By April 1 Myanmar will have elected its new president, heralding the end of over six decades of authoritarianism, Carnegie Endowment writes. But the new administration—burdened with high expectations, little administrative experience, and a looming military presence circumscribing its every move—faces daunting economic, social, and political challenges. Since general elections in November 2015, the political scene in Myanmar has changed rapidly, highlighting the complexity of the democratic transition taking place.
At a forthcoming Carnegie Endowment event. Mary Callahan, U Aung Din, and Christina Fink will make sense of these developments, examine their implications for the peaceful handover of power in April, and give their assessment on what to expect in the aftermath. Carnegie’s Vikram Nehru will moderate.
Mary Callahan is an associate professor in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on political reform in Myanmar.
U Aung Din is senior adviser for Open Myanmar Initiative [a National Endowment for Democracy partner ] based in Yangon. A former political prisoner in Myanmar between 1989 and 1993, he was a founder of the U.S. Campaign for Burma.
Christina Fink is a cultural anthropologist who is a professor of practice in international affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
Venue: Carnegie Endowment, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20036
Date: March 1, 2016
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EST
