Burma/Myanmar: Transitions to Democracy in the Current Age

Burma/Myanmar represents both the hope and difficulty of transitions to democracy in the current age. Join us for a discussion on the challenges of its long running civil war, the Rohingya crisis, and even its name -- all of which make this country fascinating for scholars and armchair analysts alike.

Schedule: 

6:15pm: Moderated discussion with Kristen Bauer

7:00pm: Q+A

7:30pm: Program ends

RSVP required. This event is free and open to the public. For those able, we kindly request a suggested donation of $10 to support World Affairs Council of Maine programming.

FMI: Email info@wacmaine.org or call 780-4337

This event will be moderated by Bradley Babson, a consultant on Asian affairs with a concentration on North Korea and Myanmar. Much of that expertise was gained during twenty-six years spent with the World Bank, where from 1997 to 2000 he supervised the bank’s relations with Myanmar. He recently taught courses at Bowdoin College as a distinguished lecturer in the Department of Government and Legal Studies. 

About the Speaker

Kristen F. Bauer served until recently as a senior American diplomat, with 27 years’ experience in the United States Foreign Service. She crafted policies and programs to promote democracy and human rights, counter violent extremism, and foster inclusive economic growth. She oversaw thousands of staff members and millions of dollars in grants and budgets in cross-cultural settings.

She is currently the leader of the Boston Moms Demand Action for Gun Violence and a Commissioner on the Arlington Human Rights Commission.  

In the Foreign Service, Kristen Bauer attained the rank of Minister-Counselor, and served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Burma from 2015 to 2017. Previously, Ms. Bauer served as the Charge and Deputy Chief of Mission in Jakarta, Indonesia, Deputy Chief of Mission in Vientiane, Laos, and as Consul General in Surabaya, Indonesia. She also held diplomatic posts in U.S. missions in Norway, South Africa, Vietnam, United Kingdom, and Thailand. Her languages include: Thai, Lao, Indonesian, German and Spanish.  

Ms. Bauer earned her B.A. in history and international relations from Randolph Macon Women’s College, Virginia, in 1984, and her J.D. from Yale Law School, Connecticut, in 1987. Before joining the Foreign Service, she practiced law in Boston working for a non-profit organization representing asylum seekers and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in public health. Ms. Bauer is married to Tung Huynh and they have two children.