Tufts Digital Democracy Course Material on Burma

1. D
2
Digital Democracy
Monday, February 23, 2009 1

2. D
2
Digital Democracy
Working with local partners from oppressed
societies to connect people through new
technologies that encourage education,
communication and civic participation.
Monday, February 23, 2009 1

3. Burma’s “Prophet”
http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
Eric Arthur Blair
Monday, February 23, 2009 2

4. Burma’s “Prophet”
http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair
Monday, February 23, 2009 2

5. Burma’s “Prophet”
http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair
By: Shepherds Fairey
Monday, February 23, 2009 2

6. Burmese Days
Colonial Period
1824-1948
Major ethnic groups
▪
Karen
▪
Karenni
▪
Mon
▪
Shan
▪
Chin
▪
Wa
▪
Arakan
▪
Rohingya
▪
Kachin
▪
Burman
Monday, February 23, 2009 3

7. Animal Farm: Burma
“Independence”
1948-1989
1948
Aung San
assasinated
1962
U Nu overthrown,
Ne Win begins
“Burmese Way to
Socialism.”
1988
Student uprising
for democracy
Kyaw Tway, male, http://passivepro.blogspot.com/
Eric Elofson - age 20, English Immersion Program
Overcoming Obstacles, Creating Opportunities - Section 6, pg 150-154
Monday, February 23, 2009 4

8. Animal Farm: Burma
Animal Farm opened my mind to what kind of government is in
“Independence”
Burma. I can take a lot of parallels in real life with Animal Farm.
1948-1989
(The animals) want to have freedom, but later there is freedom
1948
only for Napoleon. Burma is also like that for the SPDC, the
Aung San
leaders. Before they become leaders, they say all are equal. But
assasinated
after they become leaders they change their minds.
1962
U Nu overthrown,
When you ask ‘Why do you need more education?’ I see a
Ne Win begins
parallel. (In) Animal Farm, the animals, they overthrow the man,
“Burmese Way to
but only a few animals, especially pigs, are educated. The other
Socialism.”
1988
animals (end up) facing the same problems. We are refugee
Student uprising
people, small minority groups. We don’t have an education. So
for democracy
we need education to be aware of this problem.
Kyaw Tway, male, http://passivepro.blogspot.com/
Eric Elofson - age 20, English Immersion Program
Overcoming Obstacles, Creating Opportunities - Section 6, pg 150-154
Monday, February 23, 2009 4

9. 1984: Myanmar
Population: 60 million
Religions
Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%
(Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic
1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%,
other 2%
KHRG
Monday, February 23, 2009 5

10. 1984: Myanmar
Population: 60 million
Religions
Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%
(Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic
1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%,
other 2%
KHRG
Monday, February 23, 2009 5

11. 1984: Myanmar
Population: 60 million
KEY INDICATORS
worst best
Religions
GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2000 international $) ........ 1,446 3.50
Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%
Life expectancy at birth (years) ............................................. 61 4.19
(Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic
Literacy rate (% of people age 15+) ..................................... 90 6.00
1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%,
Human development index (out of 177)............................... 130 3.52
Rule of law other 2%
(out of 208) ...................................................... 202 1.87
Voice and accountability (out of 208) .................................. 208 0.69
Digital opportunity index (out of 180) .................................. 176 1.36
Internet users (% of population) ........................................... 0.1 3.07
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Source (by indicator): IMF 2006; World Bank 2006a, 2006a; UNDP 2006; World Bank 2006c, 2006c; ITU 2006, 2004
OpenNet Initiative, Internet Filtering in Burma in 2005: A Country Study, at http://opennet.net/studies/burma/.
KHRG
from USD0.75 in 2004 and USD0.95–1.50 in straints. As in other areas, however, the state’s
8
Monday, February 23, 2009 5

12. 1984: Myanmar
Population: 60 million
KEY INDICATORS
worst best
Religions
GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2000 international $) ........ 1,446 3.50
Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%
Life expectancy at birth (years) ............................................. 61 4.19
(Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic
Less than 1% mobile phone &
Literacy rate (% of people age 15+) ..................................... 90 6.00
1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%,
Human development index (out of 177)............................... 130 3.52
Rule of law other 2%
internet market penetration
(out of 208) ...................................................... 202 1.87
Voice and accountability (out of 208) .................................. 208 0.69
Digital opportunity index (out of 180) .................................. 176 1.36
Internet users (% of population) ........................................... 0.1 3.07
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Source (by indicator): IMF 2006; World Bank 2006a, 2006a; UNDP 2006; World Bank 2006c, 2006c; ITU 2006, 2004
OpenNet Initiative, Internet Filtering in Burma in 2005: A Country Study, at http://opennet.net/studies/burma/.
KHRG
from USD0.75 in 2004 and USD0.95–1.50 in straints. As in other areas, however, the state’s
8
Monday, February 23, 2009 5

