How is Voices for Burma funded?
Voices for Burma is a non-profit organisation which does not depend on financial aid. Apart from web maintenance, all work completed by Voices for Burma is entirely voluntary. Our webpage is paid for by committee member contributions.

How do I find out more about Burma?
First of all, have a look at the About Burma section of this site, which introduces the country and the issues facing the people of Burma. The links section of the site gives some suggestions for further study of Burma on the web, going into some detail on specific issues. One of the best ways to learn about Burma is simply to keep an eye on the quality newspapers, which often carry articles on Burma - you can also search for such articles on most newspapers' web sites. In addition, there are numerous books and documentaries on Burma.  If you enjoy learning more about Burma, why not become a researcher for us?

Isn't it foolish to contradict other Burma campaigns?
We support all organisations that work to promote basic civil and political liberties in Burma and in particular an end to the serious abuses of human rights which are occurring there. Our end goal is exactly the same, but we feel that greater progress can be achieved through different means. In terms of tourism in particular, we feel that the prevailing view on the situation is too 'black and white' - a blanket moratorium on all travel and tourism reduces the potential of certain types of tourism to help the people of Burma rather than its military government. So we don't directly contradict the approach of other campaigns - we are just taking a more targeted approach to the issue of tourism.

How can I have my say?
Are you on Facebook?  Then please join our Voices for Burma group and take part in the discussion.  We welcome all constructive contributions to the debate, and hope that this will turn into a lively discussion place for those interested in Burma and its people.

Why 'Burma' and not 'Myanmar'?
‘The Union of Burma’ was renamed ‘The Union of Myanmar’ in English in 1989 by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (since renamed the State Peace and Development Council). At the same time, Rangoon was renamed Yangon in English, Irrawaddy changed to Ayeyarwady, Karen to Kayin, Arakan to Rakhine and so on. In Burmese, the name of the country has always been ‘Myanmar’ which has long been the official name in Burmese of the country. Internationally, but not internally, there has been a strong campaign urging the rejection of the name “Myanmar” in English because it was imposed by an unconstitutional military junta which seized power illegally in 1988. As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has commented, "Myanmar is a name that this military regime chose when it took over. We don't think that any government, especially one that is not elected by the people, has the right to change the name of the country." The country is however seated as “Myanmar” in the United Nations and many organisations, like Amnesty International, use the name Myanmar in accordance with established international practice. In the EU, the hybrid “Burma/Myanmar” is used to accommodate differing preferences.

Voices for Burma prefer for the present to use the name “Burma” since this is internationally better known and is widely used in the tourism industry. It is easier to pronounce in English and to remember than “Myanmar".

This pdf file gives more information on the history background to the toponymy of Burma.
http://www.pcgn.org.uk/Burma-%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Toponymy%20of%20Burma.pdf

Who designed this web site?
Burma Information Technology (BIT) based in New Delhi, India.