Socio-Economic Impacts of the 2021 Coup in Myanmar
MYANMAR STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR
About the Webinar
Fourteen months after the military seized power in February 2021, Myanmar’s people and economy continue to suffer from the impact of the coup. Multiple insecurities arising from escalating conflict and new waves of Covid-19 cases affect communities across the country. The World Bank’s Myanmar Economic Monitor released in January 2022 highlights “an extremely worrying” scenario” from both humanitarian (including health) and economic aspects, noting that the Myanmar economy is “critically weak”, having contracted about 30 per cent.
The socio-economic impacts of the 2021 coup are becoming more visible in 2022, affecting social cohesion and mobility(migration), and the country’s climate and disaster vulnerability, with related governance issues for the economy and business.
Three experts will discuss what might be some implications of these unfolding socio-economic impacts and changes in Myanmar, including the political economy, and business and environmental consequences of political and economic changes after February 2021, how communities are coping with the combined impact of the coup and Covid-19, new patterns of internal and overseas migration and social cohesion in moving forward aspirations for federalism and democracy.
About the Speakers
Vicky Bowman has been the Director of Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) since July 2013. Prior to that, she led global mining company Rio Tinto’s policy approach to transparency, human rights, and resource nationalism issues. Vicky has served as the UK Ambassador to Myanmar (2002-06) and as Second Secretary (1990-93). She has also worked in Brussels as Member of Cabinet of European Commissioner Chris Patten and as press spokeswoman for the UK representation to the European Union.
Win Myo Thu is co-founder and managing director of ECODEV/ALARM, one of Myanmar’s leading environmental think tanks. He is an expert in forest and natural resource management and policy, working to defend the resource rights of the poor and most disadvantaged communities. He contributes to national and international environmental policymaking efforts, including international United Nations frameworks. He is working to transform Myanmar into a climate-adaptive society and establish a national system to monitor and address environmental pollution and crime.
Aung Tun is a Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s Myanmar Studies Programme. He has over 13 years of experience working on various policy and governance (including economic governance /community development) issues in Myanmar. He is a development specialist and has worked on several local economic governance projects with different key stakeholders including government officials and CSOs. He has also worked with UNDP/Myanmar, and the Asia Development Bank (ADB), on various development training, and governance and risk assessment projects.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.