for the education of their young adult members (even though accreditation remains unresolved). Despite the many challenges encountered daily in terms of technology, human resources, and pedagogy, all teams across five PSCSs deploy an energy and determination that are truly inspirational. Based on the findings of a needs assessment produced by two of our interns, Su Nay Chi Nwe and Khin Lai Lai Wai, this partnership seeks to support the training of teachers and applied curriculum development which will involve the participation from faculty from U.S. community colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs). As we move forward with our plan, we will give you updates about it in future issues of this newsletter!

The Inya Institute team in Yangon

Khin Pyae Sone

Address in Myanmar:

50 B-1 Thirimingala Street (2)

8th Ward

Kamayut Township Yangon, Myanmar

+95(0)17537884

Address in the U.S.: c/o Center for Burma Studies

101 Pottenger House

520 College View Court

Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL 60115 USA

+1 815-753-0512

Director of Publication:

Dr. François Tainturier

Administrative Assistant: Thin Thar

Digital Resources and Info Assistant: Shun Lai Pyae Sone

Education and Training Manager: Pyae Phyoe Myint

U.S. Liaison Officer: Carmin Berchiolly

Visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/inyainstitute.org

Library: It currently holds a little more than 830 titles and offers free access to scholarly works on Myanmar Studies published overseas that are not readily available in the country. It also has original works published on neighboring Southeast Asian countries and textbooks on various fields of social sciences and humanities. Optic fiber wifi connection is also provided without any charge.

Library digital catalog: Access here.

Working hours: 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri)

Digital archive: It features objects, manuscripts, books, paintings, and photographs identified, preserved, and digitized during research projects undertaken by the institute throughout Myanmar and its diverse states and regions. The collections featured here reflect the country’s religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity and the various time periods covered by the institute’s projects developed in collaboration with local partners.

Digital archive: Access here

The Inya Institute is a member center of the Council of American Research Centers (CAORC). It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI of the Higher Education Act (2024-2028).

Institutional Members

Center for Burma Studies

Northern Illinois University

Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Northern Illinois University

Academic Board

Maxime Boutry, Centre Asie du Sud-Est, Paris

Jane Ferguson, Australian National University

Lilian Handlin, Harvard University

Bod Hudson, Sydney University

Mathias Jenny, Chiang Mai University

Ni Ni Khet, University Paris 1-Sorbonne Alexey Kirichenko, Moscow State University

Christian Lammerts, Rutgers University

Mandy Sadan, University of Warwick

San San Hnin Tun, INALCO, Paris

Juliane Schober, Arizona State University

Nicola Tannebaum, Lehigh University (retd)

Alicia Turner, York University, Toronto

Center for Asian Research

Southeast Asia Program

Arizon State University Cornell University

Carolina Asia Center York Asia Center for Reseearch

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill York University

Board of Directors

President: Catherine Raymond (Northern Illinois University)(retd)

Treasurer: Alicia Turner (York University, Toronto)

Secretary: François Tainturier

Jane Ferguson (Australian National University)

Lilian Handlin (Harvard University)

Nicola Tannenbaum (Lehigh University)(retd)

Thamora Fishel (Cornell University)

Aurore Candier (Northern Illinois University)

U Thaw Kaung, Yangon Universities’ Central Library (retd)

Testimony

The Impact of the July Floods in Myitkyina Township

Naw Seng is a dedicated researcher with a background in community development, human rights and currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management studies at the University of Mataram, Indonesia. He has research experience as a Junior Researcher at Inya Institute, Regional Researcher at Cherry Myay Academy, and Assistant Researcher at the National University of the Union of Myanmar. Proficiency in multiple languages, he is committed to overcoming challenges and making a positive impact in his field.

Flooding in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, has caused widespread disruptions. The Ayeyar wadi River has risen by 1.35 meters since June 2024, causing flooding in many parts of the city (Crisis, 2024). C ommunities in low-lying areas have experienced flooding as a result of the Ayeyar wadi and Chindwin rivers quickly overflowing due to heavy rainfall that occurred during Myanmar’s monsoon season in Kachin and across the country (Janottama, 2024). The floods of the Ayeyarwadi River which affected half of the city Myitkyina in early July caused extensive damage to both public infrastructure and private buildings. Numerous parts of the city and its neighborhoods were flooded when the river overflowed due to the strong rainstorm. Numer-

ous roads were totally flooded, causing traffic problems and isolating neighborhoods. Flooding also impacted many clinics and hospitals, disrupting medical services and causing damage to healthcare infrastructure. Water and power utilities were particularly affected with power outages increasing as a result of flooded electrical stations and shortage of clean water as a result of disruptions in the water supply system.

