Judy Tin-May Thein

Judy Tin-May Thein "was, until her retirement in December 2005, political specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, in which capacity she analyzed and interpreted local political, economic, and social developments for the U.S. mission, supported the promotion of human rights and democracy in Burma, and called for higher standards of education and health for those in the Burmese democracy movement. As the embassy's senior-most local employee, she served as a vital link between the U.S. embassy and Burmese political groups, evaluating and relaying information vital to the formulation of U.S. foreign policy toward Burma. Prior to joining the U.S. mission, she was office administrator and finance comptroller for a USAID project office in Rangoon. Before that, she taught English and mathematics for nearly a decade. A steadfast proponent of democratic change in her country, Ms. Thein won the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service National of the Year Award in 1998 and its Meritorious Honor Award in 1997 and 2001. Ms. Thein is spending her fellowship exploring strategies for strengthening civil society and the Burmese democracy movement, including ways in which the international community may assist in their efforts."

• NED Past Fellows