Co-creating Tactics with Myanmar Citizens
Over the course of 8 months, we joined Localization Lab to facilitate the co-creation of materials with citizens of Myanmar.
Since the events of February 2021, the country has had interruptions in communications and internet connectivity. Power outages have swept the country. It’s become more difficult to be online and to connect with others. Further, with terrorism as the new normal, violence has taken lives and destroyed hope for many.
The lack of dependable internet makes it difficult for people to stay connected. Apps like Facebook Messenger or Signal are popular channels for communication. Both are reliant on the internet. The lack of internet eliminates these channels. While SMS and phone calls remain, they are very fragile and under unwavering surveillance. Messages are watched. Phone calls are monitored.
Not only are people being isolated from losing communication, for those who oppose the military junta, leaving their home is becoming increasingly dangerous. One could wear the "wrong color" without knowing and get slapped in the face. Or be stopped for a phone inspection. It's not safe to go out in public as one normally would before the events of February 2021. It's not safe to communicate as one would before the coup.
In the midst of these basic disruptions, we've learned how people have found ways to persist. Group interviews and discussions with other partners revealed possible ways people can adapt so they can have confidence to leave their homes or share information.
The results of this research and co-design process hope to make it easier for people to get and share advice outside of the digital security bubble. First, the materials address the pressure point of severed communication and shrinking physical space. Second, they seek to address scenarios in which the internet is not available.
This initiative is one of many procured by international and local organizations to support the citizens of Myanmar.
The Tactics project was designed to provide digestible, actionable tips that can easily be shared. The package contains 20 campaign posters and GIFs; plus 2 sticker designs.
View and download the full set and localized versions on the Localization Lab website: https://www.localizationlab.org/myanmar-resources
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Thank you to the wonderful crew of contributors!
Localization Lab and Okthanks facilitated this work in an effort to make security advice more accessible and available to a broad audience. It was not possible without the brains, talents and skills of our contributors. Thank you.
📣 Thank you to the citizens (anonymous contributors) of Myanmar who have helped us understand pressure points and remedies. And who have written copy, helped localize and translate.
📣 Thank you to the individuals from partner organizations who have provided guidance and peer reviews throughout the span of this project.
📣 Thank you to Ink Giant for crafting illustrations.
📣 Thank you to Atria Studio for producing the GIF animations.