Floods severely impacted private structures, forcing lots of families to relocate to high grounds in and around Myitkyina. The rapidly rising Ayeyarwadi River threatened the city residents in just six hours, prompting them to seek higher grounds at nearby monasteries (New Day Myanmar, 2024). Local businesses and small businesses

suffered losses, particularly in low-lying areas. Floods have disrupted families’ livelihoods, causing long-term financial stress. They have also disrupted the food supply chains, transportation, and mobility within the city, caused shortages of essential items. Flooded markets and shops have struggled to reopen. Outdoor activities have been limited due to flooding, and communication infrastructure has been damaged, leading to irregular or unreliable internet connection and mobile services for many weeks. While the city’s communication infrastructure is gradually being repaired, the breakdown of internet connections continues.

Floods in Myitkyina have also caused widespread displacement and possibly made the city a fertile ground for theft

Pic. 1: The Ayeyarwadi River seen from Myitkyina Night Street Market.

and crime Many displaced families have had to stay in temporary shelters or in the compounds of churches which are typically located on high grounds The floods have primarily affected vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), people along riverbanks, and slum dwellers. Riverbank residents, often situated in flood-prone areas, were forced to evacuate and some lost their houses as did slum dwellers, living in poorly constructed homes with no basic infrastructures.

Relief efforts have focused on vulnerable groups like IDPs, riverbank residents, and slum dwellers. Temporary shelters were established, emergency food supplies were distributed, and clean drinking water was provided by local community groups. But the provision of healthcare

services, supply of essential medicines, hygiene kits, and sanitation supplies has been more limited. Clothing, blankets, and other necessities such as foods, for example rice, oil and etc. were provided to those who lost their possessions through the community-initiated group of people. Local and regional government agencies coordinated evacuation efforts, while international organizations like the Myitkyina Red Cross Association and local NGOs played a crucial role and community groups also provided on-theground support. Flash floods in Kachin state affected over an estimated 29,000 people according to UNFPA which, with local partners, provided emergency support, mobile clinics, and dignity kits to women in Myitkyina and Waing Maw Townships, (UNFPA, 2024).

The recent floods in Myitkyina have significantly impacted the ongoing conflict between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the State Administration Council (SAC). The floods have disrupted military operations, affecting the movement of troops, supplies, and equipment. It is very likely that the Northern Military Command which is headquartered in Myitktyina faced difficulties in deploying forces and maintaining supply lines as flooded areas were really close to the Northern Military Station Compound. The July floods could also change the strategic landscape by creating new physcal obstacles, potentially impacting the planning of future military operations.

The floods severely impacted many in the local busines, agricultural, and livestock sectors. For farmers, the destruction

Pic. 2: Munhkrain Road on the way to Myitkyina Downtown, at Sitapur, Myitkyina.

Pic. 3: Bala Min Htin Bridge, Sitapur, Myitkyina.

of crops and loss of livestock could have lasting effects on agricultural productivity and food security in the region. Businesses that were flooded could struggle to recover, leading to potential job losses and a slowdown in the local economy. The economic hardship resulting from the floods could push some people into poverty, especially those who were already vulnerable.

Historically, massive floods occurred in 1979, 1997, and 2014 the water level rising, in average, at a rate of about eight centimeters per hour (The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Information, 2024). Like these previous ones, the July floods may eventually push some residents to leave Myitkyina in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Those who lost their homes, businesses,

References

or livelihoods might consider migrating to other parts of the city and country or even abroad to rebuild their lives. The trauma of losing homes, possessions, and loved ones during the floods could have lasting psychological effects on the affected population. Additionally, the displacement of families and the disruption of social networks might lead to a breakdown of local community’s social cohesion.

The city need to prioritize the construction of resilient infrastructures and implement better flood management systems. But these changes may take time and require significant investment. Environmental changes, such as soil destruction and river patterns, could have long-lasting effects on agriculture, water quality, and natural habitats.

Janottama, S. (2024, July 4). FLASH UPDATE: No. 01 – Flooing in Kachin and Sagaing, Myanmar – 04 July 2024 - AHA Centre. AHA Centre. https://ahacentre.org/flashupdate/flash-update-no-01-flooding-in-kachin-andsagaing-myanmar-04-july

Emergency Response by UNFPA and Partners Restores Dignity and Hope for Affected Communities in Kachin amid the Devastating Floods. (n.d.). UNFPA- Myanmar. https://myanmar.unfpa.org/en/news/emergencyresponse-unfpa-and-partners-restores-dignity-andhope-affected-communities-kachin

The floods in Myitkyina Township have had a shocking impact on the community, affecting infrastructure, livelihoods, and the daily lives of residents. As the city works to recover from this disaster, it is essential to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable populations and implement measures to build resilience against future flooding. The relationship between humanitarian efforts and local conflict dynamics will be crucial in shaping the future of Myitkyina city. The resilience and solidarity demonstrated by the community in the face of adversity offers some hope as the whole city is navigating the path to recovery and attempting to build a more secure and sustainable future.

