The year 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Maung Shaw Loo to Bucknell. (View history.)

A semester-long series of events, "Historic Relationship, Contemporary Challenge" has been developed by a planning committee of students (including from Burma), faculty, and staff. These events seek to:

  • Celebrate the historic connection between Burma and Bucknell
  • Examine Burmese culture, history, and politics within a global context
  • Explore the ways in which educated citizens can respond to the situation in Burma and to issues of human rights and democracy around the globe
  • Recognize the centrality of global exchange and dialogue to the liberal arts experience

 

Speaker events

Thursday, March 20: Jack Healey || Story || Video
7 p.m., Trout Auditorium
“Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Burma Today”
A leader in the human rights movement for over 25 years, Healey is executive director of The Freedom Campaign, founder of Human Rights Action Center, and former executive director of Amnesty International – USA. His talk will focus on the struggle for human rights around the world through the lens of current events in Burma.

Friday, April 4: Holly Fisher || Story
7 p.m., Elaine Langone Center Forum
“Kalama Sutta: Seeing Is Believing,” a 90-minute documentary followed by Q&A
An award-winning independent filmmaker, Fisher directed “Kalama Sutta,” a documentary that includes smuggled footage and narratives from exiled leaders in the struggle for indigenous rights and democracy in Burma.

Thursday, April 17: David Steinberg || Story
7 p.m., Elaine Langone Center Forum
“Bucknell-Burma:  The Dynamics of Changed Relations Over 50 Years”
Distinguished professor of Asian studies at Georgetown University and a specialist on Burma, Steinberg has authored 13 books, more than 100 articles and book chapters, and some 250 op-eds. He visited Bucknell in 1958 when the president of Burma presented the Burma-Bucknell bowl to the University.

Other events

Feb. 14 (4 p.m.) and 21 (10 p.m.)
Film: “Inside Burma: Land of Fear” and “Don’t Fence Me In: Major Mary and the Karen Refugees from Burma” presented by the Third World Film Series in Coleman Hall 151.

Saturday, April 5: Burmese Water Festival Dinner
Terrace Room
Tickets will be made available for this event.

March 3 through April 7: Burma-Bucknell exhibit
Bertrand Library first floor
Archival photos, posters, and artifacts from Burmese students will be on display

Tuesday, April 8: Bucknell’s Diversity Celebration
2008 Burma-Bucknell Award presented to a faculty member, staff member, or student who has made outstanding contributions to intercultural and international understanding