Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Yangon Office

Myanmar 2020 Election Dossier

Myanmar is scheduled to hold its general elections on November 8^th, 2020. In this dossier, the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Yangon office presents analysis and opinion – mostly by Myanmar authors – about the experience of democratic politics and about expectations for the future. Many observers say that Myanmar is in the middle of a democratic transition. But how do people in Myanmar actually look at the politics of the last few years? How do they judge the current state of things and what do they hope and expect for the future?

In 2020, there will be around 5 million first-time voters in Myanmar, and it is likely that most of these youth will not be voting. Rock your Vote aims to raise awareness on the importance of voting and on the role music plays in politics. The project supported by Heinrich Boell Stiftung Yangon office consists of two parts: 1). In-studio Live Music Program with Bands 2). Collaborative Music Making with radical Hip Hop artists. Turning Table Myanmar believe that a word of encouragement or a piece of information or advice shared by influential radical artists will effectively push their followers, mainly the youth, to participate in the 2020 election process.

HBS_DRAFT Pre-elections Assessment_Cover

Myanmar on the road towards the 2020 elections

Myanmar’s elections are scheduled for 8 November 2020. In July 2020, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Yangon office, has commissioned a remote assessment by an international elections specialist to take stock of the pre-electoral situation and shed light on open questions and ongoing developments. The assessment, based on past experiences and worldwide good practices for election implementation, takes the Covid-19 pandemic situation into account and provides important recommendations for electoral stakeholders.

pdf

barbara_unmuessig_heinrich-boell-stiftung

“The Pandemic Is Deepening the Divide"

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economy are dramatic. The virus is shaking all major economies simultaneously. Rescue packages are being adopted, billions are being spent. Capital is being diverted away from the emerging economies. At the same time, the fight against the pandemic is increasing the national debt of many countries enormously and the crisis is acting as an accelerator for the developing countries that were already highly in debt. An Interview with Barbara Unmüßig, President of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, on the latest developments.

The Plastic Atlas has the hard facts, data and figures to prove that the story of plastic that industry is telling us is a myth. We need urgent and drastic reductions in plastic production and consumption and regulation at the local, national and global level that tackle plastic pollution at the source. HBS provides articles in both Burmese and English language on its webpage.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s office is monitoring air quality in Yangon and publishing real time data by using airveda device. Air quality measurements will serve as an indicator for us to know how safe the air we are breathing. Click here for details, past data and more background.

Plastic Atlas Myanmar

This animation produced by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung is based on the publication of Plastic Atlas which has the hard facts, data and figures to prove that much of the story of plastic that industry is telling us is a myth. We need urgent and drastic reductions in plastic production, consumption and regulation at the local, national and global levels that tackle plastic pollution at the source.

"Dealing with the Dragon": A China-Myanmar Road Movie

“Dealing with the Dragon” is a documentary road movie that follows the emerging China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) all the way from Muse at the China border to Kyaukphyu at the Bay of Bengal. The CMEC includes pipelines, special economic zones, a deep-sea port, new roads and high-speed rail infrastructure, connecting China to the Indian Ocean. The film records the opinions of local people, talking about their experiences and about the opportunities and risks of CMEC investments. Who will be the winners, and who will be the losers, of this mega-project?

Dossier: The Dangers of Coal

Coal is one of the most polluting forms of energy production - dangerous for the environment, for health, and for the climate and thus the planet as a whole. Still, in Myanmar, the use of coal continues and is even envisaged to expand, for power production as well as for industrial process heat. This dossier presents two documentary videos that look at the current usage of coal in Myanmar and in Thailand, respectively, and at the plans to expand coal use for power production and industry purposes. It also includes an article that shows how plans for coal power plants in Myanmar have emerged and changed over time, not least as a result of popular resistance against coal.

Music Video Sachet

Transition This!

Under this music video sachet, 5 music videos resulted from the project of “Transition This” produced by Turning Table Myanmar promote the freedom of expression through the creative means of music and film on Myanmar’s democratic transition. These creative music videos provide the youths a space to express their opinion freely; and give them opportunities of their voice being heard.

Environmental Governance

Civil Society and Police in Forest Protection: The Largest Teak Tree in the World

Transformation of Environmental and Natural Resource Management in Myanmar in the last 5 Years

The NLD government’s actions on the environment have not changed significantly in five years. Laws are still being amended; there are weaknesses in the enforcement of existing laws. The environmental ministry’s 30 year plan from 2001 is still being implemented as before.

