Swe Win

Episode #310: Mike shares an in-depth look at the Burma Front during World War II, emphasizing the forgotten contributions of Merrill's Marauders, a U.S. long-range penetration unit tasked with seizing the Myitkyina airfield. The airfield was crucial in maintaining Allied supply lines, but the mission was grueling, with only 130 out of 2,750 soldiers remaining combat-fit by the end.In 1995, Mike accompanied veterans on an emotional return to Burma to revisit wartime locations, including Myitkyina. But the trip was marred by strict military oversight from the Burmese junta, who attempted to co-opt the visit for their own propaganda purposes. Nevertheless, the veterans succeeded in reconnecting with key sites and honoring their fallen comrades, and recovering the remains of U.S. servicemen missing in action, which was complicated by sensitive political barriers, but resolved through the involvement of Senator John McCain.The discussion also delves into Mike's spiritual journey with Burmese mysticism, particularly the weikza tradition, which blends meditation and supernatural beliefs. Mike describes how this practice influenced his perspective on Burma, helping him understand its complexities through both historical and spiritual lenses. He came to believe that he had been a member of the Ta'ang ethnic group in a past life, deepening his connection to Burma's cultural heritage."The thing is, see things as they really are, and then act with skillful action," Mike says, urging listeners to strip away biases and conditioned perspectives to truly understand Burma's complex realities. "Stop it! You have colored glasses on through a conditioned mind, and you're making wrong decisions about Burma and everything else, and what is Myanmar, and so we have to do is clear that conditioned mind and see things as we are and deal with things right there."

14 Feb 1h 48min

This interview was recorded before the recent suspension of USAID programs under the Trump administration, which has placed the future of the Diversity and Inclusivity Scholarship Program (DISP) in jeopardy. As a USAID-supported initiative that equips Burmese educators with skills for inclusive and culturally relevant teaching, the program that Maw Maw Tun and Chan Lwin describe in this episode now faces uncertainty about its continuation.Episode #309: Myanmar's educational landscape has faced immense challenges, especially due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the 2021 military coup, which created significant barriers for marginalized communities. Despite these difficulties, individuals like Chan Lwin and Maw Maw Tun are working to make education more inclusive and adaptive across Myanmar. Chan and Maw lead the Diversity and Inclusivity Scholarship Program (DISP), an initiative supported by USAID that aims to empower teachers. Chan oversees DISP’s strategic direction, while Maw is lead instructor, conducting weekly Zoom sessions that help educators adapt blended learning methods to fit their communities. Their collaboration ensures that teachers not only gain skills but also receive ongoing support in applying these skills effectively.Historically, Myanmar's education system has been centralized, controlled by state ideology, and emphasizing rote learning. The 2011 political reforms encouraged some changes, but disparities persist, especially between urban and rural areas. The pandemic highlighted these inequities as schools moved online, and rural students faced a lack of access to reliable internet and devices.DISP is dedicated to empowering educators, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Teachers from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds are involved to create a more representative and culturally sensitive curriculum. They are also supported in creating resources in their native languages, which helps make education more meaningful and accessible. Maw emphasizes the importance of starting with what is possible: “We have to start with ourselves—doing what is possible now. It's not about a perfect scenario but about making a real difference with what we have.” This encapsulates the spirit of DISP, empowering local educators to shape their own paths and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for Myanmar's education system.

11 Feb 1h 19min

Episode #308: “Stop saying that, 'Oh, China is in Cambodia. Vietnam is in Cambodia. We will never be able to win the war and to go back to Cambodia. Stop putting that into your mind. Stop living in fear! One thing I learned from Aung San Suu Kyi is living in fear. I refuse to live in fear. Live beyond that.”Mu Sochua, an exiled Cambodian politician, reflects on her journey from the devastation of the Khmer Rouge genocide to advocating for democracy and justice. A tireless opponent of Hun Sen’s authoritarian regime, Sochua recounts Cambodia’s history of war, resistance, and the transformative efforts she has led to empower women and rebuild society. Her campaign redefined cultural norms by elevating the status of women, a symbolic victory that spurred legislative change.Sochua draws strength and inspiration from Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, admiring their creativity and defiance against military oppression. She highlights the National Unity Government’s efforts to maintain essential services, presenting them as a model for Cambodia’s diaspora-led resistance. She also met with Aung San Suu Kyi, which reinforced her belief in leadership that combines compassion and resolve, inspiring Sochua’s vision for a unified Cambodian movement.Critiquing Cambodia’s reliance on cybercrime and unchecked environmental exploitation for income, Sochua emphasizes the urgency of systemic reform. She urges the Cambodian diaspora to overcome disunity and advocate collectively for change, warning that fragmentation undermines international support. Despite exile, Sochua leads the Khmer Movement for Democracy, lobbying for sanctions and preparing for free and fair elections.“When we heard that there is a part of NLD, there is a group that will go for arms conflict, at first we were shocked! We were not in favor. And then, the question is, 'So, what's the what's the solution? Do we wait for ASEAN? Does Myanmar continue to wait for ASEAN, for the international community?' No, and lowering the tenacity, the resilience, the pride or the history of the people of Myanmar that have suffered so much, have fought so much. This is the last fight.”

