Chairman’s Circle – Strategic Circle Forum
ASEAN 2015: “Myanmar & Outside Perspectives”
On January 27, the Human Development Forum Foundation (HDFF) in collaboration with The Asia Foundation (TAF) hosted its first Chairman’s Circle of the year 2015. The event was opened with welcoming remarks from HDFF Chairman Gen. (ret.) Bunchon Chawansin and Mr. Kim McQuay, Thailand Country Representative for The Asia Foundation. The forum commenced with keynote speaker, Ms. Lahpai Seng Raw, delivering her speech, followed by an expert panel featuring Mr. Francisco Dionisio Fernandes, Charge d’affairs from The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and Dr. Arnaud Leveau from the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University.The panel was chaired by Dr. Christopher Ankersen, from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS). The forum focused on an outside view of ASEAN through the perspectives of Timor Leste and France, as well as major thoughts on the future of Myanmar.
The forum opened up with our keynote speaker the 2013 Magsaysay Award Laureate, Ms. Seng Raw who is also the founder of the Metta Development Foundation, Myanmar. In her keynote address, Ms. Seng Raw declared 2015 as a year of change for Myanmar. She pointed out that with the upcoming elections, which will determine the next government, some ideas related to the establishment of a modified political system should be considered. However, according to Ms. Seng Raw, there are many important issues restricting national development, as well as the peace and security of the country. Among others, she mentioned a lack of participation from the legislator, the need for humanitarian relief for internally displaced persons (IDP’s), and the lack of punishment for human rights violations. She also noted that discrimination against women and ethnic minorities persists, the presence of an unequal wealth gap, lack of education, production of narcotics, and lastly, the untreated illnesses and diseases in the country are all serious issues that require attention. However, the issues of peace and democracy are crucial in determining the next steps for the future of Myanmar and crucial to ensuring progress in the region. These human rights issues go beyond just challenges for Myanmar, but are also prevalent in other developing countries that suffer from resource exploitation and marginalization of ethnic groups. The successful integration into a working society is dependent on the need for ethnic and religious tolerance, fundamental human rights, demilitarization, mine reduction, and the safe return of refugees. She went on to urge ASEAN to help Myanmar with the integration of its people in order to avoid more ethnic tensions and to achieve the current 2015 goal of oneness. With that said, international cooperation is to be carefully assessed in order to make positive impacts through peace building to avoid further conflict. This current situation requires a greater response from the people being directly affected, and less from bureaucratic leaders. Therefore, Ms.Seng Raw poses two questions for the actors involved in the changes for Myanmar: “Does this initiative provoke the exclusion of legitimate actors? Is this initiative building the sustainable capacity of civil society?” We can conclude that these questions are fundamental in the making of a new Myanmar involving peace, stability, and an inclusive government with the help of ASEAN. 
The next segment of the Chairman’s Circle consisted of our panel that discussed the challenges and perspectives of ASEAN and Myanmar in 2015. Joining us were Dr. Christopher Ankersen from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (panel chair), Mr. Francisco Dionisio Fernandes, Charge d’affairs from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Dr. Arnaud Leveau from the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University.
Mr. Francisco’s perspective on Myanmar and ASEAN was centered on the ideas of promoting human rights, democratization, and reconciliation. He views ASEAN as the force that drives regional cooperation and helps determine economic and security evolutions. Timor-Leste itself has been a country helped by ASEAN through its contribution to the restoration of peace. In terms of Myanmar, Timor-Leste applauds the transition into democracy and progressive changes that are on their way. He does suggest that Myanmar needs to promote political dialogue for all of society to achieve peace and development for the people, noting that the country currently faces problems with democratic institutions and the promotion of national unity. This can only be achieved through leaders that can look outfor the good of the people.
Following Mr. Francisco, our panelist Dr. Arnaud Leveau’s presentation emphasized the importance of having France support the stabilization of the United States’ role in the Asia Pacific region. This cooperative relationship would provide easy navigation overseas between the Indian and Pacific Ocean. He went on to express that France lacks recognition of its presence in helping the region, despite its contributions. France already aligns with and supports ASEAN’s role in crisis and conflict prevention efforts. In order to gain credibility, there needs to be involvement in the building of regional security matters by both France and Europe. Besides the United States, France is the second country to have a significant presence in ASEAN through its seat in the United Nations. This relationship is contingent on France having less of an impact on Japan, China, and India and more on middle countries like Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. 
The day concluded with HDFF’s announcement of the start of its monthly broadcastings on Channel TNN 2, every last Tuesday of the month from 6:00-6:30 pm (in English). The talk show is hosted by HDFF Executive Director Dr.Wilfried A. Herrmann, and features some distinguished guest covering an array of ASEAN related topics. Tune in every month, as you will get a chance to win some prices by answering the trivia question(s) at the end of the show.
The next Chairman’s Circle will be held on March 24, 2015 with the tentative topic to be announced in the upcoming weeks. HDFF and The Asia Foundation appreciate all Ambassadors, diplomatic and UN personnel, academics, and interested people who took their time to attend this month’s Chairman’s Circle. The HDFF team is looking forward to seeing more new faces in the coming months. The other attendees all greatly contributed to a successful event by initiating conversation and asking stimulating questions to our speakers.