13. 1984: Myanmar
In Exile: ~4 million
Sophisticated network of
community based
organizations
Monday, February 23, 2009 6

14. 1984: Myanmar
In Exile: ~4 million
Sophisticated network of
community based
organizations
KHRG
Monday, February 23, 2009 6

15. Our Research
Overcoming Obstacles,
Creating Opportunities
Youth Perspectives from the Thai-Burma Border
www.newwordsmedia.com
Youth Perspectives from the Thai-Burma Border
Monday, February 23, 2009 7

16. www.newwordsmedia.com
Key finding
Young Burmese with access to the internet were
more likely to identify themselves as activists
Monday, February 23, 2009 8

17. Saffron Revolution www.uscampaignforburma.org
Mobile phones were used by monks and other citizen
journalists to send information to the outside world.
Monday, February 23, 2009 9

18. Saffron Revolution www.uscampaignforburma.org
Mobile phones were used by monks and other citizen
journalists to send information to the outside world.
Monday, February 23, 2009 10

19. Saffron Revolution www.uscampaignforburma.org
Mobile phones were used by monks and other citizen
journalists to send information to the outside world.
Monday, February 23, 2009 10

20. constrained context.
OpenNet Initiative, Pulling the Plug: A Technical Review of the Internet Shutdown in Burma, at http://opennet.net/research/bulletins/013.
Figure 1. Timeline of Events,
Aug. 19, 2007 - Oct. 13, 2007
Saffron Revolution
Internet in Burma
Willfrom Burma are always asking forthat silencing mobiles andand assistance
governments learn information as well as requesting for help the
“People
internet are a necessary step in any crackdown?
from [the] outside world but very little of their voices reach the world and most are lost in the endless
state of the government vacuum.” — Burmese blogger
Monday, February 23, 2009 11

21. How information travels
Actions are recorded with
mobile phones, uploaded to
flash drives, taken across
borders, uploaded to
servers, sent to trusted
contacts.
Is there a better way?
www.newwordsmedia.com
Monday, February 23, 2009 12

22. Burma and its Borders
In Burma the cost of a “normal”
GSM sim card is 2.5 million
kyat.
This equals approximately
$2000 on the black market
conversion rate.
At the official rate this is
approximately $393,400.
A new pre-paid sim costs Dollars Local Currency
between $20-$50 US dollars. 4.18 250
Bangladesh
7.77 300
India (Delhi)
6.84 200
Thailand
Use restricted to 1 month 14.6 100
China (Yunnan)
50
Burma
Monday, February 23, 2009 13

23. Bangladesh:
Mobile possibilities
• Large populations in
refugee camps
• Stateless population
• Extensive mobile
penetration along border
allows for reporting and
monitoring
www.newwordsmedia.com
Monday, February 23, 2009 14

24. India: Challenges and opportunities
• Relative freedom
of expression
• Tech support in
Delhi
• Isolation along
border
www.newwordsmedia.com
Monday, February 23, 2009 15

25. China:
Land of the Free?
• Borders Kachin and Shan
States in Burma
• Ruili: largest Chinese city on
border
• Contact with outside world
via China and Chinese
technology
“I think, to me, the China
• Relatively more internet
web is totally free.”
freedom
- Burmese male activist, 26
Monday, February 23, 2009 16

26. Thailand: Increased Opportunities
• In Thailand, internet access
is frequent. There, we found
a correlation between
access to internet and self-
identification as an activist
• Since then, internet access
has grown, including
affordable and reliable
GPRS on mobiles
Monday, February 23, 2009 17

27. Burma’s “Prophet”
How relevant is 1984?
Monday, February 23, 2009 18

28. Burma’s “Prophet”
How relevant is 1984?
Monday, February 23, 2009 18

29. Solutions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
1. Education 2. Inter-ethnic dialogue
3. Communication technology
Monday, February 23, 2009 19

30. Solutions
“I came to study here, I
can use computer, I can
use email, and I also learn
something from internet, I
also know more
experience.”
– Male Student, age 23
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
1. Education 2. Inter-ethnic dialogue
3. Communication technology
Monday, February 23, 2009 19

31. Solutions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
What are your thoughts and ideas?
Do you see barriers or solutions?
Tweet #digidem
Monday, February 23, 2009 20

