Unchain Burma: A New Generation of Burmese Activists in Canada

Following the 01 February 2021 coup d'état, a sense of urgency has pushed young Burmese in Canada to organize themselves. In several provinces, associations were created, events were organized, and increasingly strong voices were heard. These new social leaders have been contacting elected officials and influencing policies, conducting investigations, initiating awareness campaigns, fundraisings, etc. Aware of the gap that separates them from the older generations, especially on the Rohingya issue, these young activists are laying the foundation for a new sociopolitical movement. While each participant has a unique path to socio-political engagement, these paths are largely based on the same trigger and are littered with similar trials and learning.

The roundtable aims to give a voice to them, by reflecting on a variety of questions: How and why does one gets involved in a sociopolitical movement, despite the distance from its country of origin? What are the main challenges and difficulties associated with this engagement? How are these new forms of sociopolitical activism perceived within the Canadian-based Myanmar communities? What are the internal issues at the community and organizational levels? What are the challenges of inter-organizational coordination? How does this participation change the relationship of these young leaders with their country of origin?