On Mael Raynaud

The sudden, tragic, and untimely death of Mael Raynaud is a loss that will long be felt directly among those who endeavored to understand the dynamics of Myanmar, and indirectly by those who might have benefited from his analyses. He was a man committed to improving the sorry state of affairs in Myanmar and especially among those portions of the population who had been essentially excluded from even the limited fruits of development that had begun to occur, but which are now stymied.  His work and those of his colleagues sought to understand the complex changes that Myanmar was facing in order that the administration be equipped to provide for its people. He was among the few foreigners both intellectually and emotionally seriously engaged in Myanmar. At a personal level, his exuberance, enthusiasm, and commitment were all apparent at the luncheon we shared a month before his death. His intellectual curiosity was so evident in his exploration of Washington itself at that time and the pride he felt and described in his home district of France. We shared a passion for the writings of 16th century Montaigne, from near his home area. His is a loss we will mourn for both personal and professional reasons.

David Steinberg

Distinguished professor of Asian studies emeritus

Georgetown University