7 Feb 1h 4min

Episode #307: Ashley South's exploration of Myanmar began as a journey into the unknown. He first worked with Karen refugees in Thailand, where he struggled to deal with the many cultural and religious differences. But over time, his understanding of Myanmar was transformed, deepening his connection with the people.Traveling extensively through Kachin, Shan, and Mon states, South's insights reveal Myanmar not as a true “nation state,” but more a tapestry of distinct, ethnic identities, and a colonial creation held together by force. While advocating for the assertion of ethnic identities, he highlights the challenges of ethnic identity politics, acknowledging the risks of an exclusionary movement and intragroup conflict, like the fragmented Karen nationalist movement. For South, an inclusive, federal government is the only way forward that would prevent Myanmar from fragmenting into isolated enclaves.The impact of climate change is another key concern for South. He explains that rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events will severely impact Myanmar, particularly its agricultural base. Coastal regions like the Irrawaddy Delta face significant risks due to rising sea levels, which could displace millions."I don't expect the state of Myanmar to recover in my lifetime, partly for political reasons," he says soberly towards the end of the discussion. "But also [stemming from] the impacts of climate change, I think that these are going to be devastating. And so I don't expect a coherent Myanmar state to recover. I think that does have massive humanitarian implications, which will inevitably drive huge suffering and displacement, which are not things to celebrate. But also it does create a political opportunity for the reemergence of these identities and associated political spaces that have arguably really been suppressed since the emergence of the modern nation-state."

4 Feb 2h 18min

Episode #306: John Quinley, a Director at Fortify Rights, notes that his initial interest in Myanmar arose during his high school years when he lived in Thailand, and he recounts a humanitarian mission into Shan State deeply impacted him during that time. He has been involved ever since.Quinley describes how before the coup, Fortify Rights led participatory training to build a knowledge of human rights, helping communities document abuses, and making connections with international legal mechanisms like the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 2021 coup shattered the country’s tenuous transition to democracy, forcing Fortify Rights to pivot to providing emergency support—helping activists find safehouses, providing grants, and documenting the junta’s abuses against peaceful protesters.Quinley speaks about the importance of regulating his own emotions while facing secondary trauma from witnessing and documenting human rights abuses. He emphasizes the need to remain empathetic while staying clinical, striving to support those in Myanmar without being overwhelmed by the suffering he encountered.A central theme of Quinley's message concerns the resilience of Myanmar's people. He highlights efforts by ethnic armed groups and the National Unity Government (NUG) to build an inclusive, democratic future, in contrast to the exclusionary policies of the military regime and even the past administrations of the National League for Democracy. To Quinley, the NUG's unprecedented step of appointing Rohingya representatives signals a shift towards greater inclusivity.Quinley remains hopeful, seeing the courage and determination of Myanmar's youth, the cooperation across ethnic lines, and the rise of local governance structures that operate independently of the junta. As he notes in closing, “The Myanmar people have said, 'We will still build a future, fight for our rights, and create alternative systems to meet our own needs.'”

