“These initiatives continue to underscore the UBC Myanmar Initiative’s role in advancing policy engagement and research on Myanmar while contributing to broader regional dialogues on economic and political security.”
In October 2024, Professors and Student Researchers from the UBC Myanmar Initiative at SPPGA visited Ottawa for engagements with Members of Parliament and policy practitioners as part of the Future of Myanmar Policy Series. The team conducted policy briefings to share key findings from their ongoing research project which explores potential post-conflict scenarios in Myanmar. This urgent and impactful work is being undertaken through a collaborative project in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and generously supported by the International Development Research Centre’s Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative.
The visiting delegation was led by Professor Kai Ostwald and included UBC graduate students Nay Yan Oo, Su Thet San, and Calvin San, as well as postdoctoral fellow Dr. Htet Thiha Zaw. During the visit, the team met with the Myanmar unit at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to present their research and discuss broader issues impacting Myanmar. Discussions included strategies for Canadian support for Myanmar, reinforcing the UBC Myanmar Initiative’s position as a leading hub for Myanmar-related expertise and insights in Canada.
The visit also featured a private briefing with the Parliamentary Friends of a Democratic Burma, a network of Canadian MPs focused on Myanmar. The briefing was attended by a majority of the group’s members, reflecting strong interest in the Initiative’s work and the situation in Myanmar. The MPs expressed enthusiasm for the findings and requested a follow-up meeting when the final report is officially released in January 2025. The Ottawa visit was a resounding success, establishing valuable connections and paving the way for enhanced collaboration between the UBC Myanmar Initiative and Canadian policymakers.
(L to R) Nay Yan Oo, Calvin San, Su Thet San, and Kai Ostwald at the Symposium on Strengthening Canada-ASEAN Economic Security and Resilience
Furthermore, Professor Ostwald and the UBC Myanmar Initiative team participated in the Symposium on Strengthening Canada-ASEAN Economic Security and Resilience, organized by the York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) under its Canada-ASEAN Initiatives program. Professor Ostwald contributed to a panel discussion, offering insights from business and academia on strategies to foster government and industry collaboration, improve supply chain integration, and advance e-commerce, digital services, and other emerging sectors.
Reflecting on the experience, Nay Yan Oo (Project Coordinator, Myanmar Initiative) stressed the significance of this visit in these words: “These initiatives continue to underscore the UBC Myanmar Initiative’s role in advancing policy engagement and research on Myanmar while contributing to broader regional dialogues on economic and political security.”
We are excited to see the future impacts of the Myanmar Initiative’s research and engagements!
Learn More about their work here.
