We’re proud of everything our Young Leaders have accomplished and want to share their stories. We talked with Evelyn about her work in Burma, her time in the Forum, and things to come.
Twenty Burmese Young Leaders in the Bush Institute’s Liberty and Leadership Forum graduated from the program in May. Over the past year, they’ve applied the skills and concepts from the program to help advance Burma’s historic democratic transition. We’re proud of everything our Young Leaders have accomplished and want to share their stories. We talked with Evelyn about her work in Burma, her time in the Forum, and things to come.
1. Describe what you are doing in Burma? What inspired you to do this kind of work and why is it important?
I’m establishing a project that provides jobs for women producing traditional clothing. I’m networking now with small, local factories in our state. We’ll work on business plan training and proposal writing in the coming months.
My goal is for women to get jobs with a proper income while maintaining the practice of making traditional costumes and making them well-known around the world.
We’re doing this because most women in our community are under the control of their families and do house work. Minority women who do work outside their homes have very low wages. I want to increase their economic opportunity.
2. How did the Liberty and Leadership Forum inspire you?
It is a great opportunity learning about leadership skills and democratic principles which obviously support our democratic reform movements in Burma. The Liberty and Leadership Forum creates a network of young Burmese leaders from different backgrounds to share knowledge.
3. As you think about the future, what is your vision for Burma and how will you help make it a reality?
I dream of a united, federal state with rich democratic principles. There will be no civil war, no discrimination regardless of ethnicity, religion, or gender. And the fundamental rights of human beings will be respected. To realize this dream, everyone is responsible. As a Liberty and Leadership Forum alumna, I must consistently apply the lessons learned from the forum in my daily life.
I am going to lead our community in raising our voices to support peace and cooperate with the local democratic government to create positive change in our region.
