RANGOON — Internationally acclaimed writer Amitav Ghosh spoke in Rangoon on Sunday at an event marking the birthday of the late former UN Secretary General U Thant, Jan. 22.
The best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction works, including “The Glass Palace,” which was set partly in Burma, delivered a lecture called “Climate Change and a Rising” Asia at U Thant’s former home in Windermere, near Rangoon University.
U Thant’s house has recently been restored and opened to the public as a museum in his honor.
Thant Myint U, the grandson of the former secretary general and co-chairman of the U Thant House Trust, gave introductory remarks, calling it “very fitting” to discuss climate change in U Thant’s home.
“U Thant was a passionate believer and early advocate of environmental protection,” Thant Myint U said.
“We hope U Thant’s house will continue to be not just a museum, but also a venue for talks on issues related to U Thant’s life and legacy, such as peace, human rights, sustainable development and climate change,” he added.
More than 120 people attended Sunday’s event, including Tin Oo, the party patron of the National League for Democracy (NLD), political figures, civil society leaders, diplomats and UN officials.
