Burma Global Action Network

The Burma Global Action Network, also known as BGAN, is a world-wide Internet-based organization at http://www.burma-network.com, its main website. Its motto states, "supporting the Burmese monks and civilians through mainly internet activism by brining 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. [ [http://www.burma-network.com Burma Global Action Network Main page] ] It is composed of moderators from the Facebook.com group, “Support the Monks’ Protest in Burma,” founded by a Canadian backpacker-turned-activist, Alex Bookbinder. This platform was established in late September, 2007, to raise awareness of the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests. It soon became an unqualifiedclarifyme|date=August 2008 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. BGAN is composed of volunteers from around the world with different nationalities and backgrounds. [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0710/06/cnr.02.html CNN Interview about Support the Monks' Protest] ] .

Mission

*To launch and promote global campaigns in support of the Burmese people and Burma's democracy movement as a whole

*To compile and distribute information about the humanitarian, judicial and political situation in Burma to pro-democracy stakeholders world-wide.

*To disseminate the updates and the outcomes of Burma-related initiatives from all global Burma supporting organizations.

*To provide humanitarian and legal aid to Burmese refugees and asylum seekers world-wide through existing Burma aid organizations.

Overview

It serves as an umbrella group for the myriad of Burma organizations operating world-wide 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 world-wide. 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-Thailand 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.

Achievements

*In conjunction with the Burma Campaign UK, Canadian Friends of Burma, the US Campaign for Burma and Avaaz.org, as well as countless local partners, a Global Day of Action for Burma was held on October 6, 2007, in cities worldwide. The London 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 activism for its novel usage of social networking technology. [Global Day of Action for Burma]

*It also coordinated a global day of action with the emphasis on freeing Burma’s political prisoners. “Aung San Suu Kyi Day” was held on October 24, 2007, which marked the date on which Aung San Suu Kyi had spent 12 years under house arrest. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7059318.stm BBC News 'Rallies held for detained Suu Kyi'] ]

*It's most significant user-uploaded media campaign is the website [http://www.dontforgetburma.org 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. [ [http://www.dontforgetburma.org Don't forget Burma Campaign] ]

*It also launched a campaign urging consumers to boycott 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. [ [http://garybaumgarten.blogspot.com/2007/11/burma-global-action-network-activist-on.html The Gary Baumgarten Report] ]

Messages Of Support

It received messages from Celebrities, politicians, and Nobel Peace Prize recipients. [ [http://www.burma-network.org Burma Global Action Network Main Page] [Burma Global Action Network Main page] ]

*A message of Support from Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel:

“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 Wiesel

*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 3rd, 2007

*British Prime minister Gordon Brown - October 17, 2007,To a delegation that included UK Coordinator Johnny Chatterton:

"I'll do everything I can to help the people of Burma"

Don't Forget Burma Campaign

It's most significant user-uploaded media campaign is the website [http://www.dontforgetburma.org 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'. [ [http://www.dontforgetburma.org Don't forget Burma Campaign] ]

Boycott Chevron and Total Oil Companies

BGAN has launched a campaign urging consumers to boycott 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.

Cyclone Nargis

It's recently created a Facebook.com page called [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29161426416 Support the Relief Efforts for Burma (Myanmar) Cyclone Disaster Victims] with 11,500 plus members in response to the Cyclone Nargis. 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. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/International/Weather/story?id=4849928&page=1 ABC News 'Sneaking Cyclone News Out of Myanmar to Facebook'] ]

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. [ [http://www.burma-network.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=105 May 17th, 2008 Global Day Of Action for Burma calling for Humanitarian Intervention] ]

External links

* [http://www.burma-network.com Burma Global Action Network] Main page
* [http://www.dontforgetburma.org Don't Forget Burma] Campaign
* [http://www.myspace.com/burmanetwork Burma Global Action Network Official Myspace Page]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24957770200 Support The Monks' Protest In Burma] Official Page on Facebook.com

References