FDB Bulletins & Statements

Facts about Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB)

1. Background  

Political activists of the 1988 pro-democracy movement in Burma, also known as the 8888 generation, have been at the forefront of the call for democracy in Burma.  For the past fifteen years it has gained experience and knowledge in various fields in the struggle to achieve democracy and human rights.  Since their arrival at the Burma border regions in the aftermath of the bloody military coup in September 1988, these activists have continued their struggle for freedom in Burma, working closely with various political organizations based along the borders.

In February 2004, six organizations, namely the All Burma Federation of Student Unions-Foreign Affairs Committee (ABFSU-FAC), the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU), the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), the Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), the People’s Defense Force (PDF), and some individuals from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), came together and unanimously agreed to form the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB).  The purpose of the FDB is to make substantial and collective efforts among the 8888 generation groups to bring forth a democratic transition that will pave the way for good governance, rule of law and justice in the country.  The FDB also aims to provide a new generation of leadership that can energize the current democratic movement, and to ensure that the views and perspectives of the new generation of Burma are heard during all phases of the democratization process.  The FDB works closely with ethnic forces, other democratic organizations and existing political alliances of the democracy movement.  

The rationale for the establishment of the FDB include the following critical and growing needs to:

·        Consolidate the strength and voices of the democratic forces in the light of current political movements;

·        Mobilize effective and capable workforces within the democratic movement collectively;

·        Facilitate strategic coordination and facilitation between the civil society groups and political organizations within the democracy movement;

·        Effectively strategize within the movement to empower the people inside Burma;

·        Promote the role of women in mainstream political movements; and

·        Provide critical analysis to the movement’s leadership on the political developments based on the reality of Burma and current international political trends.

2. Goals 

• To abolish military dictatorship in Burma

• To achieve democracy and human rights

• To attain internal peace

• To establish a democratic federal union in Burma

 3. Mission Statement 

The Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) is a democratic political coalition of organizations and individuals who have engaged in different types of struggle since 1988.  It stands as a dynamic force for the achievement of democracy and national reconciliation through effective political campaigns; by empowering people of Burma; by promoting trust and solidarity among the democratic oppositions; and by promoting the role of women. 

Strategy 

The FDB will apply various political means in order to abolish the military dictatorship in Burma.

 4. Strategic Plan for Two Years (2004-2006) 

The strategic planning workshop of the FDB was held in July 2004 and four thematic programs were developed for the years 2004-2006, with the specific aims that the FDB intends to achieve in these two years. 

Objectives

·      To build up the FDB as cohesive political force;

·      To facilitate strategic consultation and coordination within the democracy movement;

·      To empower the people for their involvements in Burma’s democratization process;

·      To pursue effective intervention and concerted efforts by the international community, including the United Nations (UN), in solving Burma's problems. 

Programs

         Capacity Building

·      Politics and development study (training and other means)

·      Upgrading of skills based on individual’s specific area of experiences

·      Rights education including gender awareness training

·      Democratic leadership training

·      Upgrading program-related skills and knowledge

            International Program

·      Build up networking and coordination with civil society groups of neighboring and regional countries for concerted civic actions to increase pressure on Burma’s regime based on peace and human security perspective

·      Build up effective coordination and cooperation with the NCUB and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) for policy lobbying

·      Report to diplomatic missions and international community regarding the political developments inside Burma

·      Study international governments' policies toward Burma and provide input

Inland

·      Research Burmese and international peoples’ movements

·      Find facts on the current situation inside Burma

·      Organize and expand underground network to mobilize the people

·      Provide activists with political training

·      Empower the inland activists and general public

·      Bring about the emergence of civic groups and subsequent actions through community organizing inside and also among the migrant workers living outside of Burma

·      Consult and coordinate with groups inside Burma

·      Mobilize to form a national political alliance inside Burma

·      Launch initiatives to attain more political space inside Burma

·      Promote the awareness of the people inside Burma regarding international mechanisms on rights protection and encourage them to utilize those mechanisms            

             Strategic Consultation and Coordination

·      Foster communications with political and activist groups inside and outside Burma

·      Exchange information and views on various policy initiatives by the political leadership

·      Facilitate development of common views and initiatives amongst various political groups 

5. Implementation Strategy 

In order to carry out the strategic plan adopted, the FDB laid out the following strategy for financial and human resource development. 

FDB will:

·        Mobilize the existing human resources of member organizations, upgrade skills, and delegate and share the works among member organizations.

·        Seek partnership with and support from capacity building resource groups for relevant program implementation.

·        Seek technical and human resources support from overseas Burmese expatriates on relevant program implementation.

·        Cooperate with the NCUB, the NCGUB, existing institutes such as Burma Lawyers’ Council (BLC), Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB), the Burma Fund and Aurora labor organization, and the National Reconciliation Program (NRP). 

·        Seek funding from various international and private donors for key components of the programs.  

6. Organizational Structure, Roles and Responsibilities

The conference of the FDB is the supreme authority, held every two years with representatives of member organizations and individuals.  

The operational structure of the FDB consists of a Policy Forum, a Secretariat and Working Committees.  

The Policy Forum is formed by two-five representatives from each member organization. Requests by individuals to participate in the Policy Forum are decided by the consensus of representatives of member organizations.  The Policy Forum is the highest authority in policy making and overseeing the performance of the Secretariat and Working Committees during the conference term.  

The Secretariat is comprised of a Secretary General, two Deputy Secretary Generals, and Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of the Working Committees.  The Secretariat is the FDB’s executive body for implementing policies and for overall management of programs directed by the conference and the Policy Forum.  

The Secretary General and two Deputies are directly elected from Policy Forum members at the conference.  The Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of working committees are elected by the Policy Forum.  These three Secretary Generals are in charge of the Secretariat and the office.  They also oversee the working committees and liaise between the FDB and its member organizations.  The changes in the formation of the Secretariat can also be made by the decision of the Policy Forum. 

For this conference term, three Working Committees, namely the Inland Working Committee, the International Relations Committee, and the Information and Media Committee have been formed.

The Information and Media Committee (IMC) is mainly responsible for media advocacy, information dissemination and coordination, and documentation.

The Inland Working Committee (IWC) is mainly working on activities inside Burma.  It is the coordinating body for inland activities of member organizations.  The IWC actively coordinates with the Political Defiance Committee of the NCUB and other groups that have networks inside Burma.

The International Relations Committee (IRC) is mainly responsible for international advocacy, lobbying, networking with Burma support groups and research on international government policies toward Burma.  

7. The Secretariat