By Ei Phyu Mon

Power Lines of a Village Micro Grid, near Bagan

Myanmar's Power Sector and Renewable Energy Development under the NLD Government

Renewable energy development played a rather limited role in the last five years of NLD government. Plans to build more coal power plants were not implemented but are still on the table. In the meantime, gas power has become the NLD’s preferred short-term solution to address the ongoing energy shortage. The fight for a better energy policy – against fossil fuels, for renewables – needs to go on.

By Pyi Pyi Thant

Worse than Bangkok

People frequently ask: Is air quality in Yangon better or worse than Bangkok? The answer is clear.

By Dr. Axel Harneit-Sievers and Dr. Rixta Sievers

Bad in the Dry Season, but not even Great in the Rains: Yangon Air Quality over the Year

Air pollution from small particulate matter leads to serious health risks. A review of one year of air quality data collected by hbs Yangon shows that air quality in Myanmar’s commercial capital is hardly ever “good”, and it is especially bad in the winter months and until May.

By Dr. Axel Harneit-Sievers and Dr. Rixta Sievers

The climate crisis is currently the biggest threat to all beings on earth

The climate crisis is becoming the biggest threat to all beings on earth. Myanmar is also suffering severe impacts of climate change. Groups of youth are active for climate strike movements in Myanmar inspired by Fridays for Future movement initiated by Greta Thunberg . Heinrich Böll Foundation Yangon Office, Myanmar interview Kyaw Ye Htet and Zay Lin Mon two organizers of “Strike for Climate Myanmar.” The interview took place on July 26, 2019.

By Dr. Axel Harneit-Sievers

More articles on Environmental Governance

Political Culture

2020 Election: Inclusive, Free and Fair? Perspectives of Marginalized Minorities

Disenfranchisement of minority populations will make the 2020 general elections not fully free and fair. The next administration must be encouraged and supported to prioritize addressing the issues of racial and religious conflict and discrimination.

By U Myo Win

Flying blind: Myanmar in the Covid-19 crisis

With low testing rates, but rising numbers of infections, Myanmar’s government is virtually flying blind trying to get on top of Covid-19 with a lockdown. The collapse of clothing exports to Europe has led to a sharp rise in unemployment, while armed conflicts continue, mostly in Rakhine State, and critical coverage of it has become a criminal offence.

By Dr. Axel Harneit-Sievers

Digital Frontlines during the Battle against COVID-19 in Myanmar

While struggling with mis/disinformation during COVID-19 pandemic period, the threat on the right to freedom of expression is on rise in Myanmar.

By Alison @ Ohnmar Nyunt

Uncalculated Risks: Threats and Attacks against Human Rights Defenders and the Role of Development Financiers

Compendium

A new report from the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and the Defenders in Development Campaign reveals the impact of ill-planned investments in infrastructure, energy, and development activities through 25 case studies around the world. The case of limestone quarry in Karen State in Myanmar with the loan of ADB is included as one of the 25 case studies in the report.

Updates from the Border: Humanitarian Operations after the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreements in Burma/Myanmar

Informal humanitarian operations continue to provide important services for many communities along the Thai-Burma/Myanmar border. However, since the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, these essential service providers are increasingly sidelined, both politically and financially.

By Yung Au (Nicole)

Publications

Myanmar on the road towards the 2020 elections

pdf

Plastic Atlas

pdf

Perspectives Asia: Asia for Future

This edition of Perspectives Asia presents the work of climate change activists in Asia who are calling their governments and people to action. With contributions from Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, China, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

pdf

China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: Challenges and Opportunities

The workshop on Belt and Road Initiative; Challenges and Opportunities was conducted in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay region. With the support of HBS Myanmar, local and international experts were invited and discussed on the challenges and opportunities of economic corridor of Myanmar and China, and its potential benefit and loss. This proceeding report written in Burmese included detail discussion of parliamentarian and CSO in three workshops.

pdf

Perspective Asia: Nationalisms and Populisms in Asia

The issue of this 7^thPerspectives Asia aims to draw a fine line between different forms of nationalism. The articles from various Asian countries focus on strategies and political styles adopted by populist leaders and explain how nationalistic and religious ideas are distorted by politics.

pdf

On the Road to Kyaukphyu: Issues and Debates around a Myanmar Special Economic Zone

The planned Kyaukphyu SEZ – a core aspect of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Myanmar –generates hopes for development and jobs, but also fears about loss of lands and livelihoods. Kyaukphyu needs transparency and local participation in project planning and implementation.

pdf

Updates from the Border: Humanitarian Operations after the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreements in Burma/Myanmar

pdf

Perspectives Asia: DigitalAsia

Over the last years, Asia has undergone an impressive digital transformation. Large parts of the continent have turned from the world’s factory into a creative industry.The different contributions across the continent highlight both the opportunities and risks of digitalization in Asia.

pdf

More Publications