Recommendations

Short term recommendations that could also be affective include the startup of independent community gardens and farmers markets to promote and showcase the hard work of the Burmese people. Opening these gardens requires very minimal cost and is a great form of employment for the unemployed. The resources that are needed include small pieces of land and gardening tools which can be provided by funding organizations such as the American Community Garden Association in Burma. Burma has access to various types of plants so obtaining seeds and plants for the gardens would not be an issue. The produce grown in these gardens can also be sold to the citizens- providing them with cheap healthy food. 

Second Solution

A short term solution that is as effective in granting back some independence for the Burmese people is helping purchase back the land that once belonged to local farmers since ultimately all land is owned by the government (military). Developing a new policy or implementing a new constitution may be a bit of a stretch for a start but repurchasing back land from the government will give the citizens the support and financial ability to help regain their complete independence and human rights.

This can be done by having the UN and/or United States support the development of a written land policy on land use and require that the majority have land be given back to its citizens whether it be free or by purchase. The Burmese government states that they already have a land use policy implemented, however it is not written in their constitution or stated clearly in any state documents, and therefore it is not enforced. The United States and other potential donors would help provide technical, legal, and other forms of support for the foundation and implementation of this land policy.

By giving the Burmese citizens their land back, it takes away a great majority of power from the central government and also gives responsibilities back to the citizens The UN, the Unites States, and other countries obviously cannot implement these policies alone. They depend on the corporation and support of the citizens as well. That means the citizens need to leave all conflicts aside, unite, and uses their votes wisely in all elections and voting opportunities. 

First Solution

The most effective solution to this problem would be to have the UN intercede and monitor/regulate refugee camps while investigating the crimes occurring against the minority groups. There also must be a policy that will promote integration, an environment of peaceful coexistence, and the ability for all minorities to obtain equal protection under the law. This can be implemented by the government into the constitution. Guaranteeing all of the citizens’ human rights also means distribution of land back to its rightful owners.

Opposition leader and once a political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi, calls for a dramatic change in the constitution along with president Barack Obama (RFA, 2014). The conversation for a constitutional change is nothing new, but needs more attention drawn to it like before. It will more than definitely help towards eliminating the social prejudice between the minority groups and the human rights violations caused by the government. 

Attempts to Solve Issue

Several attempts since the end of British rule have been made to stabilize as well as democratize the country of Burma. One attempt was made at the National Convention which set up the military as the central power and aimed to unionize the different ethnic groups. As result of the convention, Burma was divided into seven states and seven divisions-each occupied by an ethnic group. The major problem that has not been addressed till this day and which has been one of the leading causes of conflict was deciding what form of government to set up. Burma would have either been introduced to a direct democracy where decisions would be made by the majority or indirect democracy where representatives are elected by citizens to make decisions. Neither of these policies were implemented because military hierarchy and ethnic Burmans are split against a great majority of other ethnic nationalities who also represent a large majority of the population.

Not only is there a barrier in decision making within the Burmese citizens, but the Military lacks meritocracy, which is defined by the encyclopedia as “a system of government based on rule by ability (merit) rather than by wealth or social position. Instead structure rule is based on cronyism- the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications but rather on favoritism (Encyclopedia of the Nations). This system hurts Burma and it citizens more than helping them. In this way brain draining is promoted as fewer intellectual Burmese Citizens and farmers are willing to stay and help progress their country since very few opportunities are provided. 

Reflection

What personal skills have you used or developed during this process?

I personal skill that I have developed during this research paper is the ability to be clear and concise. I usually like to write a lot but sometimes tend to get wordy or off topic and this research project has made avoid doing that. I have also been able to use my creativity skills by developing my own solution to a problem that I deeply care about. This skill has made my research paper unique because its giving a high school student's perspective on a global issue that affects many people. This skill will not only benefit me during my research but it will also benefit me in future projects or careers I pursue.

Reflection

What has been your most favorite or least favorite component of the course?

My most favorite component of the course is being able to interview Burmese refugees. Hearing about their experience in Burma has made me be very grateful for my life in America. They were very descriptive when explaining their life before they moved to America and the struggles  the faced with the emigrated. It kind of reminded me of my journey to America from Sudan except I did not face the same the struggles they encountered.

My least favorite component has been not being able to find good resources to use for my research. Also not being able to catch up on my blog posts has been my least favorite because I have been very busy these past couple of weeks before Spring Break. I aiming to get caught up on all my work during break.

Interview Responses

When did you move from Burma? How old where you? How did your family apply to come to the US and how long did it take to get accepted? Describe your life in Burma? What is farming like?

Response:

Name: Bei Ta Tha
Arrived in the US: December 14, 2010 
Age of Arrival: 12

"We have to go to the refuge camp or office very early in the morning about 6 or 5 and get inside to apply for it. Once we got inside the gate they will ask you why you ran away from your country, about your age, gender, about siblings and stuff like that, and you have to memorize them every time you went back to the refuge camp. You will have to tell what problem you're in at your country about all the hardships and stuff like that."

"In Burma I or my family didn't have enough money to send me to schools because we have to buy a lot of stuff with our own money and we don't really make money from jobs and working in the farm"

"I usually stay at the farm with my grandpa almost whole year and went back home on the Christmas day and some other holidays.We don't usually stay at home very much, we spend most of our time at the farm working everyday. We chopped down about 1.65 acres and burn all trees so we can get grow crops. we mostly grow corns and we have to do by our hand.Once we harvest the crops, we have to carry it on our backs all the way to our home about 3 hours walking sometime."

Although I was not able to upload the video, these were the insightful responses I got from my interview with Bei. Hearing his responses and how they were so much similar to my reach made my information even more reliable. His story was also really touching, especially about the part about about working every day all year and only seeing his family during Christmas. He was also telling about sometimes not having enough money to go back for Christmas because all of the money, if any, was sent back home to his family. Hearing his story has inspired me to want to help end world hunger and poverty even more than before.

Reflection

What suggestions or insights would you have for other students considering a similar independent study/research project?

I would 100% recommend this research project to any student with interest. Through this research project I have been able to explore a country I barley knew about before I started. To an interested student I suggest you pick a topic that interests or has some personal connection to you rather than just a topic that no one else will choose.  I also suggest you set aside a minimum of 30 minutes a day to work on research or at least outline your thinking process. You don't want to get caught up with other activities because once you fall behind on your research, it is difficult to get caught up right away. Other than that it is a great learning activity and I am extremely excited to present my research paper!

Reflection

Who have you interviewed pertaining to your topic and how has that interview aided your overall independent study/research?

I had the opportunity to interview a former Iowa Youth Institute participant, Elena Hicks who was very successful with her research paper. She provided me with very useful suggestions on what I can do to make my paper unique. Elena suggested that I stick with my country (Burma) and factor (Human Rights) because they are both unique and most people wouldn't choose them. One major suggestion she gave me was to make my paper different than a traditional research paper by making it less of a summary but more informative and personal if possible.  She also offered to review my paper and prepare me for the presentation.