31 Jan 1h 37min

Episode #305: Paul Sein Twa is a Karen environmentalist whose life and work embody the intersection of conservation, indigenous rights, and the pursuit of peace. He shares his journey growing up along the Burma-Thailand border, where he witnessed the massive deforestation caused by unchecked logging, and how it motivated him to dedicate his life to preserving Myanmar's natural landscapes and empowering indigenous communities.The conversation delves into Paul's work with the Salween Peace Park, an initiative that combines ecological conservation with cultural preservation and fostering community resilience. Paul passionately describes the relationship his people hold with the land, where nature is not merely a resource but a sacred heritage that sustains both body and spirit. The Peace Park represents a vision of governance driven by the principles of stewardship and indigenous wisdom, showing how conservation can also be a form of resistance against military exploitation and political oppression.Paul describes the challenges and triumphs of maintaining environmental integrity in a conflict-ridden region. He talks about working with the Karen National Union to create policies that support sustainable development while resisting exploitative military-backed projects. He highlights the importance of building resilience from the grassroots level and engaging local communities as key actors in managing their territories.“We cannot just talk about environmental conservation without recognizing the human rights of the people who are living in that territory. We have to first recognize the rights of the indigenous people and local communities, and that's where we talk about human rights-based approach to conservation. This is exactly what we the Peace Park is doing! And then, by recognizing our rights, and then by holding hand with other communities, we can… can achieve more, right?” With these words, Paul Sein Twa offers a powerful reminder: the fight for the environment is not merely about preserving nature—it is about safeguarding the soul of a people.

28 Jan 1h 57min

Episode #304: In this episode, we bring together three guests who share stories of resilience, artistry, and the transformative power of creative expression when faced with the challenges of displacement and conflict.Elisabeth Win, the Outreach Coordinator of Joy House, discusses its role as a safe space for Burmese refugees in Thailand, focusing on psychosocial support through music, art, and vocational training. She highlights Joy House’s efforts to bridge cultural gaps between the Thai host community and Burmese refugees by providing free classes and outreach programs in local schools. Elisabeth also explains the challenges refugees face, including legal insecurity and cultural adjustment, and the importance of fostering goodwill with the Thai community.Phoe San shares his journey as a violinist and music teacher who fled Myanmar after the coup due to his activism, including leading a violin protest movement. Despite challenges, he continues to teach violin online and in Thai refugee communities, emphasizing the instrument's expressive and therapeutic potential. He reflects on using music to memorialize victims of the military’s violence, sharing a poignant story of playing at the site of a friend’s death. Phoe San sees a healing power in music which can help displaced individuals, and he highlights the transformative power of art in conflict zones.Daniel Saw recounts his escape from Myanmar following the military coup, detailing the dangers of crossing into Thailand with his family. Now a music producer and teacher, he gives piano lessons and vocal classes to support himself and displaced communities. Daniel reflects on the importance of art in emotional healing and self-expression, noting that music fosters resilience and offers a creative outlet for trauma relief.

24 Jan 1h 23min

Episode #303: Hagar International, founded by Pierre Tami in Cambodia in 1994, began with a mission to support a single abused woman but quickly grew to assist thousands of vulnerable individuals affected by extreme human rights abuses. Catherine Kirkendall, the Executive Director of Hagar’s U.S. office, joins the podcast to discuss their organization’s mission.In the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia was left a devastated infrastructure and widespread poverty on top of its national trauma. Hagar's work expanded organically as the community's need for systemic support became evident. The organization played a significant role in transitioning from institutional care to family-based support, ensuring children had access to stable and nurturing environments.In Myanmar, Hagar has worked for over a decade, partnering with local organizations to build capacity, provide trauma-informed care, and support resilience-building to address the widespread trauma resulting from trafficking and political turmoil. By offering culturally appropriate counseling and economic empowerment programs, Hagar aims to support communities under increasing strain.In addition to its work in Cambodia and Myanmar, Hagar also operates in Afghanistan and Thailand. In Afghanistan, they assist boys exploited through Bacha Bazi, a coercive practice involving sexual abuse. In Thailand, Hagar collaborates with authorities to combat child exploitation, focusing on building strong legal cases.Hagar’s approach wherever it operates is grounded in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and long-term reintegration for survivors, while empowering them to rebuild their lives. Kirkendall emphasizes that systemic change is essential to prevent exploitation, focusing on individual impacts that create broader community ripples, even when the challenges seem overwhelming."It is tough. It is very hard," she acknowledges of the work. "All that we can do is focus on the individuals that we can work with and know that each individual then causes that ripple in their own community. And so it's that focus on each person, because otherwise, you look at the whole and it does become overwhelming and depressing."​

21 Jan 1h 48min