I am new to work on Burma, but in my eight weeks of involvement to date I am finding the world of Burma advocacy rigid and doctrinal. There is just one overarching narrative: the struggle of the Burmese democracy movement, led by Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, against the repressive Burmese generals. It is a classic tale of good vs. evil, and thus perfect for political mobilization on behalf of a just cause.The problem is that the political struggle is stuck, while the Burmese people suffer in isolation.

– Extracted from the introduction of Joel Charny, “Burma: Are solidarity and humanitarian response incompatible?”, Refugees International, 16 April 2008.