Burma Global Action Network
Encyclopedia
The Burma Global Action Network, also known as BGAN, is a worldwide Internet-based organization at http://www.burma-network.com, its main website. It was founded by the "Support The Monks' Protest In Burma" group on Facebook.com with 400,000 members. Its motto states, "supporting the Burmese monks and civilians through internet activism by bringing solidarity and unity to the Free Burma Movement using the latest social networking and internet technology." Burma Global Action Network (BGAN) is a new organization promoting the struggle for justice and democracy
in Burma, operating in conjunction with other, more established groups. Founded in the wake of the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests
, BGAN has initiated and organized various actions designed to raise public awareness about the situation in Burma and put pressure on governments and other stakeholders to take action on Burmese issues. It is composed of moderators from BGAN's Facebook.com group, “Support the Monks’ Protest in Burma,” founded by Jack Hidary, Imran Jamal, Sophie Lwin and other former BGAN's staff including Alex Bookbinder. This platform was established in late September, 2007, to raise awareness of the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests
. It soon became an unfounded success: at its peak, it had nearly 500,000 members, and united disparate individuals and organizations around the globe working together for the goal of a free Burma. BGAN established an official website at Burma-watch.org which is no longer online: the website has been moved to its new address where comprehensive information on all Burma campaigns and movement are compiled on one site with directions linked to other Burma resources, functioning as a 'HUB' for the democracy movement. BGAN is composed of volunteers from around the world with different nationalities and backgrounds.
border, and maintain as a core priority fund raising for these organizations, so they may better serve those who are in desperate need. Continue to raise awareness of the issues of democracy, human rights
, and freedom inside and outside Burma. Establish our place as the conduit for information for Burma related groups so that they are informed about ongoing activities and can more efficiently coordinate globalize campaigns in unity.
recipients.
October 3, 2007
To a delegation that included BGAN's former UK Coordinator, Johnny Chatterton:
, Canadian Friends of Burma
, the US Campaign for Burma, and Avaaz.org
.
oil companies Chevron Corporation
and Total S.A.
, and encouraging those companies to divest of their substantial assets in the country, which provide a direct pipeline of support to the military dictatorship at the expense of the Burmese people.
. This group is getting the latest pictures, and information out to the rest of the world of the apparent 'real' situation inside Burma of the Cyclone aftermath.
In conjunction with the Burma Campaign UK
, Canadian Friends of Burma
, the US Campaign for Burma, Info Birmanie, as well as countless local partners, a Global Day of Action for Burma a call for Humanitarian Intervention was held on May 17, 2008, in cities worldwide. A response to Military Than Shwe
and the junta's blockade of aid to the Cyclone Nargis
aftermath victims, the international community called for a Humanitarian intervention to get aid into the hardest hit areas of Burma.
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
in Burma, operating in conjunction with other, more established groups. Founded in the wake of the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests
2007 Burmese anti-government protests
The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma on 15 August 2007...
, BGAN has initiated and organized various actions designed to raise public awareness about the situation in Burma and put pressure on governments and other stakeholders to take action on Burmese issues. It is composed of moderators from BGAN's Facebook.com group, “Support the Monks’ Protest in Burma,” founded by Jack Hidary, Imran Jamal, Sophie Lwin and other former BGAN's staff including Alex Bookbinder. This platform was established in late September, 2007, to raise awareness of the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests
2007 Burmese anti-government protests
The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma on 15 August 2007...
. It soon became an unfounded success: at its peak, it had nearly 500,000 members, and united disparate individuals and organizations around the globe working together for the goal of a free Burma. BGAN established an official website at Burma-watch.org which is no longer online: the website has been moved to its new address where comprehensive information on all Burma campaigns and movement are compiled on one site with directions linked to other Burma resources, functioning as a 'HUB' for the democracy movement. BGAN is composed of volunteers from around the world with different nationalities and backgrounds.
Mission
- To launch and promote global campaigns in support of the Burmese people and Burma's democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
movement as a whole through social media.
- To compile and distribute information about the humanitarian, judicial and political situation in Burma to pro-democracy stakeholders worldwide.
