The Possibilities of Plurilingualism for Ethnic Equality in Divided Societies: A Preliminary Study about Peace Building Initiatives from the Classroom in Myanmar

• Project/Area Number: 17K02048
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Area studies
• Research Institution: Aichi Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: TAKEDA MAKIKO 愛知学院大学, 総合政策学部, 講師 (30521744)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山旗 張星允 愛知学院大学, 総合政策学部, 教授 (50293717)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: 民族平等 / 複言語主義 / ミャンマー / 社会分断 / 平和構築 / 多言語教育 / 文化的アイデンティティー / 社会的結束 / 分断社会 / 社会的アイデンティティー / 多様性の尊重

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Respect for diversity and self-efficacy can be promoted naturally through mutual learning of minority languages among elementary and middle school children, while high school and university students prioritize learning which provides them economic advantages despite their understanding of the importance of the learning of mother tongue or vernacular language. People in the region with many multilingual speakers have more positive attitude towards learning of minority languages. The community school where the degree of freedom for school administration is high with many multilingual speakers in the neighborhood has already realized plurilingualism to some extent unintentionally and promoted mutual understanding. Most of the teachers are also willing to learn minority languages for their students who understand neither Burmese nor school language. Thus there is a good possibility to promote peace at the grassroots level especially among young children with the help of motivated teachers.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ミャンマーの民主化及び平和への最大の障壁となっている社会分断は格差、民族の分断、宗教的・政治的思想を操って歴史的に故意に作られたものである。この国が幾重にも分断された社会構造であるが故にそれが巧みに操られ不平等を生み更なる分断を生んでいる。このような状況を背景に正式な和平プロセスが停滞する中で、本研究は複言語主義の教育を取り入れることにより相互理解と多様性の尊重を促進し民族平等と平和を草の根レベルから促進する可能性を検討している。このような研究は今までになく、ミャンマーの民族紛争や地域格差によって分断された社会を結束させ、平和構築への第一歩につながる可能性があることから学術的社会的意義が高い。

