RANGOON, Burma -- On December 17, 2008, MUSFEX: Myanmar-United States Friendship Exchange alumni association members launched an anti-plastic campaign at the American Center in Rangoon. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Reject and Return motto of the plastic products and packagings.  MUSFEX is partnering with a local young environmentalist group, LOME: Lovers of Myanmar Environment.

Drake Weisert, assistant public affairs officer at the American Embassy, addressed the the group with an inaugural speech. A prominent film director and Academy Award (Burmese Oscar) winner Maung Myo Min (Yindwinpyit) and environmental activist Wira from LOME, spoke about the "Working for a Greener World" program. Over 130 attendees, including alumni, students, NGO staff, businessmen, film artists, and environmental lovers took part in discussion about the anti-plastic campaign. They also supported LOME and MUSFEX by purchasing cloth and paper bags, and T-shirts. LOME entertained the audience with the song "We are the World" and other environmental songs.

MUSFEX members are planning to work with LOME in campaigning at local fairs and pagoda festivals to reach six townships in Burma. 

From Born To Toddler

A baby was born at the American Center on August 18, 2004, when US Embassy in Rangoon’s Public Affairs Section hosted a reception celebrating a half-century of United States Visitor Exchange Programs in Burma. The baby was christened as MUSFEX  -- the Myanmar-United States Friendship Exchange. Soon after its birth, the newly born infant grouped alumni of the Humphrey Fellowship program, the International Visitor Leadership Programs, the Mason Fellows, TESOL and Jefferson Fellows.

Grace Swe Zin Htike, an associate member of MUSFEX, has just organized a workshop on Documentary Film Production in cooperation with Ithaca Movies Inc. of New York.

Mr. Robert Lieberman, President of Ithaca Movies  and Professor of Physics with Cornell University coached at the eight day workshop at the American Center, while Grace facilitated him.

The outcome of the workshop was a documentary film on history of MUSFEX entitled  " From Born to Toddler". The final narration will be made by Thiha Saw, Vice President of MUSFEX, Dr. Aye Aye Yee, General Secretary,  and Nant Esther, exceutive member of MUSFEX on February 1, 2009.

On the day of inauguration of US President Mr Barack Obama the Myanmar- United States Friendship Exchange (MUSFEX) web site www.musfex.org comes successfully online.

Congratulations, President Obama!

Congratulations, MUSFEX!

Obama....Oh! Burma... Hello! Burma!  :)