32. Solutions
Democracy
• Being heard
• Minority rights
• Accountability and
transparency
• Advocacy for change
• Access
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
What are your thoughts and ideas?
Do you see barriers or solutions?
Tweet #digidem
Monday, February 23, 2009 20

33. Solutions
Digital Democracy
Democracy
• Empowerment of the
• Being heard
individual
• Minority rights
• Fall of hierarchies
• Accountability and
• Wider participation
transparency
• Democratization of
• Advocacy for change
information
• Access
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2736565604/
What are your thoughts and ideas?
Do you see barriers or solutions?
Tweet #digidem
Monday, February 23, 2009 20

34. Digital Democracy
Monday, February 23, 2009 21

35. Virtual Community Center
Similar to traditional community centers, VCC is a place for community
groups to come together.
Monday, February 23, 2009 22

36. Virtual Community Center
Community groups can:
Have an easy web presence
ommunity Community Learn about each others work
Group Group Easily partner
Receive support
Host discussions
Overcome distance
Overcome different languages
Secure Sharing:
Citizen Citizen Citizen Messages
Data
Pictures
Phone Computer Computer Videos
D
2
Open Source
Monday, February 23, 2009 23

37. Virtual Community Center - Mobile
A network for map-based micro-blogging,
which will be used by individuals and
organizations along Burma's borders.
Handheld Human Rights: supports inter
and intra-group communication for
human rights organizations while
allowing them to map shared data via
mobile phones. The goal is to have more
accessible and reliable information about
human rights abuses.
Crowdsourcing the Constitution:
communication between
•Facilitates
www.newwordsmedia.com
political and religious leaders and their
constituents by distributing videos of
their speeches through mobiles, allowing
individuals to respond via SMS. The goal
is to engage individuals in the political
process.
Monday, February 23, 2009 24

38. Virtual Community Center - Mobile
A network for map-based micro-blogging,
which will be used by individuals and
organizations along Burma's borders.
Handheld Human Rights: supports inter
and intra-group communication for
human rights organizations while
allowing them to map shared data via
mobile phones. The goal is to have more
accessible and reliable information about
human rights abuses.
Crowdsourcing the Constitution:
communication between
•Facilitates
www.newwordsmedia.com
political and religious leaders and their
constituents by distributing videos of
their speeches through mobiles, allowing
individuals to respond via SMS. The goal
is to engage individuals in the political
process.
http://www.developmentseed.org/
Monday, February 23, 2009 24

39. Project Einstein
“Because Einstein was a refugee but could still do great things”
Digital Pen Pals - Photography-based participatory education
program linking American students with refugee youth overseas.
Monday, February 23, 2009 25

40. Project Einstein: Digital Pen Pals
Peace
Culture
Let’s Discuss: Happiness
History
USA Bangladesh
Ideas
Pictures
Let’s Exchange: Lessons
Culture
Resettled Refugees Photo Books
Youth in
with American youth
Let’s Create: Slideshows refugee camps
in US schools
Videos
D
2
Monday, February 23, 2009 26

41. Cultural Landscape
An interactive map where people can describe the
past, present and future of their communities
http://www.developmentseed.org/
Monday, February 23, 2009 27

42. Cultural Landscape
An interactive map where people can describe the
past, present and future of their communities
•Po Po
•Shan
•30 years old
•This is me as a
girl in Myanmar
in 1984. I sold
masks to
survive.
www.newwordsmedia.com
http://www.developmentseed.org/
Monday, February 23, 2009 27

43. Problem Solution
Regional instability Cross-border communication
World’s longest running civil Networking among
war traditionally divided groups
Rampant use of child soldiers Providing 21st century
education
Over 3.5 million internally
displaced persons and Connecting refugees with
refugees their resettled communities
Severe censorship Freedom of information
Monday, February 23, 2009 28

44. D
2
Digital Democracy
Mark Belinsky - MBelinsky@dtwo.org - +1-347-439-8431
Emily Jacobi - EJacobi@dtwo.org - +1-347-328-3110
DTWO.ORG
Monday, February 23, 2009 29

45. D
2
Digital Democracy
Working with local partners from oppressed
societies to connect people through new
technologies that encourage education,
communication and civic participation.
Mark Belinsky - MBelinsky@dtwo.org - +1-347-439-8431
Emily Jacobi - EJacobi@dtwo.org - +1-347-328-3110
DTWO.ORG
Monday, February 23, 2009 29

46. “Concepts such as truth, justice and compassion cannot be
dismissed as trite when these are often the only bulwarks
which stand against ruthless power.”
-Aung San Suu Kyi
Nobel Peace Prize 1991
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