Burma Digest
Encyclopedia
The Burma Digest is a weekly bilingual online journal, published by the Democracy for Burma Alliance, a web
-based campaign
group set up by Burmese
refugees and human rights
activists worldwide. It features articles written both in English and Burmese.
The Burma Digest, as well as all other campaign activities of the Democracy for Burma Alliance are 100% non-profit and volunteering
-based. The publication is fully available for reading on Democracy for Burma Alliance's main page [www.tayzathuria.org.uk ]and on blog
[www.burmadigest.wordpress.com]. Printable booklets are also offered for downloading and free distribution. http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/BD.htm
The first edition of the Burma Digest appeared in June 2005, featuring only three articles, in English. Nowadays, the average issue of the Burma Digest features more than ten articles in English, and ten in Burmese, as well as interviews with personalities involved in the struggle for democracy
in Burma and political dissidents, a newsroom http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/BDnewsroom.htm and photo gallery http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/gallery.htm
journal, the Burma Digest makes a strong statement against totalitarian regimes, considering the currently ruling military junta
as illegitimate and defending Burmese people's right to fundamental freedoms.
The beliefs the Burma Digest is aimed to represent and to support are stated on the journal's website
and blog
:
journal for democracy
and human rights
,the Burma Digest publishes articles mostly (though not exclusively) on social
and political issues. However, the Burma Digest, as well as the Democracy for Burma Alliance is not directly affiliated to any political party
, ethnic group
or organization
. It is a space of freedom of speech
, reuniting diverse views and opinions. If certain articles show either support or disagreement towards certain organisations or issues, it is only based on the publication's values and beliefs concerning democracy
and human rights
.
, until the next August 8, the Burma Digest offers an award for Burmese language
articles and poetry
. Each month, two articles and two poems are nominated, then the winner is chosen out of 5 finalists articles/poems.
The prize for the best article is USD 250. The prize for the best poem is USD 150. This project and the prizes are funded by donations. http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/prize.htm
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
-based campaign
Political campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
group set up by Burmese
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
refugees and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
activists worldwide. It features articles written both in English and Burmese.
The Burma Digest, as well as all other campaign activities of the Democracy for Burma Alliance are 100% non-profit and volunteering
Volunteering
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be...
-based. The publication is fully available for reading on Democracy for Burma Alliance's main page [www.tayzathuria.org.uk ]and on blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
[www.burmadigest.wordpress.com]. Printable booklets are also offered for downloading and free distribution. http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/BD.htm
The first edition of the Burma Digest appeared in June 2005, featuring only three articles, in English. Nowadays, the average issue of the Burma Digest features more than ten articles in English, and ten in Burmese, as well as interviews with personalities involved in the struggle for democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
in Burma and political dissidents, a newsroom http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/BDnewsroom.htm and photo gallery http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/gallery.htm
Aims and mission
- To increase international awareness of Human-rights abuses happening in Burma
- To increase awareness among people from Burma about their natural rightsNatural rightsNatural and legal rights are two types of rights theoretically distinct according to philosophers and political scientists. Natural rights are rights not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government, and therefore universal and inalienable...
or human-rights - Ultimately, to help improve human-rights situations in Burma.
Visions and beliefs
As a pro-democracyDemocracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
journal, the Burma Digest makes a strong statement against totalitarian regimes, considering the currently ruling military junta
Military dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
as illegitimate and defending Burmese people's right to fundamental freedoms.
The beliefs the Burma Digest is aimed to represent and to support are stated on the journal's website
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
and blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
:
- We believe that all BurmeseBamarThe Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
democraticactivists and campaignPolitical campaignA political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
groups will unite and join hands in the fight for democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in Burma. - We believe that the momentum of our democratic movementDemocratic MovementDemocratic Movement may refer to:*Democratic Movement *Democratic Movement *Democratic Movement *Democratic Movement *Democratic Movement *Democratic Movement...
will become very strong. - We believe that Burmese people will be able to overcome their fear and rise up against cruel military dictatorshipMilitary dictatorshipA military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
. - We believe that democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
will prevail in our country. - We believe that our people will be able to enjoy human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in our country. - We believe that all ethnic groups in our country will agree to live peacefully alongside each other and together as the Union of Burma.
- We believe that all ethnic minority areas will become federal states inside the Union of Burma.
- We believe that there will be independent judicial system with equalitySocial equalitySocial equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
for all under the rule of lawRule of lawThe rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
in our country. - We believe that our country will become prosperous as a united, democratic and stable country.
- We believe that there will be a thriving market economyMarket economyA market economy is an economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. This is often contrasted with a state-directed or planned economy. Market economies can range from hypothetically pure laissez-faire variants to an assortment of real-world mixed...
free from corrupt bureaucratic governmentGovernmentGovernment refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
control. - We believe that people will be able to earn their living easily in lawful and honest ways in our country.
- We believe that there will be free, and good quality, basic educationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and health careHealth careHealth care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
for all in our country. - We believe that all regions in our country will be able to enjoy equal development, and modern infrastructureInfrastructureInfrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
s. - We believe that we will maintain a strong and professional armed forcesArmed forcesThe armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
which do not try to interfere in civilianCivilianA civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
affairs. - We believe that our country and our people will be well respected by the international communityInternational communityThe international community is a term used in international relations to refer to all peoples, cultures and governments of the world or to a group of them. The term is used to imply the existence of common duties and obligations between them...
because of our democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, stability and prosperity
Political and social impact
As a campaignPolitical campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
journal for democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
,the Burma Digest publishes articles mostly (though not exclusively) on social
Social
The term social refers to a characteristic of living organisms...
and political issues. However, the Burma Digest, as well as the Democracy for Burma Alliance is not directly affiliated to any political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, ethnic group
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
or organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
. It is a space of freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
, reuniting diverse views and opinions. If certain articles show either support or disagreement towards certain organisations or issues, it is only based on the publication's values and beliefs concerning democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
.
The Burma Digest Human Rights Literature award
Each year, (starting from August 8, the day of the commemoration of 8888 Uprising8888 Uprising
The 8888 Nationwide Popular Pro-Democracy Protests was a series of marches, demonstrations, protests, and riots in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma...
, until the next August 8, the Burma Digest offers an award for Burmese language
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
articles and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
. Each month, two articles and two poems are nominated, then the winner is chosen out of 5 finalists articles/poems.
The prize for the best article is USD 250. The prize for the best poem is USD 150. This project and the prizes are funded by donations. http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/bd/prize.htm
See also
- Burma
- Politics of Burma
- Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
- National League for DemocracyNational League for DemocracyThe National League for Democracy is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September 1988. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi serves as its General Secretary. The party won a substantial parliamentary majority in the 1990 Burmese general election. However, the ruling military junta...
External links
- Burma Digest main page
- http://www.burmadigest.wordpress.com and http://burmadigest.blogspot.com Burma Digest on Blogs