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Migrations Program

Wa Communities in the China-Myanmar Borderlands

A pagoda in Myanmar.
March 22, 2024

By Magnus Fiskesjö

The Wa is an ethnicity in the borderlands of China and Myanmar (Burma). In the 1950s and 1960s, their ancient land was divided for the first time by these two modern states. Before this watershed moment in Wa history, the Wa were famous as independent, practically invincible warrior-farmers, much feared in their region despite having no kings and no regular army. These Wa farmer-warriors were deeply engaged in their regional economy through trade in mining products, as well as in opium, and, as a result, the British colonial officers who tried but failed to incorporate them into their empire could not but marvel at the wealth of the Wa. Since the division, the formerly independent Wa communities have been transformed on both sides of the border: on the Chinese side, into drastically impoverished regular peasants under Chinese rule; and, on Burmese territory, since 1989, into peasants under a new type of Wa elite in the Wa state—a semi-state governed by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). Both in China and in Myanmar, the Wa are officially listed as an indigenous ethnic minority. In China, there is local autonomy in name only. In Myanmar, the UWSA is an ethnonationalistic Wa elite with an army of considerable power and occupies a fraught position in the geopolitics of the fragmented state of Myanmar, which the UWSA recognizes even as it seeks even greater autonomy. Both contemporary Wa societies are dramatically different from the past, although many cultural traditions continue.

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  • Human Security

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Art and Architecture of Migration and Discrimination: Turkey, Pakistan, and their European Diasporas

Book cover Art and Architecture of Migration and Discrimination

Author: Edited by Esra Akcan and Iftikhar Dadi

By Our Faculty

This book brings together essays by established and emerging scholars that discuss Pakistan, Turkey, and their diasporas in Europe. Together, the contributions show the scope of diverse artistic media, including architecture, painting, postcards, film, music, and literature, responding to the partitions of the twentieth century and the Muslim diasporas in Europe.

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52.95

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  • Book

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Publication Year: 2023

ISBN: 9781003410010

Global Impact Graduate Fellowships

Application Timeframe: Spring
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Details

We're looking for graduate students to join the Einaudi Center's inequalities, identities, and justice team as they map out a new global studies curriculum. Apply now to be a fellow in the spring 2024 semester!

Graduate fellows receive a stipend of $1,000 for the semester.


New in 2024: Global Impact Fellows

Launching in spring 2024, this opportunity is open to grad students from all research disciplines with a demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary and/or international work. Selected fellows will form a focus group to develop a global studies curriculum for a future Einaudi Center graduate certificate.

Global Impact Fellows will meet regularly through the spring 2024 semester with faculty fellows Edward E. Baptist and Jennifer Newsom. You'll play a crucial role in designing syllabi and presenting a showcase of graduate research with global impact.


Inequalities, Identities, and Justice

The Einaudi Center supports public scholarship and thought leadership to address inequalities experienced across the globe, including cleavages in society like race, religion, gender and sexuality, class, caste, language, and ethnicity. We seek to identify opportunities for transformative change and increased justice in migration and citizenship regimes, climate and land policy, economic opportunities, food systems, health, politics, and policing.


Deadline

January 24, 2024

Amount

Stipend of $1,000 for the spring semester.

How to Apply

Email a letter of interest to Sarah Pattison, associate director of academic programs. Selected students will be notified by February 2, 2024. Your letter should outline the following:

  • Your background in interdisciplinary and/or international work (through research projects, coursework, or other experiences);
  • How the fellowship will advance your research, graduate studies, or career goals;
  • What interests you about global studies and Einaudi's planned curriculum development (see blue box above).

Questions?

If you have questions about the fellowship or your application, email Einaudi Center academic programs
 

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Landmark African Migrant Rights Principles

Migration, reflections of people. Photo: Unsplash
November 28, 2023

GPV Fellow Presents Rights-based Framework at 77th Ordinary Session

The Guiding Principles emerged from a Global Public Voices collaboration between Ian Kysel (Cornell Law) and Maya Sahli-Fadel.

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  • Human Security

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