New Day Mayanmar. (2024, July 1). Rising Water Levels in My itkyina: City at Risk of Flooding. New Day Myanmar. https://newdaymyanmar.com/rising-water-levels-inmyitkyina-city-at-risk-of-flooding/

Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd. (2024, July 2). Severe flooding in Myitkyina township, Kachin State: Urgent situation and challenges. Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd. https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/severe-floodingin-myitkyina-township-kachin-state-urgent-situationand-challenges

Overseas Journey

Voices and Visas: A Global South Researcher’s Journey Through Global Gateways

Khin Pyae Sone recently graduated with a master’s degree in social sciences from Chiang Mai University. Alongside her studies, she worked as a research consultant with GRET and the Inya Institute. Her research focuses on land tenure and related areas such as customary tenure, resource extraction, livelihoods, and informal settlements, particularly in connection with marginalized communities. She has conducted various research studies across Myanmar, including in Chin, Naga, Sagaing, Mandalay, Yangon, Ayeyarwady, and Tanintharyi regions. Khin Pyae Sone also contributes to education as an instructor in the Special MOOC Program at Parami University, where she introduces students to liberal arts and social sciences. She has contributed to research reports in the “Of Lives and Land Myanmar” series, published by GRET.

I’m excited to share the story of my small yet meaningful journey through various academic settings in the U.S.—a privilege that, unfortunately, not many Myanmar students can enjoy given the present political instability.

Through our social network, we came across the announcement made by the Association of Asian Studies (AAS) about a panel on “Rising Voices in Southeast Asian Studies” which was to be organized in Seattle in March 2024. Naturally, this call for paper proposals immediately piqued my interest. Consequently, I checked out with various colleagues and discussed the possible ways to present a paper which would build on data collected through projects I was involved in in the past while also offering new insights drawn from the current political situation.

One of them was the British Academy-funded research project “Framing Heritage as a Tool to Prevent Spatial Violence” led by a Development Planning Unit (DPU) team at University College London with the collaboration of three Myanmar-based organizations, including the Inya Institute. As a member of the

Inya team, I knew well that, in the wake of the coup, this project was reframed beyond what was initially planned. It became, in part, a documentation of the unique and harrowing experiences of the residents of Hlaing Thar Yar during these turbulent times, including many women interviewed during field trips. Unfortunately, due to security concerns, we were not able to widely share our findings upon completing the project. Somehow, I felt a responsibility to ensure that the voices we had captured during the project and, later on, during some field work I had conducted separately, would be still heard. Participating in the AAS panel would offer me a great opportunity to do so.

Few months after I had submitted my application, I was selected to participate in the “Rising Voices” panel. However, then came the adventure of applying for a U.S. visit visa. I tried to secure a visa in Thailand, but to my shock, my application was denied—not for lack of information, but because the visa officer made a decision without giving me the chance to present additional documents or explain my situation.

I found myself thinking, “Come on—everyone shouldn’t be painted with the same brush just because they’re from a particular country.” Then I learnt that I wasn’t the only one facing this issue. Other students also had their visas rejected based on the underlying reason of “Your country’s current situation.” This doesn’t only happen to Myanmar applicants; other visa applicants from the Global South, particularly those from countries affected by war, face similar obstacles. This institutionalized discrimination is deeply troubling, especially given the significant amount of the visa fee of $185—a heavy burden for people from the Global South. Certainly, I understand there are concerns about people overstaying their visas or seeking pathways to citizenship, but that doesn’t justify a blanket approach for all visa applicants.

Probably the earlier challenges I had faced and, perhaps, the coup made me feel older but, also, even more determined. Therefore, I jumped to another opportunity offered to Myanmar researchers and decided to apply for the Yale Council on Southeast Asia Studies (Yale CSEAS) Myanmar Mentorship Program: Publication Workshop. Upon receiving the good news of my selection and despite seeing my first visa application denied, I considered giving another try as I had now two different academic events in the U.S.! With the support from the Yale CSEAS Myanmar team and the Inya Institute, I was able to fly to Singapore for the visa interview and eventually had my visa approved by the U.S. Consulate in Singapore.

Thanks to generous support from the Burma Studies Group and Inya, my trip to the U.S. began under the best possible circumstances. Attending the AAS conference in Seattle was an exhilarating mix of excitement and awe—it was my first time at such a large in-person event, and the city was vibrant and full of energy. Although I may not remember everyone I met (and they might not remember me too!), the experience was truly unforgettable.

