Our Mission

The Burmese Democratic Futures Working Group (BDFWG) brings together political advocates and university scholars to explore the history and current state of non-violent democratic movements in Burma. Through research reports and policy proposals, the BDFWG works to provide information which is responsive to the pressing needs of those advocates and political leaders currently working for a democratic Burma. The BDFWG is supported by the Democratic Futures Project.

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Given the situation in Burma, the BDFWG has selected the following areas as its current areas of research:

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• BDFWG will research the historical importance of non-violent democratic advocacy in reforming Burma political structures. In particular, the research will explore how current military junta repression practices work to encourage armed resistance. The BDFWG intends to provide an evidence-based strategy to advocates choosing between violent and non-violent campaigns for a democratic Burma.

• BDFWG will research how the military junta has created an information environment that works to discredit non-violent democratic campaigns, allied business, and multi-ethnic coalitions as a means to retain power. The BDFWG intends to provide strategies not only to mitigate such efforts, but to strengthen democratic coalitions.

• BDFWG will research how the current non-violent democratic campaigns are actively developing new roles for women, as public figures and advocates, as well as a concept of democracy based upon the experiences of the Burmese population. The BDFWG intends to provide strategies which will strengthen the impact of this cultural and political “pivot point” in Burma.

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These research areas will develop and expand in response to changing political events in Burma.