Inclusive Myanmar December 2020

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Inclusive Myanmar

2020 Highlights from K4DM
2020 was a crucial year for democratic transition in Myanmar. The general election on November 8 marked a full democratic transition of power in Myanmar for the second time in the country’s history. The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn presented unforeseen challenges for the country during the year as well. The International Development Research Centre and Global Affairs Canada have supported think tanks, universities and researchers in Myanmar via the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative (K4DM) during this important period.

This special bilingual edition of the Inclusive Myanmar Newsletter highlights articles, reports, briefs and presentations supported by the K4DM Initiative and conducted by Myanmar scholars. Evidence and data informing key policy areas for Myanmar’s future, such as decentralization, inclusiveness, and higher education, has the potential to support ongoing reforms in the nascent democracy.

Women in politics

Following the Nov. 8 election, the percentage of elected positions held by women is on the rise. The Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation (EMReF) studied what helps and hinders women's political participation in Myanmar.

Insights for policy

Doing Research Assessment

The Global Development Network and Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD) took stock of the social science research landscape in Myanmar.

Did you miss the podcast?

In photos: Gender equality case studies

The Myanmar Institute for Integrated Development (MIID) highlights women's empowerment in Shan State through a beautiful photo essay and first-person stories.

View it here
Sneak Peek: Myanmar and COVID-19

Kai Ostwald, from the University of British Columbia, and Tun Myint wrote about Myanmar's challenges and pandemic response in the forthcoming book Covid-19 in Asia: Law and Policy Contexts from Oxford University Press.

Exclusive excerpt
Gender Data Matters
"The different impacts of war on women and men have to be taken seriously to move the peace process forward and to design policies that address the long-lasting consequences of war," write Jae Park and Alexandre Pelletier in Tea Circle. They share key findings from collaborative research with Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security (MIPS) about how conflict affects men and women in the article Gender, Violence and Ethnic Conflict in Myanmar.
The Case for Think Tanks
"Donors should take note that investing in nascent think tanks could be one of the best investments they can make to nurture the world’s transitioning political systems, Myanmar being a compelling case in point."

-- Edgard Rodriguez
Read "A Key Role for Think Tanks in Myanmar's Development" in Tea Circle
In the News
Webinars? We got webinars
The Myanmar Speaker Series held through the summer and fall attracted hundreds of attendees over 14 virtual events. Talks featured research results about women's political participation, supporting subnational parliaments, and how decentralization affects security, health care and education. Watch presentations you missed on YouTube.
Coming Up
 
About K4DM
International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Global Affairs Canada jointly launched the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative in 2017. The five-year program aims to nurture a new generation of young actors to promote inclusion, gender equality, respect for diversity, and prosperity for all in Myanmar. The initiative provides support and training for local researchers and think tanks.
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