The panel I presented on, along with other students from the Global South, was titled “Urban Inequality and Rights to the City in Southeast Asia.” explored a variety of themes related to urban inequality and the right to the city through four distinct case studies. These ranged from evictions on the outskirts of Yangon after the military coup, to smellscapes in Bangkok’s central neighborhoods, labor and militarization in post-war Manila’s waterworks infrastructure, and the more-than-human ecologies linked to land reclamation in Ha Long, Vietnam. The discussions were as insightful as they were diverse, offering new perspectives on the intersection of politics, urbanization, and social justice in Southeast Asia.

Between academic sessions, I found time to soak in new experiences, including the dire reality of homelessness in the centers of American cities. Once the AAS conference ended, I had the most enjoyable train journey leaving Seattle for California. It was my first-time seeing snow, although I didn’t have the chance to touch it, and the beauty of the scenery made the trip unforgettable. Once in Sacramento, I was hosted by the owner of a sushi bar and her family: this gave me a unique perspective on the lives of diaspora communities. I was struck by the resilience of those who left Myanmar in search of security and stability. This was a deeply enriching experience, both intellectually and personally, and it provided a much-needed break from the mental demands of research. As I navigated through these diverse experiences, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to my academic work, all while enjoying new connections and memories made along the way.

Additionally, I encountered people from Myanmar who had left their professional jobs in Singapore and were trying to become U.S. citizens as they believed that relocating there would offer them more security in their old age if they paid

Pic. 2: Strolling along Yale’s tree-lined sidewalks, where history and academia intertwine.

Pic. 3: A perfect space to get lost in work, New York Public Library.

Pic. 4: Evenings

taxes officially and regularly. It was clear that the trauma they experienced back home had a profound impact, and seeing how they were treated by a Myanmar-born sushi owner who had lived in the U.S. for over two decades was eye-opening. While I honestly enjoyed the physical work, which felt like a refreshing break from the mental demands of research—even though it was tiring at first—I didn’t appreciate the bubble-like existence there.

And then there was Yale—what an experience! My first day started off with a bit of a stumble (literally)—I tripped on my way to the university; and to make it more memorable, this happened on my birthday. Fortunately, two very kind ladies rushed over to help me up, checking if I was okay and asking if I needed to go to the hospital. The first thing I blurted out was, “I have no insurance!” But they were incredibly kind, bringing towels and ice packs, and they stayed with me until my organizer and friend arrived. Thankfully, my organizer arranged for me to be checked at Yale University’s hospital, and it turned out to be just a bloody scrape on my lip and knee.

Apart from that little mishap, the experience was incredible. The organizers, particularly Courtney Wittekind, truly went above and beyond all our expectations to ensure that all of us benefited from the workshop. We all had the chance to present our papers individually, followed by detailed discussions with professors on how to improve our work. On a personal level, I also had the privilege of participating in four one-on-one mentorship sessions with Prof. Erik Harms as part of the preconference before coming to Yale.

Beside the workshop sessions, the opportunity to sit down with the late James C. Scott was memorable. My anarchist ideas have been greatly influenced by his scholarship. We were a group of students from diverse academic backgrounds, all eager to hear his thoughts on Burma and the current situation, and he was just as keen to listen to us. My stay at Yale is now filled with unforgettable memories, including that of Otto the

dog, who, for me as a dog lover, was an absolute delight.

During my time on the East Coast, I rented a small place for a few days from a kind Burmese migrant. I also took some time to visit New York—what a whirlwind—while collecting useful items, including donation cash, especially medicine for skin irritation and diarrhea and vitamins, to bring back to an internally displaced camp on the Thai-Myanmar border! Of course, I made sure to check out the New York Public Library and even got some deskwork done in there. Navigating the public transportation system—whether by train or metro—felt like quite an accomplishment. While renting a small room in the city, I continued to prepare for my MA degree defense at Chiang Mai University’s Regional Center for Social and Sustainable Development (RCSD) which happened online. I also took on some freelance research work during my time in the U.S. One funny thing—I felt like a character in an American movie whenever I paid in cash at the counter. It was surreal! On a final note, I didn’t take any photos during the two academic events because I knew I’d be heading back to Myanmar, so I focused on capturing the scenery instead. Since photos weren’t allowed during the closed Yale workshops, those moments will have to stay in my memory. My initial fears of being checked at the airport for any suspicious files proved wrong in my case as I went through customs at Yangon airport without screening! As I write this piece, I realize that even though I managed to take and securely keep photos during my field trip to Northern Sagaing—a war zone for the past three years—I could have been screened by different authorities along the way (both coup government related forces and resistance groups); but, fortunately, it didn’t happen and I could bring home those images safely. In the end, however, what matters most are memories. But I do feel a little pang of regret that I don’t have any academic-related pictures to share. Indeed, just a few more snapshots of those moments would have been nice!

on the hillside after long sushi shifts, golden hour turned every walk into a quiet escape, California State.