- To disseminate the updates and the outcomes of Burma-related initiatives from all global Burma supporting organizations through social media.
Overview
It serves as a hub group for the myriad of Burma organizations operating worldwide in disparate fields related to the Burmese democracy movement. Forging connections through networking and mutual cooperation and Improving the effectiveness and strengthening the voice of the movement around the world. Research, compile and distribute information about the humanitarian, judicial and political situation in Burma to pro-democracy stakeholders worldwide. Harnessing our members’ vast expertise in different areas to serve as a global think-tank dedicated solely to Burma-related issues. Disseminate updates and outcomes regarding Burma-related initiatives and continue to forge greater links with charitable organizations operating on the Burma-ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
border, and maintain as a core priority fund raising for these organizations, so they may better serve those who are in desperate need. Continue to raise awareness of the issues of democracy, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, and freedom inside and outside Burma. Establish our place as the conduit for information for Burma related groups so that they are informed about ongoing activities and can more efficiently coordinate globalize campaigns in unity.
Achievements
- In conjunction with the Burma Campaign UKBurma Campaign UKBurma Campaign UK founded in 1991 is a London based Non Governmental Organisation that aims to achieve the 'restoration of human rights and democracy in Burma . BCUK campaigns on behalf of the Burmese pro-democracy movement and is the largest campaigning organisation for Burma in Europe...
, Canadian Friends of BurmaCanadian Friends of BurmaCanadian Friends of Burma is a federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization founded in 1991.- Objectives :...
, the US Campaign for Burma and Avaaz.orgAvaaz.orgAvaaz.org is a global civic organization launched in January 2007 that promotes activism on issues such as climate change, human rights, corruption, poverty, and conflict...
, as well as countless local partners, a Global Day of Action for BurmaGlobal Day of Action for BurmaGlobal Day of Action for Burma was an initiative by Burma Campaign UK and The Support The Monks Protest In Burma group on Facebook.com who called, during the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests, for October 6, 2007 to be designated a "Global Day of Action for Burma" beginning at 12:00 noon...
was held on October 6, 2007, in cities worldwide. The LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
demonstration alone had more than 10,000 participants; tens of thousands participated in events worldwide. It remains one of the largest simultaneous events coordinated primarily over the internet, and can be a considered a significant milestone in the history of internet activismInternet activismInternet activism is the use of electronic communication technologies such as e-mail, the World Wide Web, and podcasts for various forms of activism to enable faster communications by citizen movements and the delivery of local information to a large audience...
for its novel usage of social networking technology.
- It also coordinated a global day of action with the emphasis on freeing Burma’s political prisoners. “Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
Day” was held on October 24, 2007, which marked the date on which Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
had spent 12 years under house arrest.
- Its most significant user-uploaded media campaign is the website Don’t Forget Burma. Designed to combat the lull in Burma-related coverage in the international media following the crackdown on demonstrators in October, Don’t Forget Burma was designed as a viral campaign where concerned citizens can upload messages of support for the Burmese cause and try to keep Burma in the media spotlight and public consciousness.
- It also launched a campaign urging consumers to boycott oil companies Chevron CorporationChevron CorporationChevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
and Total S.A.Total S.A.Total S.A. is a French multinational oil company and one of the six "Supermajor" oil companies in the world.Its businesses cover the entire oil and gas chain, from crude oil and natural gas exploration and production to power generation, transportation, refining, petroleum product marketing, and...
, and encouraging those companies to divest of their substantial assets in the country, which provide a direct pipeline of support to the military dictatorshipMilitary dictatorshipA military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
at the expense of the Burmese people.
- Berkman Center for Internet & SocietyBerkman Center for Internet & SocietyThe Berkman Center for Internet & Society is a research center at Harvard University that focuses on the study of cyberspace. Founded at Harvard Law School, the center traditionally focused on internet-related legal issues. On May 15, 2008, the Center was elevated to an interfaculty initiative of...
