Burmese political activist to give University of Michigan's Wallenberg Lecture

Posted on Sun, Oct 23, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.

Burmese political activist to give University of Michigan's Wallenberg Lecture

By Kellie Woodhouse

A Burmese human rights activist and democracy advocate will receive the University of Michigan Wallenberg Medal this week.

AP Photo

On Tuesday at Rackham Auditorium, U-M will stream a videotaped lecture given by longtime Burmese political activist Aung San Suu Kyi, who will conduct a live question-and-answer session by Skype or phone afterward.

The Wallenberg Medal honors individuals who advocate on behalf of the persecuted.

Suu Kyi serves in a leadership role at the National League for Democracy, the leading opposition political party in Burma. She led her party to victory in 1990 elections, but military leaders refused to recognize the results. She has spent most of the past two decades in jail or under house arrest.

Burma has had a tumultuous history and, according to several news reports, human rights activists in the country continue to be harassed, arrested and jailed. According to U-M, Suu Kyi is fearful that if she leaves Burma officials will not let her re-enter the country.

"Undaunted and fearless through many years of detention and efforts to intimidate her, in speaking out for democracy and human rights in Burma, Suu Kyi exemplifies ... courage and commitment to the humanitarian values," U-M said in a release.

Suu Kyi also is a Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

The lecture will take place 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

Comments

K Thompson

Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.

Gosh, maybe provide a link for more info? Recipient of the Wallenberg Medal - "One Person Can Make a Difference" 2011 — Aung San Suu Kyi Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has committed her life to the non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma. Since 1988, she has been the leader of the democratic opposition and a voice of conciliation and unity among the regions and peoples of Burma. <a href="http://www.wallenberg.umich.edu/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wallenberg.umich.edu/</a> And free and open to the public.

Tony Livingston

Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.

Yes, you have to go to page 2 to even find out who it is!

K Thompson

Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.

Agree with earlier comment. Not very informative headline, which should be a Headline, and article leaves our important info and background. Is there a fee attendance? Will streaming only be at Rackham or online too?

say it plain

Sun, Oct 23, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.

This headline is sorta like referring to a lecture by the Dalai Llama as "Tibetan spiritual leader to give Wallenberg Lecture" lol... not that the headline is untrue, just sort of 'downsizing' the bigness of it! Suu Kyi is sort of *the* premier Burmese political activist.. plus, the story kinda buries the Nobel Peace Prize status too...