Current Opportunities at Inya

Application Contents

The application to be completed in the CAORC Survey Monkey Application Portal (orcfellowships.smapply.org) requires the following items:

• Information about the Applicant: first name, last name, mailing address, email address, phone number, citizenship, major field of study, department, date and year the PhD degree was obtained, university where it was obtained, current occupation, dates (if any) of previous research in Myanmar, length of award requested, tentative dates of project;

• A Curriculum Vitae;

• Description of the proposed study with the following sections:

1. Project title

2. Project abstract (max. 100 words)

3. Approach and research methodology (max. 500 words)

4. Significance of the project (max. 500 words)

5. Work done to date (max. 300 words)

6. Work to be accomplished during the fellowship period (max. 500 words)

7. Third Country selected and list of places where research work will be conducted (max. 300 words)

8. Budget narrative describing how the award will be expended

• Project Bibliography

• One Reference Letter

The program is funded by CAORC through a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. State Department.

The Inya Institute announces the 2025 CAORC-INYA Scholars Fellowship competition for research that will contribute to studies on Myanmar in any aspect of its wide linguistic, cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity and to a better understanding of the country’s past or present political and socio-economic situation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who have obtained their PhD degree in the last 10 years (at the time of submitting application).

The 2025 CAORC-INYA Fellows will have until September 30, 2025, to complete their field work

Information about the fellowship competition

• Research must contribute to studies on Myanmar in any aspect of its wide linguistic, cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity and to a better understanding of the country’s past or present political and socio-economic situation. Any field of research will be considered, including the arts, humanities, social sciences, economics, political sciences, law, environment studies, and public health;

• Field research in a Third Country must be for a minimum of two months and a maximum of four months;

• Joint research projects are not eligible for this competition. Only individual research projects will be considered;

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens. U.S. permanent residents are not eligible for this competition;

• Students enrolled at Minority Serving Institutions are especially encouraged to apply.

Fellowship Benefits

• Award from $3,200 to $4,200 for a maximum of 4 months;

• A transportation stipend of up to $1,400 for the round trip airfare from the U.S. to Third Country and in-country travel expenses

Terms and Conditions

• Fellows must submit a one-page Final Report to the Inya Institute within a month completing their fellowship;

• During the tenure of their fellowship, fellows must present their research project through an online presentation and write a short blog which will be featured in this newsletter;

• Fellows are responsible for obtaining the appropriate research permission and visas;

• Air Travel from the U.S. must meet the conditions of the Fly America Act.

Deadline, Selection, and Notification Applications must be sent by November 10, 2024 (11:59 PM EST).

Awards will be announced by December 6, 2024.

Current Opportunities at Inya

Application Contents

The application to be completed in the CAORC Survey Monkey Application Portal (https://orcfellowships.smapply.org) requires the following items:

• Information about the Applicant: first name, last name, mailing address, email address, phone number, citizenship, major field of study, department, institutional affiliation, dates (if any) of previous research in Myanmar, length of award requested, tentative dates of project;

• A Curriculum Vitae;

• Description of the proposed study with the following sections:

1. Project title

2. Project abstract (max. 100 words)

3. Approach and research methodology (max. 500 words)

4. Significance of the project (max. 500 words)

5. Work done to date (max. 300 words)

6. Work to be accomplished during the fellowship period (max. 500 words)

7. Budget narrative describing how the award will be expended

8. Name of the Third Country where research on Myanmar will be conducted

9. List of places that will be visited in Third Country

• Project Bibliography

• One Reference Letter

The Inya Institute is now opening the call for the 2025 CAORC-INYA Short Term Fellowships competition for research that will contribute to studies on Myanmar in any aspect of its wide linguistic, cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity and to a better understanding of the country’s past or present political and socio-economic situation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens currently enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s or Doctoral level) at an institution of higher education in the U.S. or elsewhere.

The 2025 CAORC-INYA Scholars will have until September 30, 2025, to complete their research work.

Information about the fellowship competition

• Research must take place in a third country outside of the U.S. and Myanmar (due to the current closure of Myanmar’s international borders); For example, it may be conducted at the British Library and other U.K. libraries, or among Myanmar communities living in India, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, etc…

• Joint research projects are not eligible for this competition. Only individual research projects will be considered;

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens. U.S. permanent residents are not eligible for this competition.