At Harvard Law SchoolHarvard Law SchoolHarvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
invited BGAN to its "Berkman in Turkey: Internet And Democracy Digital Activism Event" in IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
in February 2008 to speak about BGAN's "Support The Monks' Protest In Burma" group on facebook.com's success in globally spreading and mobilizing democracy activism using social networking.
- In conjunction with the Burma Campaign UKBurma Campaign UKBurma Campaign UK founded in 1991 is a London based Non Governmental Organisation that aims to achieve the 'restoration of human rights and democracy in Burma . BCUK campaigns on behalf of the Burmese pro-democracy movement and is the largest campaigning organisation for Burma in Europe...
, Canadian Friends of BurmaCanadian Friends of BurmaCanadian Friends of Burma is a federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization founded in 1991.- Objectives :...
, the US Campaign for Burma, Info Birmanie, as well as countless local partners, a Global Day of Action for Burma a call for Humanitarian Intervention was held on May 17, 2008, in cities worldwide. A response to Military Than ShweThan ShweSenior General Than Shwe is a Burmese military leader and politician who was chairman of the State Peace and Development Council from 1992 to 2011. During the period, he held key positions of power including commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces and head of Union Solidarity and...
and the junta's blockade of aid to the Cyclone NargisCyclone NargisCyclone Nargis , was a strong tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Burma. The cyclone made landfall in Burma on Friday, May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 138,000 fatalities...
aftermath victims, the international community called for a Humanitarian intervention to get aid into the hardest hit areas of Burma.
- FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, GoogleGoogleGoogle Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, HowcastHowcastHowcast is a website that provides instructional short-form how-to video and text content that combines practical information with various filmmaking techniques such as humor, claymation and animation...
, Columbia Law SchoolColumbia Law SchoolColumbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
and the United States Department of StateUnited States Department of StateThe United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
invited BGAN to its three day “Alliance of Youth Movements Summit” in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
at Columbia Law School in December 2008 to speak about BGAN's success in mobilizing a global movement for Burma and its success with their "Support The Monks' Protest In Burma" group/page on facebook.com in globally spreading and mobilizing democracy activism using social networking. Only ten organizations from around the world were invited to attend such as Save Darfur Coalition and Invisible Children. Major figureheads such as Whoopi GoldbergWhoopi GoldbergWhoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
of ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
’s The View, Dustin MoskovitzDustin MoskovitzDustin Moskovitz is an American internet entrepreneur who co-founded the social networking website Facebook along with Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin and Chris Hughes. Moskovitz owns a 6% share of Facebook. He is also a co-founder and the CEO of Asana. Moskovitz is Jewish...
, Co-Founder, FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, James K. GlassmanJames K. GlassmanJames K. Glassman is an American conservative editorialist, journalist, diplomat and author. He is currently the host of the television program Ideas in Action, which airs on PBS member stations across the country. On December 11, 2007 Glassman was nominated by President George W...
, Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Oscar Morales, Founder, One Million Voices Against the FARC, Luke RussertLuke RussertLuke Russert is an American television and radio personality. He has followed in the footsteps of his father, Tim Russert, who was prominent in the television news industry. His mother is Maureen Orth, special correspondent for Vanity Fair. He has co-hosted a sports talk program on XM radio with...
, MSNBCMSNBCMSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
, Matthew Waxman, Associate Professor of Law, Columbia Law School. The event was hosted at Columbia Law School with MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
hosting a red carpet party for the attendants at their time square New York location.
Messages Of Support
It received messages from Celebrities, politicians, and Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
recipients.
- A message of Support from Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
winner Elie WieselElie WieselSir Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE; born September 30, 1928) is a Hungarian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz, Buna, and...
:
“I am thrilled to learn that so many young people, more than 350,000 so far, have so movingly responded to the Burmese people’s courageous struggle for freedom and dignity. You are their hope and ours.” - Elie WieselElie WieselSir Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE; born September 30, 1928) is a Hungarian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz, Buna, and...
