Singapore, 8 May 2018 (Tuesday) – The Singapore Management University (SMU) yesterday organised a full day symposium at the SMU Hall to discuss the Rakhine Crisis.

Recognising the complex nature of the current crisis in the Rakhine State of Myanmar and the multi-dimensional impact and consequences it can have for the region, SMU has organised the symposium to provide a safe and collaborative platform for invited experts and stakeholders from a spectrum of concerned sectors to exchange views, deepen understanding of the issues at stake and identify initiatives to move things forward.

About 90 guests comprising diplomats, government representatives, academics and heads from think tanks, humanitarian NGOs, philanthropists and business investors listened to 20 panelists and presenters give their perspectives and reflections on the Rakhine situation. The session was held under Chatham House Rules to facilitate frank and genuine discussion on controversial or difficult issues by speakers who may not have otherwise had the appropriate forum to speak freely with the assurance of anonymity to encourage openness and free discussion.

SMU’s Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping, remarked in his opening address, “We are indeed honoured to hold this symposium here at SMU to promote constructive discourse and ethnic and religious diversity and tolerance. The Rakhine Crisis is no longer an internal matter nor is it the politics of another country. This crisis is something that is not fully understood and it is imperative that SMU as a thought leader takes an active role in trying to increase a better understanding of the situation which impacts ASEAN and the region.

Dr Noeleen Heyzer, SMU’s Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Fellow and member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation, who played a key role in envisioning the symposium, said, “The timing of this symposium is ideal as there is an increasing sense of urgency and openness among all parties involved to find a way forward in resolving the Rakhine crisis. Through this sharing session, we hope that this network of concerned individuals and groups in the region can contribute to ongoing and emerging efforts to move the Rakhine towards a sustainable solution.”

Said Dr Thant Myint-U, Historian, Writer, and former Advisor to President of Myanmar, "The Rakhine crisis is a humanitarian and human rights disaster that can derail Myanmar's long hoped for transitions to peace, prosperity and democratic government. At this critical juncture, it's absolutely urgent to try to find meaningful steps forward, however small, recognising the complexity of the issues and inflamed sensitivities involved. Gatherings like this conference can help identify those steps, however small, and, as importantly, help imagine a future that will be better for everyone."

Said Ambassador U Win Mra, Chairperson of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission and member of the Rakhine Commission for the implementation of Recommendations from the Kofi Annan Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State, “As a member of Kofi Annan Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, it's an honour and a privilege to be a speaker on the subject of implementation of the Commission's recommendations at this symposium. The symposium provided me with a platform to discuss on the challenges, opportunities and the progress so far achieved in implementing the recommendations. Successful implementation of the recommendations will eventually lead towards achieving a lasting peace and development in Rakhine State. Innovative ideas and thoughts from the discussions are helpful in finding a way out of the stalemated situation in the Rakhine State."

Said Lieutenant General (retired) Agus Widjojo, Governor of Lemhannas, National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia, "I extend my highest appreciation to SMU for organising such an important symposium to discuss the Rakhine crisis. It is timely to organise such a symposium considering the (non) progress of the crisis. The composition of speakers coming from a spectrum of related sectors made it possible to come up with a comprehensive solution to resolve the humanitarian crisis. I am honoured to have been invited to such an important symposium”.

The symposium ended on a positive note which saw the audience and speakers from various countries including Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore giving their insights and recommendations on how we could rethink our engagement for sustainable solutions to the Rakhine Crisis.

[Featured photo - From L-R: Dr Kyaw Yin Hlaing, Director, Centre for Diversity and National Harmony; Dr Seree Nonthasoot, The Representative of Thailand to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights; Daw Pyone Kathy Naing, Member of Parliament Lower House (Pyithu Hluttaw); Member of the International Relation Parliamentary Committee and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Joint Committee; and Chair of International Relation Task Force, Union Enterprises of Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development in Rakhine-UEHRD; Dr Michael Vatikiotis, Asia Regional Director, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Ms Janet Lim, SMU Fellow and Former Assistant High Commissioner (Operations), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Professor Lily Kong, SMU Provost & Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences; Dr Thant Myint U, Historian; Writer; and Former Advisor to President of Myanmar; Dr Noeleen Heyzer, SMU Distinguished Fellow and Former United Nations Under-Secretary General; Ambassador U Win Mra, Chairperson of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission and member of the Rakhine Commission for the implementation of Recommendations from the Kofi Annan Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State; Mr Ho Kwon Ping, SMU Chairman;  Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President; Dr Richard Horsey, Myanmar Advisor, International Crisis Group; Ms Lilianne Fan, Deputy Chair, Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN); Chair, Task Force on the Rohingya Crisis, APRRN; and Co-Founder, Geutanyoë Foundation; Dr Meghna Guhathakurta, Executive Director, Research Initiatives, Bangladesh; Dr Tin Htut Oo, Chairman, National Economic and Social Advisory Council to the Former President of Myanmar; Mr Indrika Ratwatte, Director, Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Al Haj U Aye Lwin, Member, Kofi Annan Advisory Commission on the Rakhine State and Founding Member Religions of Peace, Chief Convener Islamic Centre of Myanmar; Pak Suriyatno, First Assistant of Government and Public Welfare of Kota Langsa – Aceh, Indonesia; and, Lieutenant General (retired) Agus Widjojo, Governor of Lemhannas, National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia. Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU and Former Secretary-General, ASEAN also spoke at the event, however he is not in the photo.]