In Burma, we have only about four percent of the people in our country who are (college) graduates. So can we not value the majority? No, we must. If we just value the graduates, then does that mean our people are not valuable? I don't believe that. What is important is we need right people in right positions.

It is not a sacrifice, it's a choice. If you choose to do something, then you shouldn't say it's a sacrifice, because nobody forced you to do it

What does Burma have to give the United States? We can give you the opportunity to engage with people who are ready and willing to change a society.

My top priority is for people to understand that they have the power to change things themselves.

People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.

If you can make people understand why freedom is so important through the arts, that would be a big help.

Fearlessness may be a gift, but perhaps most precious is courage from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions.