PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Civic Engagement for Change (Myanmar) Study Tour Program provides local insights to the opportunities and changes ahead for this remarkable country. With a focus on the people and organisations driving this change, from youth engagement to social entrepreneurs, this program explores the many ways to create impact. It provides some understanding of the political context, while showcasing the grassroots actions that people are taking to drive a better future for the country.
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LEARN AND APPLY HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Human-Centred Design is an approach to problem-solving and design that “starts with the people you’re designing for and ends with new solutions that are tailor-made to suit their needs” (IDEO). Learn from local experts how these principles are applied in the Thai context. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY You'll have the opportunity to develop and enhance existing community projects, or create new ones while ensuring that local communities are at the heart of each project. WORK COLLABORATIVELY IN SMALL, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS Partner with a team of other Australian students, local 'design for development' experts, and communities to develop projects with a Burmese focus. |
FAST FACTS
Program Length
14 days Summer Program 5 January - 18 January, 2019 |
Cost
AU$TBD Payable as $500 deposit + $TBD balance Information on funding, scholarships and OS-HELP loans. |
Application Deadlines
for Summer 2018 December Programs/Early Bird: 1 October, 2018 Main Round: 19 October, 2018 Final Round: TBD |
We use rolling applications and reviews and applications will close when programs
are full, so early submissions are encouraged. Note that universities have
internal deadlines for funding programs like OS-HELP, so apply early.
are full, so early submissions are encouraged. Note that universities have
internal deadlines for funding programs like OS-HELP, so apply early.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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YOUR IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Could look something like this...
Could look something like this...
EXAMPLE ITINERARY
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Days 1 -3
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Days 4 - 6
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Days 7 - 10
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Days 11 - 14
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Day 1 – Mingalaba! Program kickoff!
Welcome to Yangon and the program with a warm introduction to Myanmar from one of your lovely facilitators. We’ll head into the city and check into the hotel – getting you set up with what you need for the weeks ahead (think SIM cards, maps and maybe a nap), before joining the group for a traditional Burmese dinner. During this introductory session, you’ll get a chance to meet your fellow participants and the local hosts, who you will be sharing this adventure with.
Day 2 – Burmese Culture and Yangon Sites
Kick off the day with a traditional Burmese welcome and the earliest introduction to the unique food, language and history of the country. After a morning of interactive workshops and getting to know your peers, we will head across Yangon to meet with a local youth development organisation to hear about their work in empowering a future generation of change-makers and social entrepreneurs. This isn’t just a lecture, and you will be partnered up with local young people and sent on a mission to explore the city – with visits to the National Museum of Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda, the bustling city streets, and finish up for local street food. A great welcome to the city and country.
Welcome to Yangon and the program with a warm introduction to Myanmar from one of your lovely facilitators. We’ll head into the city and check into the hotel – getting you set up with what you need for the weeks ahead (think SIM cards, maps and maybe a nap), before joining the group for a traditional Burmese dinner. During this introductory session, you’ll get a chance to meet your fellow participants and the local hosts, who you will be sharing this adventure with.
Day 2 – Burmese Culture and Yangon Sites
Kick off the day with a traditional Burmese welcome and the earliest introduction to the unique food, language and history of the country. After a morning of interactive workshops and getting to know your peers, we will head across Yangon to meet with a local youth development organisation to hear about their work in empowering a future generation of change-makers and social entrepreneurs. This isn’t just a lecture, and you will be partnered up with local young people and sent on a mission to explore the city – with visits to the National Museum of Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda, the bustling city streets, and finish up for local street food. A great welcome to the city and country.
Day 3 – Social Ventures and Urban Change
We have an early start to the day, heading across to Dala, a small village just a short boat ride across the river from Yangon city. There we will have the chance to visit Chu Chu workshop, a social enterprise turning waste into products. We might even have time for a pedal-powered trishaw ride around the village. From there we return to Yangon city for lunch at LinkAge, a social enterprise restaurant supporting disadvantaged young people through vocational training. Great food for a great cause. In the afternoon we will visit Pomelo for Myanmar, a social enterprise that’s transforming lives through handicraft products created by talented communities. In the late afternoon we visit Myanmar’s leading innovation space, Phandeeyar, for a dose of cutting-edge innovation, startups and technology.
We have an early start to the day, heading across to Dala, a small village just a short boat ride across the river from Yangon city. There we will have the chance to visit Chu Chu workshop, a social enterprise turning waste into products. We might even have time for a pedal-powered trishaw ride around the village. From there we return to Yangon city for lunch at LinkAge, a social enterprise restaurant supporting disadvantaged young people through vocational training. Great food for a great cause. In the afternoon we will visit Pomelo for Myanmar, a social enterprise that’s transforming lives through handicraft products created by talented communities. In the late afternoon we visit Myanmar’s leading innovation space, Phandeeyar, for a dose of cutting-edge innovation, startups and technology.
