Economist and Myanmar expert Professor Sean Turnell was awarded the Dunlop Asialink Medal for 2024, as announced by the University of Melbourne on October 9.
The Dunlop Medal recognizes outstanding records of achievement in improving Australia-Asia relations and enhancing the quality of life in the region. The medal has previously been awarded to prominent Australians, including the former foreign minister Julie Bishop, international policymaker Professor Gareth Evans AC KC, and Gabi Hollows AO.
Professor Sean Turnell began serving as an economic advisor to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2017. After the military coup, he became the first foreign national closely associated with the NLD government to be detained.
He was sentenced to three years in prison by the military junta under Myanmar's Official Secrets Act, Section 3(1)(c). The military junta granted him pardon and released him on November 17, 2022.
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