Official 2% Mon, 1.5% Kachin, 1.25% Indians,
Official Name: Republic of the Union of Myanmar Flag: Demographics Population: 53,569,078 (68% Bamar, 9% Shan, 7% Kayin, 2.5% Other groups, 3.5% Rakhine, 2.5% Han-Chinese, 2% Mon, 1.
5% Kachin, 1.25% Indians, 0.75% Kayah) Official Languages: Burmese, English, Shan, Karen Languages, Kachin, Mon Religions: 89.2% Buddhism, 5.0% Christianity, 3.8% Islam , 0.
5% Hinduism, 1.2% Spiritualism Government President: Htin Kyaw Prime Minister: – State Counselor: Aung San Suu Kyi Type of Government: Unitary presidential constitutional republic Legislature/Decision-Making body: Parliament Economics Main Contributors: Agriculture, port trading More Economically Developed Country Major Imports: Petroleum products, machinery, transport equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs Major Exports: Natural gas, precious and semi-precious minerals, wood products, agricultural products, marine products, foodstuffs, consumer goods Main Trading Partners: China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, Hong-Kong Infrastructure Communication: Television and phone networks run by government, internet owned by companies such as Myanmar Teleport, Yatanarpon Teleport, Information Technology Central Services (ITCS) Transport: Transport sector under-developed for a country of its size, population, and potential. However, public transport system present (taxis, buses, railways) and improving (port and highway upgrades). Sanitation: Clean water is not easily available throughout the country, improved sanitation not accessible to all but steps are being taken to improve condition of both.
Culture Unique Traits: Greatly influenced by Buddhism and Mon people Unique Foods: Mohinga, laphet thohk, buthi kyaw, thoke Attitude to the Arts: Censorship on performances and artistic work Sports: Spectator and participatory sports (football, golf, chinlone, lethwei/kickboxing) hugely popular in Myanmar Festivals: Thingyan, Kasone, Nayon, Waso, Wagaung, Tazaungdaing, Nadaw, Tabaung. Geography Location: Tropic of Cancer Important Neighbours: Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Thailand Unique Geography: Shares borders with Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR and Thailand, strategically located at the crossroads of China, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Ranks first as the ‘most at risk’ country in Asia the Pacific according to UN Risk Model. The country is vulnerable to a wide range of hazards, including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. 3 Relevant Points for Topic 1 1. Myanmar has made – and is making – significant efforts to eliminate trafficking in persons, such as a. reducing recruitment and use of child soldiers; b. increasing number of personnel dedicated to anti-trafficking law enforcement units; c.
strengthening efforts to identify and demobilise children recruited into military ranks. 2. The 2005 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law criminalises all forms of sex and labour trafficking. 3. On 13 March 2014, the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the Government of Australia signed the Cooperation Agreement on Anti-trafficking in Persons.
3 Relevant Points for Topic 2 1. There is difficulty letting foreign aid workers into Myanmar due to a. needing to safeguard people providing humanitarian aid; b. the risk of causing more chaos when third parties get involved in conflict zones; c. rumours that aid deliveries could be used to smuggle weapons to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). 2. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has said Myanmar is ready to start a process agreed with Bangladesh in 1993 under which anyone verified as a refugee will be accepted back. 3.
Many Rohingya are wary about returning without an assurance of citizenship, which they fear could leave them vulnerable to persecution and discrimination. However, The United Nations refugee agency will provide technical assistance to the Myanmar government in the processing and verifying of citizenship for Rohingya to resolve the humanitarian crisis.