Day 4 – Social Impact Day Trip
Yangon Bakehouse is an innovative project that supports Burmese women through employment and training. They also make exceptional food and coffee, so spending time with them is an excellent way to start any day. From there we head out and visit small-scale social impact projects and learn the role that technology, design and business have to play in creating opportunity for the poor. After an inspiring day, we say farewell to Yangon and board the overnight bus north.
Day 5 – Pa-O Community Visit
We will transfer from the overnight bus and make the journey to our new home in the Pa-O communities close to Inle Lake; a beautiful part of the country. There will be a chance for some light trekking to the community to see more of the region and to understand the context and situation. This project is a community-based tourism project (CBT) and is an insight into how communities are creating local opportunity and economic development. We then stay in our new home in the village.
Yangon Bakehouse is an innovative project that supports Burmese women through employment and training. They also make exceptional food and coffee, so spending time with them is an excellent way to start any day. From there we head out and visit small-scale social impact projects and learn the role that technology, design and business have to play in creating opportunity for the poor. After an inspiring day, we say farewell to Yangon and board the overnight bus north.
Day 5 – Pa-O Community Visit
We will transfer from the overnight bus and make the journey to our new home in the Pa-O communities close to Inle Lake; a beautiful part of the country. There will be a chance for some light trekking to the community to see more of the region and to understand the context and situation. This project is a community-based tourism project (CBT) and is an insight into how communities are creating local opportunity and economic development. We then stay in our new home in the village.
Day 6– Rural Community Stay
Wake up in rural Myanmar after a (hopefully) good night’s sleep. After breakfast we spend time with the villagers and learn about the life of the mountain people who are mainly living off local agriculture. Before lunch we learn by doing – getting involved in green tea activity and even learn about making bamboo handicrafts and Pa-O hand weaving. We will be eating with the community, so there is a great opportunity to learn about local cooking methods and get involved. In the evening we will have a cultural event that involves local music and instruments. Plus we will spend the evening learning about Burmese traditions and festivals, including Thadingyut Festival – the festival of lights.
Wake up in rural Myanmar after a (hopefully) good night’s sleep. After breakfast we spend time with the villagers and learn about the life of the mountain people who are mainly living off local agriculture. Before lunch we learn by doing – getting involved in green tea activity and even learn about making bamboo handicrafts and Pa-O hand weaving. We will be eating with the community, so there is a great opportunity to learn about local cooking methods and get involved. In the evening we will have a cultural event that involves local music and instruments. Plus we will spend the evening learning about Burmese traditions and festivals, including Thadingyut Festival – the festival of lights.
Day 7 – Exploring Inle Lake
We travel from the community to Inle Lake, from where we will travel to the jetty and join a boat to see local life up close. Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar, and is well known for its floating gardens and local residents, called Intha, who use a unique one leg-rowing style. The region of Inle Lake was recognised in 2015 as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of the ecological importance and the innovations of the ethnic communities. We will visit the mysterious Indein village, located at the end of Indein Creek, where there are a cluster of hundreds of ruined ancient stupas surrounding a pagoda hill. We will also visit and spend time with Inle Heritage at Innpawkhon Village, a not-for-profit organisation that is working to preserve the cultural and natural wealth of the region, and help it thrive as a place to visit, work and live.
Day 8 - Nyung Shwe Sites and Surrounds
After breakfast we leave to Thapyaykone village to learn about local life and seeing plantations of tea, avocado and oranges. We see a local Pa-O village and ancient stupas. This all provides the context for the enormous social change that’s happening in Myanmar. In the afternoon we visit the well-known Paungdaw Oo Pagodw, where five Buddha images are covered with gold leaf so thick that their original form can no longer be seen, as well as the Nga Pe Chaung (Jumping Cat) monastery. We then say farewell to Inle Lake area and head south to Loikaw.
We travel from the community to Inle Lake, from where we will travel to the jetty and join a boat to see local life up close. Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar, and is well known for its floating gardens and local residents, called Intha, who use a unique one leg-rowing style. The region of Inle Lake was recognised in 2015 as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of the ecological importance and the innovations of the ethnic communities. We will visit the mysterious Indein village, located at the end of Indein Creek, where there are a cluster of hundreds of ruined ancient stupas surrounding a pagoda hill. We will also visit and spend time with Inle Heritage at Innpawkhon Village, a not-for-profit organisation that is working to preserve the cultural and natural wealth of the region, and help it thrive as a place to visit, work and live.
Day 8 - Nyung Shwe Sites and Surrounds
After breakfast we leave to Thapyaykone village to learn about local life and seeing plantations of tea, avocado and oranges. We see a local Pa-O village and ancient stupas. This all provides the context for the enormous social change that’s happening in Myanmar. In the afternoon we visit the well-known Paungdaw Oo Pagodw, where five Buddha images are covered with gold leaf so thick that their original form can no longer be seen, as well as the Nga Pe Chaung (Jumping Cat) monastery. We then say farewell to Inle Lake area and head south to Loikaw.