Fellowship Benefits

• Award from $4,000-$4,400 for a maximum of 3 months;

• A transportation stipend of up to $1,900 for the round trip airfare from the U.S. to a third country and in-country transportation expenses.

Terms and Conditions

• Fellows must submit a one-page Final Report to the Inya Institute within a month completing their fellowship.

• During the tenure of their fellowship, fellows must present their research project through a virtual presentation and write a piece of writing which will be published in the institute’s quarterly newsletter.

• Fellows are responsible for obtaining the appropriate research permission and visas.

• Air Travel from the U.S. must meet the conditions of the Fly America Act.

Deadline, Selection, and Notification Applications must be sent by November 10, 2024 (11:59 PM EST)

Awards will be announced by December 6, 2024.

Recent Activity at Inya

2024 Languages of Myanmar course series

In its third iteration, our 2024 Languages of Myanmar course series, which offers foundational skills in Kachin, Karen, and Shan languages was held from June 17 to July 23, 2024. This 2024 course series was again very well attended with the 27 participants joining from Myanmar, Thailand, Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. The Karen language course again drew the largest number of participants with three international participants and nine Myanmar participants; the Shan course had one international participant and eleven Myanmar participants; while the Kachin course had one international participant and two Myanmar participants.

Participants’ feedback emphasized the intensive nature of the course. The course is only three-week long with one and half hour of language teaching per day and a significant amount of homework. Language teachers, however, emphasized during the course that, while homework is an important component of the course, completing the entirety of all the course work, though desirable, is not compulsory.

Participants’ feedback also included information about how some of the course participants will use their newly gained language skills. Aung, a research associate at the University of Cologne, Germany, had this to say about his plan:

“My Shan language skills will help me carry out my linguistic fieldwork more effectively around Aungban,

Annual Membership

Heho and Taunggyi. In the future, I hope to carry out research with Shan language communities in these areas. On a personal level, I am happy to have had the opportunity to learn another Myanmar language.”

Terese, a post-doctoral fellow at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, mentioned the following:

“The skills gained will help me in carrying out my engaged research as well as volunteer work with Karen communities in both Thailand and the U.S.”

Ler, a Karen-American undergraduate based in Raleigh (U.S.), pointed out that the skills gained will allow her to communicate well with Karen-speaking individuals, and allow her to hone her literary skills in regard to reading and writing.

While our beginners’ level course will remain on offer for the 2025 language course series, we are now looking forward to developing an advanced beginners’ level for all three languages in collaboration with colleagues in the U.S. This will be supported by funding from our recently awarded AORCTitle VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education. More information about in future issues of the newsletter!

Membership of the Inya Institute is now available for Institutions as well as Individuals!

Despite Myanmar’s current multidimensional crisis, the Inya Institute continues to operate in Yangon providing educational and training opportunities to Myanmar students, supporting scholarship by Myanmar and International researchers in Myanmar and in third countries, and offering language learning opportunities for those interested in Myanmar’s linguistic diversity. It is also one of the few libraries currently open to the public in Yangon. Interconnectedness between Myanmar, the U.S., the Myanmar diaspora in the U.S. and elsewhere is more important than ever and the institute is keen to support this value as shown by its activities listed above. You can be part of this so please consider becoming a member of the Inya Institute!

I NSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Any recognized academic or educational institution in the United States or Canada may become an Institutional Member of the institute. If a representative of an institutional member chooses to send a delegate to serve on the board of directors, he/she has an opportunity to shape the institute’s programs and activities.

Other benefits include: (1) Recognition of institutional member status in the institute’s quarterly newsletter; (2) Publishing of members’ scholarly events in the institute’s quarterly newsletter; (3) Invitation to join online events, including conferences and webinars, organized by the institute.

Annual institutional membership dues are $400.

I NDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

Anyone may become an Individual Member of the institute, upon application and acceptance by the institute.

Benefits: (1) Inclusion in the institute’s listserv of those institutions and individuals receiving the quarterly’s newsletter; (2) Invitation to join online events, including conferences or webinars, organized by the institute; (3) Reduced fees for the language learning opportunities developed by the institute.

Annual individual membership dues are $25.

Coming Soon!

In our Fall 2023 newsletter, Jeff Allen, Southeast Asia Program Director, World Monuments Fund, offered us an overview of a preservation programme focusing on the documentation of traditional farmhouses.

In the coming weeks, part of the database will be available to the public through a Facebook page. The Inya Institute is collaborating on this initiative. The page will pay tribute to the diversity of architectural traditions that have shaped farmhouses in various parts of the country. These wooden structures represent an important legacy of diverse communities that make up Myanmar.

