The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Awards Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the Elie Wiesel Award

The Elie Wiesel Tribute dinner was held to honor leaders who have made a difference in their communities and for humanity. Elie Wiesel himself is a fellow Nobel Laureate and a Holocaust survivor who had seen the brutality of mankind during the Holocaust, yet his faith stayed intact. This year, the United States Holocaust museum bestowed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the honor of the Elie Wiesel award for her struggle towards democracy in non-violent means as she continues to fight- unshaken.

Elie Wiesel: “She’s an extraordinary human being with ideals and ideas. And all of these ideals and ideas are all there- not only for her own sake but for her country. And beyond that, to all of the people- men and women – anywhere and everywhere in the world- where ever people suffer. She is part of my consciousness – of my moral obligations. She should know that she’s not alone.”

Like Elie Wiesel, Ms. Gerda Weissman Klein is a Holocaust survivor, and she has experienced atrocities unimaginable. As she recalls the cruelty of mankind during the time of the Nazis, she also remembers the strength and resilience of the Jewish people which gave her as well as others freedom inevitably.

Ms. Gerda Weissman Klein: ” You, Madame, so far away in Burma, must know that you have inspired all those who look to the moon and who look to you who has been the guiding stars to so many who have lived in peril and in slavery. I too, have been deprived of freedom for 6 years in Nazi, Germany. Emptiness can be so heavy. How cries of pain can be so silent, yet you Madame are in every heart, every thought- of those present here tonight and all those who have worked for freedom and to the millions who are still yearning for freedom.”

Despite the despair that the memory of the Holocaust brings, ultimately, the night echoed the theme of courage and hope. Actress, Natalie Portman bestowed the Elie Viesel award to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by reading a speech of hers from her book,“ Freedom from Fear”.

Natalie Portman: ” Here is what she said: It is not power that corrupts, but fear. It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it…”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had words of her own for the tribute dinner. She spoke via a pre-recorded video.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: “There are certain things we must not forget, because we would not like these to be repeated in the future. And I thank and honor all of you who are trying to make known to the world- what should not happen again. And individuals can make all the difference- individuals who survive in spite of the greatest cruelty – in spite of the greatest trials and to teach other people that it’s possible to survive. And to you all who have not only survived but helped others to survive – by speaking of your experiences- and by teaching them how to be brave and how NOT to lose your integrity in the face of the greatest difficulty. I would like to say, “ Thank you. I honor you. I respect you. And I hope that I too will be able to be like you.”

With on going talks between the United States and Burma, White House Chief of Staff, Jack Lew spoke of the Lady of Burma.

Jack Lew: ” Many times Daw Suu could’ve decided that she had done enough that it was someone else’s turn to sacrifice. But she refused to give up. Instead she continued to inspire the entire world with her faith in nonviolent action and her belief that freedom would ultimately prove greater than tyranny.”

The dinner was a successful charity event, which honored the lives that were lost during the Holocaust and commemorated the past while at the same time reassuring that such a tragedy never happens again. As the United States and the Western world is reaching out to engage in Burma’s new transition to democracy, all eyes are on the Lady of Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with her extensive belief in the nation’s reform towards freedom.

English Version:

Burmese Version:

Producers: Thet Su Naing/ Kaye Lin

Assistant Producer: Lwin Nyein Chan Kyaw

Reporters: Thet Su Naing / Kaye Lin

Videography: Lwin Nyein Chan Kyaw / Kaye Lin

Chins in Mizoram State

Thousands of ethnics flee Burma also known as Myanmar to escape persecution. They seek refuge in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and India. 100,000 ethnic refugees from Burma live in the Mizoram state of India. The Chins are constantly persecuted and run to their neighboring countries to seek refugee status, but find themselves being shunned by their new society as well.

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Burmese Version:

 

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Burma Gains New Friends

Burma, a country that has been under a rigid military dictatorship for nearly five decades is seemingly on the road to reform. With Western leaders coming in to the country, from US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton to French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, Burma’s old foes are looking more like new comrades.

The government recently released 200 political prisoners as part of an amnesty that aligns with the demands that Hillary Clinton made on her trip to Burma. U.S. President Barack Obama says that Burma’s latest action is, “ a substantial step forward for democratic reform”, and the Obama administration responded by saying that it is taking progressive steps to send an Ambassador to Burma.

With news of Burma’s amnesty, Norway also released a statement on the decision that it will lift trade and investment sanctions imposed on the country. A long time critic of the military junta, US Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, visited Burma recently and said that due to country’s steps toward reform, the US may be open for more engagement in the country. McConnell cosponsored the economic sanction against the country, and reminds that the government has to keep its efforts in ending political repression and ethnic persecution.

The Burmese government also made other reforms, ending the world’s longest running civil war. The government signed a cease-fire agreement with the ethnic rebel group, the Karen National Union. The KNU has been fighting for autonomy for over 60 years. However, analysts of Burma are skeptical of the peace agreement, stating that a true end to the conflict will not solidify soon enough.

Although the West has applauded Burma for its reform efforts, critics are skeptical of the country’s intentions, saying that a lot more has to be done in the nation. For now Burma, with its new reform measures – such as granting amnesty, signing the peace agreement with ethnic rebels, giving Internet access and legalizing the main opposition party -is gaining new friends.

Scholarships for Women and Women’s Education

It is statistically proven that educating young women proves access to economic opportunities for the woman, her family and even her community. Founder of Scholarships for Burma, Kirk Acevedo tells VOA about his organization and his support in empowering people everywhere through education.

 

Acevedo met a young Burmese woman, Ying who has gone through many hardships in her life and whose one wish was to go to college. 7 months after Acevedo began his foundation, he has collected over $21,000 for Ying to go to college. Ying only needs $6,000 to make her dreams a reality. Watch the video and see why empowering women is access to real equality. You can donate to Scholarships for Burma here: scholarshipsforburma