- From Yoko Ono Lennon, Issued via a Facebook.com group, "Support the Monks" Protest In Burma
"There is no way we will forget you. Now that your work of letting the world know is done, I wish you to stay alive in peace and health. The world desperately need your wise and gentle spirit. You help all people of this planet by just being. Please try to be alive for the world. I will try the same. With my deepest respect and love, Yoko Ono Lennon."
October 3, 2007
- BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Prime ministerPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Gordon BrownGordon BrownJames Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
- October 17, 2007,
To a delegation that included BGAN's former UK Coordinator, Johnny Chatterton:
"I'll do everything I can to help the people of Burma"
Don't Forget Burma Campaign
Its most significant user-uploaded media campaign is the website Don’t Forget Burma. Designed to combat the lull in Burma-related coverage in the international media following the crackdown on demonstrators in October, Don’t Forget Burma was designed as a viral campaign where concerned citizens can upload messages of support for the Burmese cause and try to keep Burma in the media spotlight and public consciousness, the website currently has over 300 pictures from people around the world with a message 'Don't forget Burma'. This campaign was launched in conjunction with the Burma Campaign UKBurma Campaign UK
Burma Campaign UK founded in 1991 is a London based Non Governmental Organisation that aims to achieve the 'restoration of human rights and democracy in Burma . BCUK campaigns on behalf of the Burmese pro-democracy movement and is the largest campaigning organisation for Burma in Europe...
, Canadian Friends of Burma
Canadian Friends of Burma
Canadian Friends of Burma is a federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization founded in 1991.- Objectives :...
, the US Campaign for Burma, and Avaaz.org
Avaaz.org
Avaaz.org is a global civic organization launched in January 2007 that promotes activism on issues such as climate change, human rights, corruption, poverty, and conflict...
.
Boycott Chevron and Total Oil Companies
BGAN has launched a campaign urging consumers to boycottBoycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
oil companies Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
and Total S.A.
Total S.A.
Total S.A. is a French multinational oil company and one of the six "Supermajor" oil companies in the world.Its businesses cover the entire oil and gas chain, from crude oil and natural gas exploration and production to power generation, transportation, refining, petroleum product marketing, and...
, and encouraging those companies to divest of their substantial assets in the country, which provide a direct pipeline of support to the military dictatorship at the expense of the Burmese people.
Cyclone Nargis
It's recently created a Facebook.com page called Support the Relief Efforts for Burma (Myanmar) Cyclone Disaster Victims with 11,500 plus members in response to the Cyclone NargisCyclone Nargis
Cyclone Nargis , was a strong tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Burma. The cyclone made landfall in Burma on Friday, May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 138,000 fatalities...
. This group is getting the latest pictures, and information out to the rest of the world of the apparent 'real' situation inside Burma of the Cyclone aftermath.
In conjunction with the Burma Campaign UK
Burma Campaign UK
Burma Campaign UK founded in 1991 is a London based Non Governmental Organisation that aims to achieve the 'restoration of human rights and democracy in Burma . BCUK campaigns on behalf of the Burmese pro-democracy movement and is the largest campaigning organisation for Burma in Europe...
, Canadian Friends of Burma
Canadian Friends of Burma
Canadian Friends of Burma is a federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization founded in 1991.- Objectives :...
, the US Campaign for Burma, Info Birmanie, as well as countless local partners, a Global Day of Action for Burma a call for Humanitarian Intervention was held on May 17, 2008, in cities worldwide. A response to Military Than Shwe
Than Shwe
Senior General Than Shwe is a Burmese military leader and politician who was chairman of the State Peace and Development Council from 1992 to 2011. During the period, he held key positions of power including commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces and head of Union Solidarity and...
and the junta's blockade of aid to the Cyclone Nargis
Cyclone Nargis
Cyclone Nargis , was a strong tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Burma. The cyclone made landfall in Burma on Friday, May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 138,000 fatalities...
aftermath victims, the international community called for a Humanitarian intervention to get aid into the hardest hit areas of Burma.
External links
- Burma Global Action Network Main page
- Don't Forget Burma Campaign
- Burma Global Action Network Official Myspace Page
- Support The Monks' Protest In Burma Official Page on Facebook.com
- BGAN on Twitter.com