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Along the Thai-Burma border, we meet the women peace activists working in the midst of the world's longest running civil war.
In the Karen language, Kawthoolei is the name of a mythical homeland in eastern Burma (Myanmar). The Karen people have been struggling for control of this land for nearly 60 years.
This conflict between the Burmese military regime and the Karen National Union is now considered the world's longest running civil war. There are numerous reports of ethnic cleansing, and hundreds of thousands of Burmese and ethnic refugees have flooded western Thailand, yet this conflict is often overlooked by the western media.
Produced along the Thai-Burma border in the refugee camps, medical clinics, and rebel military bases, "Kawthoolei" attempts to demystify the complicated history of Burma's ethnic groups, while focusing on Karen women activists working for non-violent solutions.
This documentary features interviews with Nobel nominees Zipporah Sein and Dr. Cynthia Maung, as well as several other women activists, observers, humanitarian workers, and refugees.
Background Information
Burma's Resources: For Whose Benefit?
Burma is a land of striking contrasts—teak forests, mountain landscapes, fertile paddy fields, verdant valleys. The country is richly endowed with natural resources and a diversity of different peoples with different languages and histories. Despite this natural bounty, the majority of the people of Burma are impoverished. The country's natural resources have been exploited by the military dictatorship.  Read full article |
photo by Kristofer Dan-Bergman
Zipporah Sein
Former Secretary, Karen Women's Organization. Mae Sariang, Thailand
photo by Kristofer Dan-Bergman
Dr. Cynthia Maung
Founder and Director, Mae Tao Clinic
Mae Sot, Thailand |
