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Aung San Suu Kyi
A Story of Compassion, Bravery and Forgiveness
Freedom and democracy
are dreams you never give up.
Aung San Suu Kyi
T
he leadership legacies of Aung
San Suu Kyi have not just
inspired the Burmese, but also
the rest of the world. Having won the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1991 and several honorary
awards, Suu Kyi proved that her leadership
asiasociety.org
principles are worth emulating. Despite being
under house arrest, she continued fighting for
democracy in Myanmar.
Suu Kyi grew up in the world of politics.
Her father, General Aung San, is Burma’s
independence hero. She did not see her
Leadership Principles Worth
has spoken in several rallies and
her life. The opposite applies for Suu
father’s struggles because he died when she
Emulating
campaigned for justice. However, she
Kyi. She said, “In some ways, I don’t
is known to be quick in apologizing
think they did anything to me. They
when necessary.
placed me under house arrest, but that
was just two years old. She continued the
principles her father fought for as Burma
▶ Don’t just say what you want to say or
▶ Willingness to sacrifice to fight for
struggled for genuine freedom. She worked at
do what you want to do. As a leader,
the United Nations in New York and traveled
Aung San Suu Kyi believes that
to different countries. For a while, she stayed
people follow every word a leader
imprisonment is no joke. Many
in the UK to raise her children --- but her
says. Leaders have to be very careful.
politicians claiming to be “just” won’t
heart remained in Myanmar.
She learned the value of meditation
take this kind of sacrifice to take a
and took insight meditation classes
stand. For Suu Kyi, despite being kept
in 1990 could have instituted the awaited
at Oxford University. She is now more
away from her family, she learned to
change, but prior to their party’s victory, she
patient because of this technique.
deal with inherent “consequences” of
was detained. Suu Kyi was imprisoned for 21
She believes meditation helps in
her commitment and dedication. She
years and was released in 2010. Although
withstanding physical and mental
knows that this kind of sacrifice will
Myanmar still has a long way to go in pushing
pressure.
bear fruits.
ASEAN-Life
someone who was imprisoned for a
Looking for Sales
Representative.
The success of her opposition party
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for democratic reforms, Daw Aung San Suu
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MAR-APR 2014
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▶ Abhor hypocrisy but acknowledge
what is right. 21 years of political
▶ The value of love and forgiveness. For
Kyi leads fearlessly and confidently, a worthy
shortcomings. Burmese people have
trait for an intergenerational population of
always felt her sincerity. She keeps
long time fighting for justice, one can
Burmese citizens to follow.
on searching for deeper truths. She
assume that anger and hatred ruled
gave me time to read.” In her heart,
love and forgiveness still reigns.
In Myanmar, Suu Kyi seems to have a
“rock star” status. People cheer and listen
to her whenever she is around. This is the
type of leader who has the genuine love and
support of her followers.
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