A Public Address by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi | Institute of Politics | Summary and Q&A

Transcript

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Summary

This video features a lecture by Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She discusses the importance of preparing citizens to live in a free society, especially in countries transitioning towards democracy. She emphasizes the need for citizens to take responsibility for their actions and choices, and highlights the practical ways in which her party, the National League for Democracy, has been teaching the Burmese people to be responsible and engaged citizens.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Aung San Suu Kyi emphasize the importance of preparing citizens for a free society?

Aung San Suu Kyi believes that in order for a democracy to thrive, citizens need to be actively engaged and take responsibility for their actions and choices. By preparing citizens to be responsible and engaged, a society can ensure that its citizens are actively participating in the democratic process and contributing to the development of a free society.

Q: How did Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy, prepare the Burmese people to be responsible citizens?

Aung San Suu Kyi explains that when her party decided to contest by-elections, they took a simple message to the people: that they have the right to vote and it is their duty to exercise that right. They explained the importance of voting and making an informed choice for the candidate that best represents their constituency. They also taught the people how to vote and ensure their votes are valid. In this way, they were teaching the people the basics of democratic practice and the importance of taking responsibility for their choices.

Q: What were some of the challenges in preparing the Burmese people to be responsible citizens?

Aung San Suu Kyi mentions that many people in Burma were afraid of being seen in contact with her party, as they feared reprisals from the authorities. The party had to assure the people that they would not be punished for voting for their preferred candidate and emphasize the secret nature of voting. She also mentioned the lack of trust in the authorities, which made it difficult for people to believe that their votes would truly be counted and wouldn't result in punishment. Overcoming these challenges required clear communication and building trust with the people.

Q: What were some of the practical ways Aung San Suu Kyi's party engaged the Burmese people in the democratic process?

Aung San Suu Kyi explains that her party started with small projects that addressed the basic needs of the villagers, such as roads, water, electricity, education, and healthcare. For example, they initiated projects to dig wells in villages, but laid down rules for the villagers to follow, such as choosing a location accessible to all and forming a committee to take care of the maintenance. By involving the villagers in these projects and making them responsible for their own communities, her party aimed to teach them the values of citizenship and taking responsibility for the well-being of their communities.

Q: How did Aung San Suu Kyi maintain her strength and perseverance during her time under house arrest?

Aung San Suu Kyi says that she didn't think of herself as the center of the world, but rather focused on others. She thought of her colleagues who were separated from her and faced imprisonment. She also mentioned the support she received from people all over the world, which encouraged her to keep going. By focusing on others and their struggles, she found the strength to persevere.

Q: How did Aung San Suu Kyi explain the desire for democracy in Burma?

Aung San Suu Kyi mentions that while many Burmese people may not fully understand democracy, they know that they do not like living under a military regime. People were tired of feeling oppressed and fearful, and wanted the freedom to lead their lives in peace and security. They saw democracy as a means to achieve these aspirations.

Q: How did the Burmese people respond to the involvement of the United States in their struggle for democracy?

Aung San Suu Kyi explains that the Burmese people have great admiration for the United States as a champion of democracy. They see the United States as a role model and believe that engagement with the United States could potentially improve their economic situation. They view the United States as a partner in their quest for democracy and envision stronger ties between the two nations.

Q: Why has Aung San Suu Kyi been reluctant to speak out against human rights violations in the Rakhine state?

Aung San Suu Kyi clarifies that she condemns all human rights violations, not just those in the Rakhine state. She mentions that there have been violations on both sides of the communal divide, and it is important to recognize the sufferings of both communities. She believes in giving the government-appointed commission a chance to investigate the situation and does not want to fan the flames of anger or create division between communities.

Q: How does Aung San Suu Kyi envision her evolving leadership role now that she is also working within the government?

Aung San Suu Kyi sees herself as a politician and a worker, and not just an icon. She emphasizes the importance of hard work and continuing her political work, which she has been doing since 1988. She sees herself as part of the political process and is focused on leading and working towards the development of a democratic society in Burma.

Q: What lessons can other countries attempting to democratize learn from Burma?

Aung San Suu Kyi mentions the value of negotiation and compromise in the democratization process. She believes that countries transitioning towards democracy can learn from Burma's experience and the importance of negotiating and compromising to build a strong democracy. She points out that negotiation and compromise can be challenging in some cultures, but they are essential for building a democratic society.

Q: What is the situation with property rights in Burma and how do they relate to the development of democracy?

Aung San Suu Kyi acknowledges that property rights and other rights are important in the development of democracy. However, she highlights the lack of a strong, independent judiciary in Burma, which is necessary for protecting property rights. Without a judiciary that is clean and independent, democracy cannot be established on strong foundations. She emphasizes the need to work towards reestablishing the rule of law in Burma to secure property rights and other rights for the citizens.

Takeaways

In her lecture, Aung San Suu Kyi emphasizes the importance of preparing citizens to live in a free society. She encourages citizens to take responsibility for their actions and choices, and highlights practical ways in which her party has been teaching the Burmese people to be responsible and engaged citizens. She also discusses the challenges of transitioning towards democracy and the importance of negotiation and compromise. Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership role extends beyond being an icon and she sees herself as a politician and a worker dedicated to building a democratic society.