Presentation/s:

Aung San Suu Kyi has described Burma’s recent by-elections as the ‘beginning of a new era’. Bob Carr has described the country’s possible transformation into democracy as a potentially ‘positive chapter in the Asian Century’. There is no doubt that the reform process we are witnessing is historic. As Burma’s second largest bi-lateral donor, what does this mean for Australia? What are the implications for our aid program, and our sanctions? What position should we encourage other major players to adopt?

Janelle Saffin MP is the Federal Member for Page and a long-timeobserver of and advocate for reform in Burma. At this public lecture, Ms Saffin will consider the challenges of development and nation-buildingthat Burma is currently faced with, and give her view on the opportunities and risks presented by recent developments in the country.

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