Abstract
This chapter aims to discuss the importance of civil society initiatives to protect and promote children’s rights in Myanmar. First, an overview of the contributions made by Northern and Southern CSOs is provided to highlight the differences and challenges unique to civil society in Myanmar. Then, a comparative case study based on two representative civil society groups in the education and health sectors is presented in relation to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to shed light on their roles, scope, and capacity for securing the rights of these marginalized children. Having looked into the common areas of coverage, this chapter argues that their major initiatives can be recognized within the five components—protection, assurance, provision, creation, and promotion.
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Notes
- 1.
The classic theories of civil society were discussed by Ferguson (1767), Gramsci (1948), Hegel (1821), Locke (1689, 1690), Paine (1791–1792), and Tocqueville (1835–1840). More recent literature on the subject are covered by Arato and Cohen (1992), Gellner (1994), Hall, Harbeson, Rothchild, and Chazan (1994), Keane (1998), Seligman (1992), and Shils (1991) as cited in Rooy, A. V. (1998b). Civil society as idea: An analytical hatstand? In A. V. Rooy (Ed.), Civil society and the aid industry (pp. 6–30). London: Earthscan.
- 2.
BRINGO (Briefcase NGO) refers to an NGO which is no more than a briefcase carrying a well written proposal. ComeN’GO (Come and go NGO) is an NGO that appears spasmodically, only used by the owners when the NGO pasture looks greener. CONGO (Commercial NGO) is the NGOs set up by businesses to participate in bids, help win contracts, and reduce taxation. CRINGO (Criminal NGO) is an organization established for illegal purposes, especially import-export (i.e., smuggling), common in transition economies. DONGO (Donor NGO) is the one created and owned by donors to do their job while shifting overhead costs outside. FANGO (Fake NGO) is referred to an NGO used as a front for something else, not uncommon in Eastern Europe. GONGO (Government-Owned NGO) is the type of GRINGO used to captured or redirect non-profit funds allocated by the official aid system while GRINGO (Government-Run and Initiated NGO) is a variation of QUANGO, but with the function of countering the actions of real NGDOs, common in Africa. MANGO (Mafia NGO) is a criminal NGO providing services of the money laundering, enforcement and protection variety, prevalent in Eastern Europe. MONGO (My Own NGO) is referred to an NGO which is the personal property of an individual, often dominated by his or her ego. NGI (Non-Governmental Individual) is a person who operates as if he or she is an NGO but without an organizational affiliation. PANGO (Party NGO) is an aspiring, defeated, or banned political party or politician dressed as an NGO, species of Central Asia and Indo-China. PHANGO (Phantom NGO) is an NGO existing only in the mind of the speaker, used to bolster an argument. PONGO (Politician’s NGO) is established to capture or direct NGO funding to the home constituency as a defense against incursion by opponents. QUANGO (Quasi NGO) is a para-state body set up by government as an NGO, often to enable better conditions of service or create political distance.
- 3.
Dr. Cynthia Maung and MTC have received more than 20 awards from many different countries. Among these awards, the one especially related to children is “World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC) Honorary Award (Sweden),” awarded by Children’s World Association.
- 4.
The Child Development Center (CDC) was established in 1997, originally for MTC’s staff, and now provides education from primary level up to grade 12 to displaced and migrant children regardless of their background. It has some of its own boarding facilities, as well as supporting other local boarding houses.
- 5.
The providers of alternative education, such as community-based schools, faith-based schools (mainly those established by the Christian church), and mobile education, are mainly local civil society and religious groups. Provision of education largely depends on external support and the capacity of local civil society.
- 6.
CRC Article 4: Protection of rights, 6: Survival and development, 19: Protection from all forms of violence, 20: Children deprived of family environment, 21: Adoption, 22: Refugee children, 26: Social security, 27: Adequate standard of living.
- 7.
CRC Article 24: Health and health services, 28: Right to education, 29: Goals of education, 31: Leisure, play and culture, 42: Knowledge of rights.
- 8.
CRC Article 2: Non-discrimination, 30: Children of minorities/indigenous groups.
- 9.
CRC Article 7: Registration, name, nationality, care, 8: Preservation of identity.
- 10.
CRC Article 5: Parental guidance, 18: Parental responsibility.
- 11.
CRC Article 25: Review of treatment in care.
- 12.
CRC Article 22: Refugee children, 39: Rehabilitation of child victims.
- 13.
CRC Article 4: Protection of rights, 11: Kidnapping, 32: Child labor, 33: Drug abuse, 34: Sexual exploitation, 35: Abduction, sale and trafficking, 36: Other forms of exploitation, 38: War and armed conflicts, Op. 1: Involvement of children in armed conflict, Op. 2: Sale of children, child prostitution and pornography.
- 14.
The health expenditure (% of GDP) increased from 1.98% in 2013 to 4.95% in 2015 whereas the world average was 9.9% in 2015. The expenditure on education (% of GDP) also increased from 0.79% in 2011 to 2.12% in 2017 while the world average expenditure on education was 4.9% in 2014 (World Bank, 2018a, 2018b).
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Takeda, M. (2020). Community-Based Initiatives for Securing Rights of Myanmar’s Children: A Border Region Clinic and a Monastic School. In: Women, Children and Social Transformation in Myanmar. Palgrave Pivot, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0821-9_4
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