Key People


Publications Adviser

Robin Burms (Dr)

Robin Burns has a PhD in Comparative Education as well as qualifications in Psychology, Anthropology and Sociology and Public Health, and was a brief time in the Australian Diplomatic Service.  She taught across development, peace, multicultural, women’s and health education and has considerable experience in development and peace international NGOs. She is the author of almost 100 articles, and the book “’Just tell them I survived!’ Women in Antarctica”. Additionally, she co- edited “Three Decades of Peace Education around the World” (with Robert Aspeslagh) and “Contemporary Perspectives on Comparative Education” (with Anthony Welch). After supervising many post-graduate students, in ‘retirement’ she enjoys mentoring young researchers. 

 

 


 Conference General Manager

Morgan Macdonald, Master of Arts, Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development, Australian National University

Morgan Macdonald has recently returned from Myanmar where he worked for four years as a curriculum developer with Mote Oo Education, an organisation producing context appropriate materials and services for the adult education sector in Myanmar and Myanmar’s border areas. He spent considerable time travelling throughout Myanmar to speak with a wide range of teachers and other educators to produce two social science textbooks for Myanmar learners: ASEAN: A Social Science Course for ASEAN Citizens and the forthcoming Research Skills. Prior to working in Myanmar he worked in Cambodia for three years with land rights and a women’s rights NGOs. He has a Master’s Degree in Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development from Australian National University.


Resource Mobilisation Adviser

Cathy Kyi Kyi Win Oo, Executive Master in Developmental Studies, Graduate Institute of Geneva

 

Cathy Kyi Kyi Win Oo started her career in the private sector, but turned to developmental  service in response to Cycle Nargis. She obtained Executive Master in Developmental Studies from the Graduate Institute of Geneva while co founding BusinessKind Myanmar. In 2013 Cathy moved to Hong Kong becoming the director of Hong Kong Myanmar Chamber of Commerce. She leads youth leadership skill training and exchange courses for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Myanmar Youths and supports a high school boarding home program in the Irradwaddy delta.

 


Youth Outreach Coordinator

Kirsty Dempsey, Master of International Relation, University of Melbourne

 

Kirsty Dempsey is a graduate of the Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne. Kirsty has a strong passion for young people and experience working with young people in a variety of roles in Myanmar and Australia. She most recently led the Myanmar portfolio at Oaktree, a youth-led organisation based in Melbourne, including organising two trips to Myanmar to visit Oaktree’s peer partners.
 
 

Management

Executive Administrator 

May Kyel Winn, Bachelor of Economics, Yangon Institute of Economics

MK pic

May Kyel Winn is the Executive administrator of AMI, responsible to the Director for the day-to-day management of the Institute.  She also supports the Institute’s relationships with academic, business and NGO actors in Myanmar and Australia, and with the diaspora in Australia.  

She is a graduate of the Institute of Economics (Yangon) and hold the Advanced Diploma in Business Management from Association of Business Executives (UK).  Before migrating to Australia, she held the position responsible for office administration and management in the English Language Teaching Centre at the British Council in Yangon.  She worked with the British Council in different capacities for 15 years, with her most recent position being that of English Operations Manager.  In these positions May Kyel built trust with the British Council’s long term loyalty partners including government ministries, businesses, NGOs and a wide variety of Myanmar and international personalities.