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Suu Kyi to deliver video message at Carleton University

Canadian Friends of Burma – February 22, 2011

(Ottawa) – Burmese democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will deliver a video message at noon today February 22 at Carleton University at a special ceremony where she will receive an honorary doctorate degree in absentia. During the ceremony, Canada’s former Foreign Minister Flora MacDonald will also give a key note address dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi.  The public and media are invited to attend.

“We are pleased that Carleton University has decided to give an honorary degree to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi because the campus has a proud history of supporting the Burma movement,” said Tin Maung Htoo, executive director of Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB).

 
He noted that it was at the Carleton where Terry Cottam and his fellow Burma activists first launched the student-led Pepsis boycott in the 1990s. “The OPIRG Carleton anti-Pepsi campaign quickly spread around the world and led to millions finding out Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi,” added Tin Maung Htoo referring to the Carleton chapter of the student-run Ontario Public Interest Research Group that spearheaded the boycott drive which ultimately forced Pepsi to end their partnership with Burma’s military regime.

In recent years, Carleton University hosted several important figures from Burma’s opposition movement including Dr. Cynthia Maung, the head of Mao Taw Clinic on the Thai-Burma border, Aung Zaw, editor of the Irrawaddy magazine, and Dr. Sein Win, MP-elect in the annulled 1990 election and leader of Burma’s government in exile. “Carleton students, staff and administration have always welcomed members of Burma’s democratic opposition on campus and we very much appreciate their support,” adds Tin Maung Htoo. 

Regarding the award, Carleton University President Roseann O'Reilly Runte sent a letter to Aung San Suu Kyi in which she stated, “Carleton University wishes to recognize you as one of the most remarkable, self-sacrificing figures of our century. We consider you to be one of the most determined, courageous women of all time.”

The Canadian Friends of Burma wishes to thank Carleton University for conferring her with this award and also wishes to thank the Carleton teaching assistants and contract instructors at CUPE local 4600 for their strong support of the Burma cause.

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Contact at 613-297-6835 for media inquiry.
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The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma. Contact: Suite 206, 145 Spruce St., Ottawa, K1R 6P1; Tel: 613.237.8056; Email: cfob@cfob.org; Web: www.cfob.org