Post-1988 civil-military relations in Myanmar

This paper explores the development of civil–military relations in Myanmar since 1988. After the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) took over the state by means of a coup d’état in 1988, the top generals ruled the country without recourse to significant formal political institutions such as a constitution, elections and parliament. A unique authoritarian regime, where political power was predominantly under the military’s influence, lasted for more than 20 years in the country. It seemed to many observers that the military regime was highly durable and that its dictator, General Than Shwe, had no intention of altering the highly repressive character of the political system. However, a new leader, President Thein Sein, who came to power in March 2011, has decided to implement some political and economic reforms that could undermine the Tatmadaw’s dominant role in politics and the economy. This paper examines the background to this sudden political change in Myanmar, focusing on the relationship between its dictator, the military and the state. This paper’s main argument is that Than Shwe has carefully prepared the transition of 2011 as a generational change in the Tatmadaw and in state leadership. The argument is also made that the challenges created by Thein Sein can be understood as a result of his redefinition of national security and balancing of security-centralism with state-led developmentalism.

Two-polar growth strategy in Myanmar : seeking "high" and "balanced" development

The Thein Sein government of Myanmar seeks higher and balanced economic growth. This is a challenge for the government since some economic literature identifies a trade-off between higher economic growth and better regional equality, especially for countries in the early stages of development. In this paper, we propose a two-polar growth strategy as one that includes both "high" and "balanced" growth. The first growth pole is Yangon, and the second is Mandalay. Nay Pyi Taw, the national capital, will develop as an administrative centre, not as an economic or commercial one. We also propose border development with enhanced connectivity with richer neighboring countries as a complementary strategy to the two growth poles. Effects of the two-polar growth strategy with border development are tested using a Geographical Simulation Model (GSM).

On the Road to Democracy? Political Liberalization in Myanmar. Asia Policy Brief 2014/01, January 2014

Myanmar’s liberalizing reforms initiated by President Thein Sein after taking office in March 2011 are raising high hopes of peace and democracy in the country. Progress, after nearly three years, has however been uneven: there have been positive developments in the area of press freedom, with regard to political prisoners and in dealing with the political opposition. At the same time the dialogue with ethnic groups has stagnated and ethnic and religious violence has escalated. This Asia Policy Brief critically assesses the reform policy and weighs up the chances of democratization of the long-time military regime.

Variations saisonnières des facteurs hydrologiques et du biovolume microalgal benthique au sein d'un habitat artificiel (acadja-enclos) dans la lagune Ebrié: site d'Adjapoté

This paper presents the results of a comparative study of chemical and physical characteristics (temperature, oxygen, salinity, turbidity, pH, nutrient: phosphates, nitrates, nitrites, ammoniac) within the extensive aquaculture structure (acadja-enclosure or artificial habitats for fishes) and in the surrounding water. Biological characteristics of the periphyton growing on bamboos from acadja-enclosure were also described.

Les représentations sociales d'une discipline scolaire - l'activité scientifique - et de sa place au sein des autres disciplines formant le curriculum chez des instituteurs marocains

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans les préoccupations récentes du système scolaire marocain à l'égard de la qualité de l'éducation. Ces préoccupations consistent à considérer l'enseignement fondamental (le primaire) non seulement comme un lieu pour apprendre à lire, à écrire et à compter pour se préparer aux études ultérieures, mais aussi, et surtout, comme un lieu de formation de qualité pour tous. La recherche s'intéresse particulièrement à la contribution d'une matière scolaire, l'activité scientifique, à cette formation. L'auteur dégage de la problématique que l'exploitation de l'activité scientifique à la formation des élèves nécessite une analyse à trois niveaux. Le premier est celui des enjeux qu'elle véhicule. Le deuxième niveau est celui du statut qu'occupe cette discipline au sein des autres disciplines. Le troisième est celui de l'implication de cette discipline dans des activités d'enseignement-apprentissage qui s'assurent la cohérence du curriculum . Pour explorer les dimensions retenues, l'auteur s'est intéressé aux représentations sociales que les principaux acteurs scolaires, les instituteurs, détiennent à l'égard de chacune d'elles. L'étude menée s'est basée sur des entrevues réalisées auprès de 32 instituteurs marocains.

Evaluation épidémiologique du programme genevois de dépistage du cancer du sein : 2007-2011

A l'instar de nombreux pays industrialisés, le cancer du sein est à Genève le cancer le plus fréquent (environ 460 cas par an) et la première cause de décès chez les femmes entre 45 et 55 ans. Depuis mars 1999, le Programme genevois de dépistage du cancer du sein a pour missions de promouvoir, d'organiser et de mener une action de prévention auprès de la population féminine du canton âgée de 50 à 69 ans. Ce rapport décrit l'évolution de 15 ans d'activité de dépistage (chapitre 2) et analyse l'utilisation (chapitre 3), la qualité (chapitre 4) et l'efficacité (chapitre 5) du programme genevois entre 2007 et 2011. Couvrant 86'720 mammographies et près de 37'000 femmes, ce rapport s'intéresse aussi, au-delà des indicateurs usuels de performance, à mieux estimer certains effets indésirables comme les résultats faussement positifs ou les cancers survenant entre 2 examens de dépistage (dits cancers d'intervalle).

Cancer du sein chez la jeune femme: traitements adjuvants et désir de grossesse [Breast cancer in young women: adjuvant therapy and fertility]

Prognosis of breast cancer women has been dramatically improved by the adjuvant therapies. As the vast majority of patients are cured, the importance of long-term quality of life is growing. The question of the maternity is an essential concern for the young women who have to receive chemotherapy or several years of endocrine therapy. This problem is often underestimated and may lead to emotional distress, depression or anxiety. A regional multidisciplinary working group was set up in order to offer optimal information about fertility and cancer as to propose specific therapeutic reproduction options, when applicable. Specificity of the young patients' breast cancer, the treatment approaches and their impact on fertility are discussed in this paper.