Day 9 – Kayah State and Cultural Visits
From our new base in Loikaw – the small, but significant, capital of Kayah state in eastern Myanmar. This region is one of the least visited in the country and provides a great opportunity to visit, connect and meet with local artisans, farmers and residents of the region. We will make a day trip to one of the communities – a Kayah tribe nearby – to get an insight into the traditional way of life, as well as a hands-on learning experience to see how crafts, food and products are created. In the evening we will learn about one of Myanmar’s most significant events: Thingyan – the water festival. Prepare to get wet.
Day 10 - Pan Pet Community Visit
From our Loikaw base, we travel higher into the hills to visit Pan Pet, a Kayan tribe. This is a stunning part of the world with spectacular scenery, only recently opened up to foreign visitors. There will be the opportunity to learn about traditional life. This visit seems worlds away from the innovation hubs of Yangon, and provides a rich understanding of the tapestry that is modern Myanmar. We will spend the day walking, interacting and learning. We head back to Loikaw in the evening.
From our new base in Loikaw – the small, but significant, capital of Kayah state in eastern Myanmar. This region is one of the least visited in the country and provides a great opportunity to visit, connect and meet with local artisans, farmers and residents of the region. We will make a day trip to one of the communities – a Kayah tribe nearby – to get an insight into the traditional way of life, as well as a hands-on learning experience to see how crafts, food and products are created. In the evening we will learn about one of Myanmar’s most significant events: Thingyan – the water festival. Prepare to get wet.
Day 10 - Pan Pet Community Visit
From our Loikaw base, we travel higher into the hills to visit Pan Pet, a Kayan tribe. This is a stunning part of the world with spectacular scenery, only recently opened up to foreign visitors. There will be the opportunity to learn about traditional life. This visit seems worlds away from the innovation hubs of Yangon, and provides a rich understanding of the tapestry that is modern Myanmar. We will spend the day walking, interacting and learning. We head back to Loikaw in the evening.
Day 11 - Workshops, Reflection and Travel
After a big series of visits to communities from the floating homes at Inle to the rural Kayan villages, this day provides a chance for reflection and looking forward to the future. There will be a chance to work on your own project plans through some interactive workshops. We will say farewell to Kayah state as we make the trip back to Yangon, where we will check back into city life. While we won’t have the beautiful nature anymore, we will gain some nice amenities and a nice welcome back meal.
Day 12 - Yangon Project Day
Back in the city and this is a huge day of project planning and finalising your project. We will make the most of being in the city and you can get parts from markets, practice your pitch, take photos and whatever it is you need to finalise your idea. We will have facilitators and mentors on hand to support the ideas, and will touch base through the day for Burmese food and lend a helping hand.
After a big series of visits to communities from the floating homes at Inle to the rural Kayan villages, this day provides a chance for reflection and looking forward to the future. There will be a chance to work on your own project plans through some interactive workshops. We will say farewell to Kayah state as we make the trip back to Yangon, where we will check back into city life. While we won’t have the beautiful nature anymore, we will gain some nice amenities and a nice welcome back meal.
Day 12 - Yangon Project Day
Back in the city and this is a huge day of project planning and finalising your project. We will make the most of being in the city and you can get parts from markets, practice your pitch, take photos and whatever it is you need to finalise your idea. We will have facilitators and mentors on hand to support the ideas, and will touch base through the day for Burmese food and lend a helping hand.
Day 13 – Share the Future and Graduation Dinner
A wonderful day to share the outcomes of your project work, we will all get the chance to hear about your project and the change you are looking to see in the world. Graduation and photos will follow. The evening will be a celebration, Burmese-style. We will head to People’s Square and Park – one of Yangon’s major parks adjacent to the Shwedagon Pagoda. It’s a stunning location and the perfect place for Burmese food and celebrations. Rumours are that after this we will celebrate like the locals with a night of Karaoke...
Day 14 – Farewell Myanmar
Phew! What a huge two weeks. As the program concludes, we do a farewell breakfast and have the opportunity to purchase any final souvenirs. This is the time for goodbye hugs (tears optional). You’re free to fly out at any time and we will set you up with transfers to the airport. Either back to Australia for much needed lattes and vegemite, or to onward travel if you have more adventures on the go.
! NOTE: Program is subject to change depending on local community availability, national events and weather conditions. Depending on the group size, the program may split to visit different communities to ensure small teams and a personal experience.
A wonderful day to share the outcomes of your project work, we will all get the chance to hear about your project and the change you are looking to see in the world. Graduation and photos will follow. The evening will be a celebration, Burmese-style. We will head to People’s Square and Park – one of Yangon’s major parks adjacent to the Shwedagon Pagoda. It’s a stunning location and the perfect place for Burmese food and celebrations. Rumours are that after this we will celebrate like the locals with a night of Karaoke...
Day 14 – Farewell Myanmar
Phew! What a huge two weeks. As the program concludes, we do a farewell breakfast and have the opportunity to purchase any final souvenirs. This is the time for goodbye hugs (tears optional). You’re free to fly out at any time and we will set you up with transfers to the airport. Either back to Australia for much needed lattes and vegemite, or to onward travel if you have more adventures on the go.
! NOTE: Program is subject to change depending on local community availability, national events and weather conditions. Depending on the group size, the program may split to visit different communities to ensure small teams and a personal experience.
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