On-going events across the country have led to the destruction of many wooden buildings, putting the survival of this legacy at risk. Even before these events, some owners of old homes and farmhouses had lost their appreciation for their own home and expressed their desire to live in new homes built with today’s construction materials and equipped with modern amenities.

In this context, documenting old farmhouses across the country is of public interest for the following two reasons. First, it helps today’s professionals and craftspeople keep alive architectural and technical references that are related to their homeplace and use these references as an inspiration. They may use this documentation as a template for their own work. In doing so, they perpetuate some of these architectural traditions.

Second, documenting old farmhouses and sharing the architectural records of these structures will help anyone in the future picture how old built structures looked like in the past even if they are no longer standing. Maintaining these

structures comes at a high cost that few families living in these old homes can afford. Therefore, it should not be surprising that some of these old homes are eventually dismantled or destroyed.

The page will seek to raise public awareness of the importance of this legacy. It does so by:

1- sharing architectural records documenting old farmhouses located in various regions of Myanmar.

2- featuring videos of the old farmhouses for which documentation was undertaken.

3- highlighting the distinctive features of these structures, whether they are related to the structures’ carpentry, ornamentation, or spatial arrangement.

4- keeping tracks of the technical vocabulary specific to the building craft.

5- sharing tips on the successive steps needed for the documentation of these old farmhouses.

6- offering examples of successful conservation of old homes by dismantling their parts and rebuilding at a different location.

7- organizing talks with documentation teams and the larger public.

Due to ongoing events across the country, the general public has little room to be concerned about these issues. Despite this, we have received calls from various people alerting to the fate of structures under threat and expressing interest in knowing how to mitigate the risk of their disappearance. This page will hopefully offer some answers.

Pic. 1: 3D-rendering of a long house inhabited by Ann people in the valley of Kentung; Credits to Patcharapong Kulkanchanachewin

Upcoming Events across the U.S. and beyond

October Events

1. Myanmar’s Humanitarian Needs and Challenges in 2024

Location: Online Via Zoom

Date: Oct. 14, 3-4:30 PM (Singapore Time)

Speakers: Su Mon Thazin Aung and Surachanee Sriyai

ISEAS Myanmar Studies Programme invites two expert researchers to discuss Myanmar’s humanitarian needs and challenges, including the challenges of addressing those needs, in the post-2021 coup environment. The complex realities of Myanmar’s ongoing conflict require conversations on multiple-track humanitarian assistance approaches, and the need to consider the longer-term impact of current responses.

More info here

Zoom Registration here

2. Matter and Memory: The Formation and Reformation of Pagoda Trusts in Burma

Location: Room 857, Eighth Floor, Kaneff Tower, Keele Campus, York

University

Date: Oct. 23, 9:00-11:00 AM (ET)

Speaker: Peter Alexander

Under British colonial rule in the late 19th century, Buddhists in colonial Burma began establishing Pagoda Trusts to protect and care for the country’s Buddhist monuments. This paper explores the circumstances in which the pagoda trust system first took shape by focusing on the exemplary and influential Shwedagon Pagoda Trust. Material support for pagodas in Burma comes from Buddhist practices of dāna or ritual donation, which are a key pillar of moral authority and a major part of the religious life of laypeople. This paper argues that the need for lay Buddhists to find new ways to manage the material support for religious institutions under colonial rule created opportunities for them to experiment with new modes of organization and affiliation, as well as new sources of moral authority.

More info here.

Zoom Registration here.

3. Coups and Crises in Myanmar and Thailand: Implications for Southeast Asia/ASEAN and Beyond

Location: The London School of Economics and Political Science

Date: Oct. 30, 12 -1:15 PM (U.K. Time)

Speaker: Thitinan Pongsudhirak

Myanmar’s military takeover in February 2021 and Thailand’s last two coups in September 2006 and May 2014 have dramatically undermined democratisation in both countries, significantly accounting for the democratic “rollback” around the world. As a first in Southeast Asia, Myanmar’s coup succeeded in its execution but is failing in its implementation and consolidation. The ensuing civil war there – what local anti-coup insurgents deem a ‘revolution’ – is tipping in favour of a resistance coalition comprising the inchoate civilian-led National Unity Government, Ethnic Armed Organisations and ubiquitous squads of People’s Defence Force. While Thailand’s twin coups ended up with new constitutions and general elections, conservative forces have held sway. Thailand has entered an unmistakeable endgame that pivots around the military’s and monarchy’s roles in a contested constitutional order with rising disenchantments and demands from below for reform and modernisation. This seminar will aim to tease out issues and implications from what’s happening in both Myanmar and Thailand for Asean and the Southeast Asia neighbourhood on the dynamic spectrum between autocracy and democracy in view of the geostrategic conflict between the United States and China.

