Summer School on Federalism 2017
Summer School on Federalism at the Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

The participants along with our Programme Manager (from the right to the left) U Aung Soe Min, Resident Representative Achim Munz, Mr. Paul Anderson and Dr. Soeren Keil from Canterbury Christchurch University in the Hanns Seidel Foundation’s representative Office in Yangon. Just after being successfully selected for the Summer School the final steps were discussed and the participants flew to London later in August.

HSF

The topic of this year’s Summer School was “Federalism, Multinationalism and the Future of Europe”. Along with the Winter School on Federalism earlier this year in February 2017, that took place in South Tyrol, the HSF aims to support participants to attend those federalism events abroad, to contribute to a better understanding of federalism.

During the Summer School, the participants were introduced to different theories of federalism, its use in different European countries, the use of federalism, federations as a tool of conflict resolution and the idea of the EU as a federal political system. The lecturers included leading international academics, who have years of experience in their subject and have often been involved in policy advice as well.

The participants came from various backgrounds and were from the USA, Canada, France, the UK, Latvia, Hungary, Nepal, Germany, Spain, Algeria and, of course 5 from Myanmar.

The Summer School was focused on learning and discussing topics relating to federalism, secession, European integration and the use of territorial autonomy as a tool of conflict resolution.

The 5 Participants presenting Myanmar at the Summer School on Federalism at the Canterbury Christ Church University, in the United Kingdom.

HSF

“I found that the course was very useful to Myanmar’s participants who are working for a shift in political systems in their effort to increase their capacity and broaden their knowledge regarding the principles of developing a federal state,” said Ei Hnin Phyu Htun a participant.

There were 8 theories input sessions and 4 case studies. Theories input session were:

 •  Understanding Federalism and Federation

 •  Federalism as Ideology

 •  Federalism and Anarchy

 •  Self-ruled and Shared-ruled

 •  Comparing Federal Political System

 •  The Revival of Federal Idea

 •  Accommodation Diversity: Autonomy vs Secession”

 •  Protecting minority rights

Vivid discussions and many topics on Federalism have been part of the Summer School Programme where participants from the different countries came together.

HSF

The Four case studies consisted of “Federalism in USA”, “Federalism in Belgium”, “Federalism and Power sharing at regional level: The Case of South Tyrol” and “Federalism and European Union”.

Apart from the political theory, the participants also experienced the life and the political reality on the trip to London. “One of the amazing experiences was the Trip to Big Ben and the House of Parliament,” said Tint Kyaw Naing another participant.