Myanmar's International Role: More Than a Buffer State

Submission deadline: 5 January 2024

The conference is free of charge and will be held on-site at the Palacky University Olomouc in Olomouc, Czechia. The possibility for online participation is planned. The conference will start on 21 June 2024 mid-day with a (tentative) keynote speech by Catherine Renshaw from Western Sydney University, and continue with panels on Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Each panel will have a convener and a commentator who will comment on the presented papers. For the evenings, cultural events are planned. More information will be forthcoming on the program.

Conference theme

Myanmar stands as a crucial buffer state between major powers like India and China and is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite these factors, Myanmar has seemingly remained isolated, akin to an island, amidst its neighboring Asian nations and on the international stage. However, this conference wants to provide an opportunity to explore Myanmar from multiple perspectives, emphasizing that it is more than just a buffer state and has a complex and multifaceted role in regional and global dynamics. The recent coup has shed further light on the country's exposure to geopolitical developments, as the Myanmar military regime has deepened its connections with states like China and Russia. Moreover, the power struggle and ethnic conflicts within Myanmar have spilled over into neighbouring countries, compelling ASEAN to assume a more active role in addressing and mitigating these challenges. All these factors serve as evidence of the reality that Myanmar is far from being an isolated country with no impact on global dynamics. Therefore, we invite participants to delve into various aspects of Myanmar's history, culture, politics, media, human rights, and economy, as well as its role in international relations, to shed light on its unique and specific development and on its global importance. We also explicitly welcome contributions from a transnational perspective, addressing topics on Myanmar exiles and diaspora communities in Europe and other parts of the world. 

Summer school before the conference (optional)

The conference will be preceded by a summer school entitled “Navigating Geostrategic Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific: Focus on Southeast Asia and Myanmar” open to PhD and advanced Master students (more info here: https://sites.google.com/view/euvipsummerschool2024). It will take place on 17-21 June 2024 (5 days) and will be centered on great power rivalries in the Indo-Pacific and the respective strategic responses of the Southeast Asian nations. Current developments in Myanmar and regional responses to the crisis in the country will be discussed in detail. The summer school is organized by EUVIP (Palacky University) and is free of charge. 

Abstract submission

We invite papers on all aspects of Burma/Myanmar Studies. We are accepting proposals for either individual papers or whole panels (with 4-5 contributions) by January 5, 2024. Prospective participants should submit a 200-250 word abstract for individual papers as an attached Word or PDF document for his or her paper with the following information:

• presenter’s name

• affiliation

• contact information

• mode of attendance (in-person or online participation)

Each abstract should ideally include information on the following:

• the research question/goal

• methods and materials used

• and keywords

Panel organizers: please also submit a panel abstract in addition to individual abstracts for every participant on one continuous document. Send this information to info@euvip-project.com. (If you are also interested in attending the summer school please indicate this in the email, we will treat this information as preliminary, non-binding.) 

We accept the possibility of submissions made using a pseudonym.

Review and acceptance

Accepted participants and panel organisers will be notified by 15 February 2024, allowing enough time to arrange a visa to Czechia (if required). For Myanmar participants: short-term visas to Czechia are issued at the French Embassy in Yangon. If you require an invitation letter, please contact the conference conveners. 

The conference conveners look forward to seeing you in Olomouc in June 2024!

Kristina Kironska (Conference Convener)

Palacky University Olomouc

Mia Kruska (Co-Convener)

Myanmar-Institut e.V.