A woman of substance
Aung San Suu Kyi steals hearts and minds at |the World Economic Forum on East Asia
'She's amazing," commented one business leader to another, following the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012's session with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Just seeing her made me understand the true meaning of 'Life is tough'," said another participant.
It's easy to comprehend why Suu Kyi impressed everyone at the event - one glance at the determination in the eyes of the 66-year-old kept in isolation in Myanmar for 24 years as a result of her pro-democracy movement said it all. She energetically participated in the "Asian Women as the Way Forward" discussion, answering all questions straightforwardly and listening attentively to other panellists. As an audience member at several other sessions, her eyes never left the stage, drinking in every word. At the press conference, she was ready to answer all questions, ranging from heavy issues like human rights in China and Syria to lighter ones like the social media.
The slight figure was the only speaker at the two-day event to receive a standing ovation, as business leaders, journalists and photographers rose as one to greet her as she was led into the Forum's Plenary Hall.
Quite simply, Suu Kyi stole the show. Despite deep wrinkles and tired eyes, she charmed all with a gentle smile, flowers tucked into her bun of hair and her traditional attire of a blouse (anyi) and sarong (longyi). Wherever she went, people came towards her for a chat and a photo session. An event where punctuality was key, the session on Asia's energy future was briefly delayed as the Lady was on the way. Beyond the traditional costume, what attracted were her elegance, pragmatism and sheer simplicity, assets that supported her when she revealed what was on her mind.
"DNA has a lot to do with it," she said, replying to WEF founder Klaus Schwab's question on where she found her strength.
Everyone guessed she was referring to her father, General Aung San, who founded the Communist Party of Burma and was instrumental in bringing about Burma's independence from British colonial rule.
"It's equally important that my mother taught me discipline and duty, by acting out her belief that duty matters more in life. I'm not always good, not always putting duty before anything else. But I have tried," said the pro-democracy leader who suffered years of house arrest and personal tragedy - losing her husband to cancer and being unable to visit him while he was ailing.
In Thailand for just a few days, she showed the world that she strictly followed instructions. Aside from observing the world's views on Myanmar at the WEF forum, she visited migrant workers and refugees. Whenever she opened her mouth, it was all about Myanmar and its people. While trying to convey her optimism of the ongoing reforms in the country, she used "Burma" every time, affirming her belief that Myanmar has not yet achieved democracy.
On her first international flight in decades, she said she was fascinated with the lights of Bangkok, seen through the cockpit. She saw brighter lights in New York and London, but the lights reminded her of the necessity of an "energy policy" given that 30 years ago Bangkok and Myanmar's then capital Rangoon were "quite the same".
Asked about her impressions of this first international trip, rather than delve into her personal feelings, she said simply that the gap between Thailand and Myanmar had widened and this must be closed.
While asking for the international community's help in pushing forward reforms in her country, she admitted that Myanmar can't be "overly-dependent" on outside forces. "Like they say, God helps those who help themselves," she said.
As a panellist in the "way forward" session, she said cultural values are blocking women from showing their true capability. She appeared bitter when telling the audience that Myanmar girls came to the city, working and sending money home to fund their male siblings' studies and that some women send money to unemployed husbands in villages who spend it on drink.
"We can't resolve that simply through economic development. We need to address cultural issues. Girls must not be expected to make sacrifices for families when boys are not expected to do so."
She did not complain about those years about house arrest, saying she kept up with the world through the radio. To her, the radio is better than conversations, which sometimes contain distractions like "smiles or food on the table".
"On the radio, there is no distraction. I listen and acquire information."
At the end of the session, three questions from the floor were all addressed to her and all commenced with words of praise. She overshadowed the other speakers - a Bangladesh bank's president who initiated a programme to help poor women and the chief of Care USA.
To the question posed by Melody Meyer, president of Chevron Asia Pacific, on how to keep girls in scientific studies, she suggested "more heroines" like Madame Curie, on of her own heroines in childhood.
After this trip, Suu Kyi he will go to Norway to receive the Nobel peace prize and then probably Paris and Ireland. Sadly, social media enthusiasts cannot follow her on Facebook, not because of any technological issue but because, the Lady says, there's "no time to fit it in". She is, though, counting on support from people all over the world to help restore her beloved "Burma".
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