University of San Francisco to
Confer Honorary Doctorate on Suu Kyi for her Nonviolent Actions in Pursuit of
Democracy
SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 26, 2012) – Nobel Peace
Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, renowned Burmese opposition leader and
chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Burma, will reunite with
the Burmese community of the Bay Area during a town-hall style meeting at the
University of San Francisco’s War Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday, Sept. 29 from
9:15-10:45 a.m.
During this town-hall meeting, Suu Kyi will receive an honorary
doctorate from the University of San Francisco in recognition for her years of extraordinary
work giving voice to the marginalized and strength for the oppressed. After
accepting the honorary degree, Suu Kyi will address the audience and answer
questions from the community. The ceremony will be streamed live on www.usfca.edu/suukyi.
“We are looking to our beloved leader for guidance on how we can
contribute to rebuilding our country,” said Htain Linn, a member of the Bay
Area Burmese community working on the Sept. 29 event. “Daw Suu inspires our
long awaited dream of freedom.” The Bay Area Burmese community is among the
largest in the United States and home to many democracy activists.
“USF is honored to serve as the home for this event working in
partnership with the San Francisco Bay Area Burmese community to shine a ray of
light on Burma at this pivotal moment in its history,” said USF President
Stephen A. Privett, S.J.
In December 2007, the University honored the Buddhist monks of Burma at
a commencement ceremony with an honorary doctorate for their courage,
compassion, and commitment in seeking to protect the human and democratic
rights of the Burmese people in the face of a harshly brutal military
dictatorship. It was this proven commitment to social justice that led the
local Burmese community to select USF as the venue location for this historic
visit by the 67-year-old Nobel laureate, who spent 15 years under house arrest
for opposing military rule. This trip to the United States marks her first
return since she worked at the United Nations in New York City from 1969 to
1971.
For more information, please visit suu-sf.blogspot.com/ or www.usfca.edu/suukyi.
Journalists interested in covering the Sept. 29 community meeting at
USF or submitting a question for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, must register by
Thursday, Sept. 27 by contacting Wai Phyo at (415) 577-6505 or wphyoe29@gmail.com or Anne-Marie
Devine at (415) 422-2697 or abdevine@usfca.edu. Only registered media will be admitted. USF’s War Memorial
Gymnasium is located at 2335 Golden Gate Avenue (at Roselyn Terrace) in San
Francisco.
About the University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is
located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities
and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve
excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to
faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF
is San Francisco's first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps
ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World
from Here.” For more information, please visit www.usfca.edu.
