Representatives of international NGO Burma Campaign UK striving for a better human rights situation in Burma through awareness raising campaigns around the world paid a visit to the Eastern European Studies Center on November 27th, 2009.
Director of Burma Campaign UK Mark Farmaner, international coordinator Zoya Phan as well as the main character of the movie Burma VJ: Reporting from a closed country took part in the meeting inder to share experience and knowledge on the situation in Burma and discuss potential contribution of Lithuanian non-governmental sector to Burma campaigns.
Vytis Jurkonis presented the EESC activities and the situation of Lithuanian non-governmental organizations working in cooperation for development. He named the low level of Lithuanian society's awareness about Burma issues and the Lithuanian development cooperation priorities as the main obstacles for taking action in Burma.
Representatives of Burma Campaign UK expressed their wish that the EESC contributes to the awareness raising about Burma in Lithuanian society. The need to target politicians in order to encourage them to join international actions for Burma's freedom was emphasized.
The above mentioned activities could be undertaken using a variety of means of communication. The importance of visual media was stressed. The movie Burma VJ: Reporting from a closed country evoked high interest and concern about Burma's situation among Lithuanian students and academics. The screening of the movie at the Institute of International Affairs and Political Science was followed by creation of Facebook group to support Burma. The guests evaluated it as a successful start for future actions and Lithuanian contribution to the promotion freedom in Burma.