About Progressive Voice

Vision

Progressive Voice envisions a federal democratic Myanmar that is free of discrimination and upholds the principles of peace, justice, self-determination, and human rights.

Mission

Our mission is to amplify the voices from the ground for principled, rights-based engagement and policy on Myanmar at a local, national, and international level through cooperative, collaborative, and participatory research, analysis, and advocacy.

Organizational Background

Progressive Voice was born out of Burma Partnership, a network of organizations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, advocating for and mobilizing a movement for democracy and human rights in Myanmar that was established in 2006. Given the political changes in Myanmar since 2011, as well as the shifting civil society landscape inside the country and along the Thailand-Myanmar border where Burma Partnership was founded, Burma Partnership identified the need for a participatory rights-based research and advocacy organization rooted in civil society that draws on the concerns and perspectives of vulnerable, marginalized, and disenfranchised communities, which is then used to advocate at the policy-making level, both domestically and internationally. Based on Burma Partnership's existing strengths, networks, and values, as well as the changing political and civil society landscape, Progressive Voice was founded on 10 October 2016 to create a link between the rights-based movement on the ground and the policymakers at the highest level through its rights-based research and advocacy.

Who we are

Progressive Voice is a participatory rights-based research and advocacy organization rooted in civil society that maintains strong networks and relationships with civil society organizations and community-based organizations throughout Myanmar. It acts as a bridge to the international community and international policymakers by amplifying voices from the ground and advocating for rights-based engagement and policy on Myanmar.

Underpinning our work and identity is a commitment to human rights principles. We stand for the universality, inalienability, and absolute nature of human rights and do not discriminate against people on grounds of race, color, nationality, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, social standing, religion, political, or other beliefs.

We maintain a gender-inclusive staffing policy that also draws strength from the ethnic and religious diversity of its staff while also aiming to foster and develop a young generation of people in Myanmar, particularly from marginalized communities, for the sustainability of the organization, as well as contribute to the discourse and work towards federal democracy in Myanmar. Decision-making is principled, collective, and consensus-oriented within Progressive Voice, ensuring the values of equality, inclusivity, and active participation.

Our research is done ethically, following the principle of 'do no harm.' Based on this research, we produce principled analysis and provide policy recommendations that remain non-aligned and independent of any political parties or political and religious institutions.

Our Strategy

Following the military's illegal coup attempt in 2021, we immediately developed and implemented a two-pronged approach — providing immediate support to address the urgent needs of people on the ground and protecting human rights while seeking long-term solutions to the complex, multifaceted crisis. As the crisis in Myanmar continues to deepen, the demand for emergency support and human rights protection is growing significantly across the country. Simultaneously, addressing the root cause of the crisis is critical for achieving peace and justice, ending the impunity of the military, and establishing a federal democratic Myanmar.

We take a consultative, collaborative, and participatory approach, working in close partnership and collaboration with local civil society organizations, community-based organizations, grassroots networks, and regional and international organizations. This is to ensure that our strategies, action plans, and advocacy messaging are coordinated and reflect local communities' voices, concerns, recommendations, and aspirations.

The following are our main strategies for pursuing change:

1. Research: Produce independent rights-based research analyses that provide policy recommendations based on the ground realities in Myanmar.
2. Advocate: Amplify local voices and advocate to domestic, regional, and international policymakers for principled and right-based engagement and policy, as well as long-term solutions that reflect the voices, concerns, and calls of the Myanmar people.
3. Protect Human Rights: Address urgent needs and strengthen local initiatives and solutions to the complex multifaceted crisis in Myanmar that enhance the survival, awareness, harmony, resiliency, and sustainability of local human rights defenders, changemakers, and displaced communities.
4. Promote Justice and Accountability: Promote justice and accountability for the decades-long grave crimes committed by the Myanmar military and end the cycle of its impunity.