About The Report
This report is based on
findings over two years survey, activities and experiences of Centre for Development and Ethnic Studies
(CDES) in all states and regions, carried out from November 2018 – March 2020.
The primary aim of this research is to understand the level of civilians’
knowledge and awareness on basic principles of democracy, characteristics of
federalism, decentralization, self-determination, gender justice, secular state
and the peace process in Myanmar. The facts and datas are collected from
self-expressed paper based survey during trainings events. Events were
conducted in 12 States/Regions and Nay Pyi Taw of Myanmar. [No respondents from
Yangon Region and Rakhine States] Respondents are leaders from civil society
organizations, political parties, youth networks, women unions, university
students, person with disablities (PWDs) groups and independent activists. The
number of respondents for structured questionnaires employed 1,131 people.
Thematic Issues
Eight questions were
determined to measure participants’ political knowledge. This political
knowledge measures contributors’ knowledge and familiarity with basic
principles of democracy, characteristics of federalism, decentralization,
self-determination, gender equality, secular state, awareness on peace process
and prospect on the peace process of Myanmar. CDES sets its own standard
definition for each of these terms. A rating scale of 1 to 5, developed
according to CDES’s standard, is used to assess the knowledge level of each
respondent.
Findings
As research is conducted
in all states and regions of the country except Rakhine state and Yangon
region, the above percentage represents the percentile counted as a whole
(states-wise/ regions-wise), not individually. The knowledge level is observed
to be different among states and regions; with a lower result in the region.
For instant, understanding of “internal self-determination” in states shows 27%
while regions stand only at 18%. This survey result indicates that awareness on
political concerned topics is relatively low despite most correspondents from
each state and region are professionals, experts from different fields, and
experienced individuals, not ordinary citizens.
None of the eight
categories is seen to cross 35% which indirectly conveys Myanmar citizens’
limited political knowledge as a whole. The term “secular state” is more
understood in states than in regions. Participants from regions widely relate
the term “secular state” with a country that has no religion at all or
rejecting all religions. Overall, a higher number of participants from states
have more knowledge on topic related awareness. The result also reveals that
majority of respondents have high hopes for a brighter future; particularly on
Myanmar’s ongoing peace process. Therefore, the category of peace process
receives maximum number of positive responses from all interviewees. Moreover,
citizens thirst for peace to reign in the country.
This report explores
participants’ knowledge on the topics of democracy, federalism,
decentralization, self-determination, gender equality, secular state and the
future prospect on peace process in Myanmar. The results of a survey of
participants from CDES’s survey regarding their political knowledge comes out
with surprisingly low percentage. With the research’s respondents being most
qualified and experienced individuals as representatives, the report clearly
reflects limited political knowledge of ordinary citizens.
Lead Researchers:
Program Team, CDES
Thawng Tha Lian
Dr. Moses C. Tehlo
San Dar Linn
Hpan Ja Brang
Mai Tial Tin Par