More info here

November Events

1. Real Farmers, Dream Cities: Agrarian Change, Demonstration, and the Politics of Visibility in Myanmar

Location: Room 110 Weiser Hall, Purdue University

Date: Nov. 8, 12:00-1:00 PM (U.S. ET)

Speaker: Courtney Wittekind

This presentation examines a series of demonstrations held in the southwestern outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, the site of a 20,000-acre proposal to transform the region’s farmland into a built-fromscratch “new city.” Slogans and speech-

es—both in support of and in opposition to the new city—fixed demonstrators’ demands in the status of the region’s “real farmer” (lay-thama sit-sit), a figure both hyper-visible and simultaneously obscured in the popular protest movements of Myanmar and Southeast Asian history. Tracing contested claims about Southwest Yangon’s farmers circulating in the popular press and in state propaganda, this presentation explores the political and pragmatic tactics of futuremaking amid authoritarian resurgence, rapid urbanization, and the pressures of a changing climate. At stake is a broader politics of visibility, wherein the boundary between the seen and unseen becomes a site through which what is “real” in contemporary Myanmar is questioned. More info here

Zoom Registration here.

2. Crimes in Archival Form: Human Rights, Fact Production, and Myanmar

Location: Research Commons (E101), 1st Floor, East Building, CSEAS Kyoto University

Date: Nov. 19, 4:00-5:30 PM (Japan Time) Speaker: Ken MacLean Crimes in Archival Form explores the many ways in which human rights “facts” are produced rather than found. Using Myanmar as his case study, Ken MacLean examines the fact-finding practices of a human rights group, two cross-border humanitarian agencies, an international law clinic, and a global NGO-led campaign. Foregrounding fact-finding, in critical yet constructive ways, prompts long overdue conversations about the possibilities and limits of human rights documentation as a mode of truth-seeking. Such conversations are particularly urgent in an era when the perpetrators of large-scale human rights violations exploit misinformation, weaponize disinformation, and employ outright falsehoods, including deepfakes, to undermine the credibility of those who document abuses and demand accountability in the court of public opinion and in courts of law. MacLean compels practitioners and scholars alike to be more transparent about how human rights “fact” production works, why it is important, and when its use should prompt concern.

More info here

New Books On Myanmar

Education in Post-Coup Myanmar A Shattered Landscape with Resilient Actors

Nicolas Salem-Gervais, Summer Aung, and Amber Spreelung with the participation of Ja Seng, Phyo Wai, Myo Sett Paing, and Pau Sian Lian IRASEC, 2024

The realm of education has been at the heart of great political and cultural battles throughout the country’s history, playing decisive roles to legitimize and to oppose colonial and independent governments, including repressive military regimes.

Mobilizing a wide historical and geographical perspective and using a simple transversal lens of quantity, quality, and identity, this book aims to document and make sense of these dramatic and fast-evolving developments, towards a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges concerning education under and beyond the current military regime. Open access here

The Politics of Federalization in Myanmar

Dulyapak Preecharush Routledge, 2024

This book examines the trajectory of federalization in Myanmar’s political development, evaluating the attitudes of

different political actors toward, and negotiation strategies for, designing federalism. It argues that three factors drive federalization in Myanmar, namely consti tutionalization, conflict management, and democratization. The confluence of these forces arrived at a critical juncture in 2011, the start of Myanmar’s political transition, leading to significant changes in Myanmar’s federation process. By analyzing the changes and continuities in federalism building, the book charts the dynamic pathway toward Myanmar’s current federalization, revealing how periods of progress and stagnation reflect varying world views and the individual strategies of prominent political actors.

Myanmar’s Resistance and the Future of Border Trade: Challenges and Opportunities

Jared Bissinger

ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, 2024 Since the start of Operation 1027, Myanmar’s resistance groups have gained control over large parts of key overland trade routes and a number of important border crossings, fundamentally changing the realities in the control of border trade.

If Myanmar’s resistance hopes to transform trade from a revenue source to a meaningful strength, their prospects are best if they collaborate and develop a status-neutral plan (e.g., not requiring diplomatic recognition nor denying recognition to the SAC) for trading arrangements with neighbors, and enhance dialogue with them about this plan.

Return of the Junta: Why Myanmar’s Military Must Go Back to the Barracks

Oliver Slow, Paul French (Editor) Bloomsbury Academic, 2023

Return of the Junta is a detailed account of the ways that Myanmar’s military - the Tamatdaw - has maintained control over its people despite a decade of supposed reform. In this detailed account, drawing on first-hand accounts from activists, jouralists and politicians, Oliver Slow explores the measures the military has used to keep hold of power and the motivations of those now rising up against its rule. The book asks the question: what needs to be done to remove the military from power in Myanmar once and for all?