Our Mission
We work alongside communities in Myanmar’s conflict-affected regions to strengthen resilience, support everyday well-being, and contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Our approach combines locally grounded knowledge with shared learning and practical support. Together with community members and partners, we focus on reducing risks, supporting health and education, and creating spaces where people can better understand and engage with the social and civic issues that shape their lives.
At the heart of our mission is a simple belief: lasting change is most meaningful and sustainable when it is led by the communities themselves.
Our Journey
ASJ was formed in response to the urgent and evolving needs of communities facing conflict and instability in Myanmar. From the beginning, our work has been shaped by the realities on the ground and guided by the experiences of those most affected.
Our journey has grown through close collaboration with local communities, civil society groups, and partners who are actively working to support one another in challenging conditions. Rather than applying fixed solutions, we adapt our approach based on what communities identify as most important in their own contexts.
This includes:
- Listening to and documenting lived experiences of conflict and change
- Supporting community-led efforts to stay safe and manage risks
- Strengthening access to health, education, and social support
- Encouraging dialogue around gender equality and inclusion
- Creating opportunities to explore ideas of rights, governance, and participation
Over time, our work has brought together research and practice — not as separate efforts, but as connected processes that help communities respond, adapt, and plan for the future.
Our vision is a Myanmar where people are able to live with dignity, shape their own futures, and participate meaningfully in a just and inclusive society.
Our Team
ASJ is made up of dedicated local professionals who bring deep understanding of the communities they are part of and serve. Their work is rooted in lived experience, local knowledge, and a shared commitment to social justice and collective well-being.
We also collaborate with a wider network of partners, including civil society organizations, regional practitioners, and international supporters. These relationships allow us to exchange knowledge, strengthen our approaches, and remain connected to both local realities and broader perspectives.
A central part of our work is carried forward by local partners and community members themselves. Their leadership, initiative, and day-to-day efforts are what make meaningful change possible. Our role is to support, learn from, and work alongside them.
Our Milestones
These moments reflect how our work has evolved in response to changing contexts and community needs:
April 2021 — Formation of ASJ
ASJ was established in response to the urgent need for community-centered support and social justice in Myanmar.
May 2021 — Responding to Change
Initial efforts focused on understanding and documenting how communities were affected by rapid socio-political developments.
July 2023 — Expanding Community Safety Efforts
Community-led risk reduction activities were strengthened, focusing on practical ways to improve safety, preparedness, and everyday resilience.
February 2024 — Growing Learning and Dialogue Spaces
New initiatives were introduced to support community discussions on democracy, human rights, and federalism, in collaboration with local partners.
Our Guiding Principles
Our work is shaped by a set of shared principles that reflect both our values and the ways we engage with communities:
Dignity and Justice
We believe every person deserves to live with dignity, safety, and fairness, regardless of their circumstances.
Centering Lived Experience
The knowledge and experiences of communities guide our work. Listening is the starting point for everything we do.
Strengthening Local Capacity
We support communities in building on their own strengths, skills, and systems to navigate challenges and create change.
Strengthening Local Capacity
Change is most effective when it is shared. We work in collaboration with communities, civil society, and partners at different levels.
Our Work in Practice
Our work focuses on strengthening ongoing community efforts through shared learning, collaboration, and practical support:
Risk Reduction and Safety
Supporting communities to develop and share approaches that help reduce risks and improve safety in unstable environments.
Health and Education Support
Working with local partners to strengthen access to knowledge, services, and everyday practices that support well-being and learning.
Gender Equality and Inclusion
Encouraging dialogue and action that promote equality, address gender-based harm, and support safer, more inclusive communities.
Civic Awareness and Participation
Creating spaces for communities to explore ideas around democracy, human rights, and federalism in ways that are relevant to their lives.
