More people, especially young people, are realising that if they want change, they've got to go about it themselves – they can't depend on a particular person, ie me, to do all the work. They are less easy to fool than they used to be, they now know what's going on all over the world.

When I was under house arrest, it was the BBC that spoke to me - I listened.

Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.

It would be difficult to dispel ignorance unless there is freedom to pursue the truth unfettered by fear.

I've always said that the more coordinated the efforts of the international community are, the better it will be for democracy in Burma.

You must remember that democracy is made up not only of the executive, but the legislature and the judiciary.

In Burma, we need to improve education in the country - not only primary education, but secondary and tertiary education. Our education system is very very bad. But, of course, if you look at primary education, we have to think in terms of early childhood development that's going back to before the child is born - making sure the mother is well nourished and the child is properly nurtured.