Digital social research and training in a safe cyber environment for Myanmar

 

From 2010 to 2021, the Union of the Republic of Myanmar, one of the poorest countries in Asia, made significant strides in openness compared to its early days of isolation. In 2017, to sustain emerging democratization, IDRC and Global Affairs Canada launched the Knowledge for Democracy – Myanmar (K4DM) Initiative to nurture capacity for meaningful engagement and to promote better governance by working with scholars, policy actors and activists.

In February 2021, the Myanmar military brought this democratic episode to a sudden halt. Civilian protests intensified against the coup, and the situation has continued to escalate into violent conflict. Canada’s support for independent policy research and pro-democratic voices in Myanmar is now more necessary than ever to protect the gains made and to prepare for a future return to democracy.

The second phase of the K4DM Initiative (K4DM2) aims to develop a strong and well-informed civil society — mostly outside Myanmar — to contribute to an inclusive, gender-sensitive vision that embodies democratic gains achieved prior to the military coup. K4DM2 will do this through online training, a wide range of fellowships and research focused on digital rights.

This project focuses on digital research to promote greater equality and democratic freedoms within a safe cyber environment. It aims to strengthen the social research capacities of individuals and institutions so they can contribute to knowledge-building efforts. The project will help to develop awareness of Myanmar’s socio-political situation in several areas, including misinformation, online gender-based violence, ethnicity, diaspora and refugee issues, digital safety and social media innovations. Over three years, approximately two dozen small research sub-projects will strengthen the capacity of emerging researchers with a focus on women and ethnic minorities.