Former Burmese academic Than Than Nwe, now based at CQU Rockhampton, has been interviewed for ABC Radio's 'Way of Peace' program, due to be broadcast on Radio National in November.

The geography lecturer and long-time Rockhampton resident can be heard on the 'Encounter' program on Sunday, November 4 at 7.10am (repeated the following Wednesday evening, November 7, at 7.10pm).

There will also be audio links (streaming and podcast) on the 'Encounter' website. This will be available from November 7 onwards at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/enc/default.htm .

Ms Nwe has been in Rockhampton around 15 years but returns to her home country at least once a year.

She said there was a close relationship between Burma's sangha (congregation of monks) and the general population.

"Initially the view of most people, including the monks themselves, is that they would not be treated harshly, especially as all that the monks were doing was to demonstrate their own feelings (or to express people's feelings on the people's behalf) by walking along the streets chanting prayers.

"That action was taken in the way that it has been demonstrates clearly that threats will not be tolerated and that harsh treatment will be used without any qualm.

"The involvement of the monks has now meant a spiritual force is behind the democracy movement. The monks' sacrifice has altered the dynamics of international discussion of Burma to a new level."