NIMD Country Programme
Myanmar
What we do
Many countries we work in are fragile democracies suffering from political instability, conflict and uncertainty, so flexibility is key to NIMD’s work. Being prepared to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances is crucial in the planning of all our programmes, and the safety and security of our colleagues and partners is our most important consideration.
This flexibility was called for in Myanmar, when in February 2021 the military deposed the elected government, stalling a gradual process of democratization that had begun a decade earlier.
NIMD has been active in Myanmar since 2014, running democracy education courses and dialogue sessions. This work was disrupted by the coup, but Myanmar continues to be a vital country in our network, and we are currently exploring new solutions to continue our work with Myanmar’s political and civic actors.
Myanmar is home to more than 130 different ethnic groups, spread across a diverse geographical terrain where some groups have been engaged in prolonged conflict with the Myanmar military, and deep fault lines define the political landscape in Myanmar.
Breaking down this polarization and creating a more open and inclusive political space in Myanmar has been a key goal of NIMD. To work towards achieving this, we held intensive, month-long democracy education retreats at secluded locations as part of a joint programme with Demo Finland.
Attendees came from the across political and ethnic divides, and they studied together in a neutral, respectful, multiparty setting. Creating this shared experience helped participants overcome pre-conceptions about each other, laying the groundwork for greater co-operation and dialogue in the future.
Gender equality and women’s participation are central to NIMD’s Myanmar programme, and female politicians constituted a large proportion of the democracy education alumni.
All our programming in Myanmar aims to create a conducive environment for women’s full and meaningful inclusion in political and decision-making processes.
Building the skills and capacity of women in politics in Myanmar is crucial given their role in peace-building and bringing communities together in spaces of prolonged conflict.
Meet the Team
Who We Work With