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] Dhama School Foundation/Mon Women's Organisation/Karen Institute of Strategic Studies(ミャンマー)
• [Int'l Joint Research] Kachin Women's Association Thailand(タイ)
• [Int'l Joint Research] Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation/Mon Women's Organization/Mawlamyine University(ミャンマー)
• [Int'l Joint Research] Mawlamyine university/Dhamma School Foundation/Women League of Burma(ミャンマー)
• [Journal Article] Myanmar After Elections (2020)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata and Michal Lubina
  • Journal Title: Asia Research Centre Duologue Volume: Issue 5 Pages: 1-7
  • Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Plurilingual Education for Promoting Peace in the Post-conflict Divided Societies: Initiatives in Europe (2019)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda and Chosein Yamahata
  • Journal Title: Policy Science Review Volume: 10 Pages: 59-68
• [Journal Article] Transition, Women and Ethnic Equality from Burma's Dimensions (2019)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata and Makiko Takeda
  • Journal Title: Policy Science Review Volume: 10 Pages: 69-80
• [Journal Article] Promotion of Women’s Rights as a Key to Sustainable Development in Myanmar: Cases from Ethnic Women’s Organizations (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Journal Title: Journal of Policy Studies Assosiation Volume: 21-1 Pages: 15-23
  • NAID: 40021766487
• [Journal Article] Multilingual Education for Promoting Peace in Myanmar’s Divided Society: A Social Identity Perspective (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Journal Title: Journal of Policy Studies Association Volume: 20-2 Pages: 13-19
  • NAID: 40021582247
• [Journal Article] Women-led Civil Society in Transition and Women’s Contribution to Human Security and Social Development: Cases from the Healthcare Sector (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda and Tin Nwe Oo
  • Journal Title: Policy Science Review Volume: 9 Pages: 39-47
  • NAID: 40021550504
• [Presentation] Ethnic Women’s Organizations for Promoting a Culture of Peace in Myanmar: Human Security Perspective (2021)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 3rd International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Ethnic Women’s Organizations in Democratisation and Key Agents in Responding Coup in Myanmar: Perspective from Japan (2021)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: Center for ASEAN Studies, Chiang Mai University
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Unity Reborn in Burma: Towards a Multi-ethnic Nation Building (2021)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: Center for ASEAN Studies, Chiang Mai University
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Myanmar’s Point of No Return: Death of Tyranny, Birth of a New Nation (2021)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: Taiwan Center for Security Studies
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Stakeholders, Springs and Myanmar’s Changing Currents: Processes and Impacts from Centre and Peripheries (2021)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda and Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: European Association for SOuthease Asian Studies 2021
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Promotion of Ethnic Pluralism through Multilingual Education in Myanmar: Changes from Classrooms (2019)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: SOItmC (Society of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity )& Meijo University 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Women’s Grassroots Initiatives on Multilingual Education for Promoting Peace Culture: A Social Identity Perspective (2019)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda, Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 10th EUROSEAS Conference 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Women as Keys to Promote Culture of Peace and Community Development in Myanmar: Theoretical Perspectives (2019)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda, Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 2019 The Asian Network for Public Opinion Research
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Academic Diplomacy and Forces of Change: Catalysts for Wider Transformation (2019)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 2019 The Asian Network for Public Opinion Research
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Culture of Peace and Women: Ethnic Women Organizations (EWOs) and Contributions towards Social Transformation in Myanmar (2019)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata, Sar Yar Poine
  • Organizer: The 6th International Conference on International Relations and Development (ICIRD) 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] The Future of Ethnic Women’s Organizations towards Human Security and Culture of Peace in Myanmar: Theoretical Perspectives (2019)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda, Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 4th Thammasat Annual Academics and Postgraduate Conference in Asia-Pacific Studies 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Community-based Initiatives in Securing Rights of Myanmar Children: Cases from a Border Clinic and a Monastic School (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 2nd Burma Review and Challenges International Forum
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] International Norms in Strengthening Human Security, Gender Equality and Community Harmony (2018)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 2nd Burma Review and Challenges International Forum
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Multilingual Education from the Perspectives of Social Identity and Peace Culture: From Classroom at a Monastic School (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 2nd Burma Review and Challenges International Forum
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Local Civil Society-Led Initiatives for Securing Rights of Poor Children in Myanmar: Indication from Northern/ Southern CSOs (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 13th International Burma Studies Conference 2018
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Initiatives of ASEAN for Promotion of Women’s Rights and the Ground Reality: The Activities of Women’s Organizations towards Sustainable Development (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 3rd Thammasat Annual Academics and Postgraduate Conference in Asia-Pacific Studies 2018
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] The Connectivity Triangle of Japan-Burma-India in Strengthening Burma's Stability and ASEAN Centrality (2018)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 3rd Thammasat Annual Academics and Postgraduate Conference in Asia-Pacific Studies 2018
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] The Possibilities of Multilingual Education for Equality and Social Cohesion in Myanmar’s Divided Society: A Multigenerational Approach (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 2nd International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] The Roles of Ethnic Women’s Organizations in Bridging the Divides in Myanmar: Promotion of Women’s Rights as a Key to Sustainable Development (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 2nd International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] The Prospects of Multilingual Education for Sustainable Peace in Myanmar’s Divided Society: From the Viewpoints of Social Identity (2018)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 3rd Asian University Network Forum on Advances in Research
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Women’s Initiatives as a Key in applying Plurilingualism for Equality and Social Cohesion in Myanmar (2017)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Organizer: 9th European Association for Southeast Asian Studies (EUROSEAS) Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Bridging International Norms and Local Realities of Burma’s Transition in Promoting Gender Equality and Human Security (2017)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata
  • Organizer: 9th European Association for Southeast Asian Studies (EUROSEAS) Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Book] Social Transformations in India, Myanmar, and Thailand: Volume 1 (2021)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata, Donald.M.Seekins, Makiko Takeda
  • Total Pages: 441
  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
  • ISBN: 9789811596155
• [Book] Women, Children and Social Transformation in Myanmar (2020)
  • Author(s): Makiko Takeda
  • Total Pages: 132
  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
  • ISBN: 9789811508202
• [Book] Rights and Security in India, Myanmar and Thailand (2020)
  • Author(s): Chosein Yamahata, Sueo Sudo, Takashi Matsugi, Makiko Takeda
  • Total Pages: 276
  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
  • ISBN: 9789811514388