Meg Munn

"PM announces measures to encourage people to have more children"

Not a new eye catching policy to improve our government's standing in the polls but a headline in a Singaporean newspaper. So different is the approach of this South East Asian nation's government to low fertility rates that it funds several dating agencies.

While culturally there are differences there are strong business and educational links between the UK and Singapore and many more areas of common interest. During a short visit I was struck by the determination of an Islamic school not only to ensure good academic standards but to develop their own religious leaders who understood modern Singapore and are therefore best able to help young people live out their faith.  Similarly, in the UK, there is a lot of work underway to develop the leadership skills of young people led by Muslim community organisations.

I also met Foreign Minister, George Yeo who as Chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations played an important part in getting Burma to accept international aid following cyclone Nargis. We discussed the future for Burma and what role neighbouring countries could play in trying to encourage greater democracy.

Posted at 11:50 20 August 2008 by Meg Munn  |  Comments[0]

Commemorating the uprising in Burma

This month marks 20 years since the 1988 uprising in Burma against its military regime. Many were killed and many imprisoned as the demonstrations were brutally suppressed.  On Monday night we held a reception in the Foreign Office to mark the occasion and remember those who died and to pay tribute to all those who then and since have struggled for the freedom of the Burmese people.
 
About 100 people attended including many Burmese people who live in the UK, representatives of non governmental organisations who are working for democracy in Burma and some former UK ambassadors to Burma. It was a real honour and pleasure to meet the sister-in-law and brother-in-law of Aung San Suu Kyi and also some of her friends.
 
I was joined by Shahid Malik MP, minister in the Department for International Development who spoke about our response to Cyclone Nargis and by Mark Canning, our excellent ambassador in Rangoon.

My speech is available to read.

Posted at 13:08 13 August 2008 by Meg Munn  |  Comments[0]