Approximately 7,100 lives could be saved every year if Myanmar cancels its massive plan to build coal-fired power plants, and instead invest on renewable energy to meet the country’s electricity demand.
With recent announcements about the extension of Thilawa to Zone B and the planned construction of a fourth Special Economic Zone in the Yangon Region, it is important for Myanmar to draw on lessons learned and avoid negative repercussions on local communities. A new report by HBS Myanmar assesses social impacts entailed by the initial construction stages in Thilawa and Dawei, where thousands of villagers lost their land and livelihood opportunities.
Myanmar, being a member of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), is a net exporter of energy to its neighbors like China who get the lion‘s share of the country’s generated power. Energy production has so far been more harmful than helpful especially to people who live close to the production-sites. Plans from 2011, making the Thanlwin River a source of hydropower, now offer a chance to the NLD-led government to perform good governance.
The Myanmar Office of Heinrich Böll Foundation is seeking to the next possible date a full-time Program Coordinator Resource Governance and Development (natural resource governance; environmental and social justice; impact of FDI and ODA in Myanmar’s development) to join our Yangon team.
There is no doubt: Myanmar’s economic development requires energy. Only one third of the country’s population has access clean and reliable energy sources today. Thus, energy policy plays a key role in achieving sustainable development in Myanmar. But the recent energy master plan adopted by the government focuses on big hydro and coal power projects, largely neglecting the potential of alternative renewable energy source available in the country.
With Myanmar’s new investment bill, foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector are booming and business conglomerates are interested in expanding their agricultural production through contract farming. Yet, in the absence of effective mechanisms for poverty reduction and adequate land tenure security, the fruits of contract farming have often been harvested solely by companies.With Myanmar’s new investment bill, foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector are booming and business conglomerates are interested in expanding their agricultural production through contract farming. Yet, in the absence of effective mechanisms for poverty reduction and adequate land tenure security, the fruits of contract farming have often been harvested solely by companies.
What we eat is determined by more than just our preferences. Food choices are shaped by availability, culture and global economic structures. Tradition and wealth can influence what we eat, just as trade and foreign investments can influence our access to food. Due to the high degree of economic interdependence, the purchase of a food product in one country can affect the price development in another, ultimately restricting food choices. In short: Food is a highly political issue. Nowhere is this more true than in Asia.
In the presence of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi three video clips on violence against women, co-sponsored by HBS, were launched on 8 March 2017 in Naypyitaw at the International Women Day 2017 ceremony of the Department of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (DSW).
Yangon Film School has created three powerful documentary animations based on testimonies from survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Myanmar. The docuanimations were created with the support from Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Gender Equality Network, and the Government of Sweden.
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) Myanmar Office has started to support the growing LGBTI* movement in Myanmar, working on advocacy, assisting local organizations, promoting dialogue and supporting awareness raising campaigns of our local partners. The hbs MM's goal is to advocate an open tolerant society, in which gender and LGBTI* rights are openly being discussed and respected.
The Myanmar Program of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung seeks to contribute towards a democratic transition and an inclusive and sustainable development for the benefit of all people in Myanmar. The Myanmar program dates back to the early 2000s when the foundation decided to support civil society inside Myanmar by awarding scholarships to promising young students from all parts of Myanmar and advocating a pro-engagement approach. The office is currently working on two programs: Natural Resource Governance / Development and Political Culture. In the Natural Resource Governance Program HBS MM intends to improve the participation of local communities and civil society in decision-making processes around the exploitation of natural resources, large infrastructure projects and extractive industries. In particular Asian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is being scrutinized in this respect. In the Political Culture program HBS Myanmar promotes the development of a democratic Myanmar that respects fundamental human rights. In a media component the program promotes freedom of expression and freedom of press. In a gender component the program promotes gender and LGBTI* rights.
The Myanmar Office of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung has limited possibilities to offer internships for national and international students and interested young people. As an internal rule, we only offer internships for three months and more. We can offer some internship possibilities in 2017. Applicants should send us the following documents:
CV
Motivation letter
Short research proposal
hbs Myanmar wants all interns to follow a small research project related to our work in Myanmar. Therefore the research proposal is an important element in our decision, whom to offer an internship.
For any enquiries, please contact to info@mm.boell.org.
New
Life's Cradle
Please find here the 14 minute documentary "Life's cradle" on the destruction of Myanmar's marine ecosystems produced by DVB and funded by HBS!
Environmental Governance
Cancelling Myanmar’s new coal plants could save 7,100 lives a year
Approximately 7,100 lives could be saved every year if Myanmar cancels its massive plan to build coal-fired power plants, and instead invest on renewable energy to meet the country’s electricity demand.
Special Economic Zones and Human Rights Violations in Myanmar
With recent announcements about the extension of Thilawa to Zone B and the planned construction of a fourth Special Economic Zone in the Yangon Region, it is important for Myanmar to draw on lessons learned and avoid negative repercussions on local communities. A new report by HBS Myanmar assesses social impacts entailed by the initial construction stages in Thilawa and Dawei, where thousands of villagers lost their land and livelihood opportunities.
Myanmar’s Energy-Governance as a GMS-member
Myanmar, being a member of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), is a net exporter of energy to its neighbors like China who get the lion‘s share of the country’s generated power. Energy production has so far been more harmful than helpful especially to people who live close to the production-sites. Plans from 2011, making the Thanlwin River a source of hydropower, now offer a chance to the NLD-led government to perform good governance.
Vacancy Announcement Program Coordinator Resource Governance & Development
The Myanmar Office of Heinrich Böll Foundation is seeking to the next possible date a full-time Program Coordinator Resource Governance and Development (natural resource governance; environmental and social justice; impact of FDI and ODA in Myanmar’s development) to join our Yangon team.
Call for Application
More than 400 CSOs demand government to stop coal and large dam projects
There is no doubt: Myanmar’s economic development requires energy. Only one third of the country’s population has access clean and reliable energy sources today. Thus, energy policy plays a key role in achieving sustainable development in Myanmar. But the recent energy master plan adopted by the government focuses on big hydro and coal power projects, largely neglecting the potential of alternative renewable energy source available in the country.
Political Culture
Contract farming in Myanmar: From expectations to exploitation
With Myanmar’s new investment bill, foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector are booming and business conglomerates are interested in expanding their agricultural production through contract farming. Yet, in the absence of effective mechanisms for poverty reduction and adequate land tenure security, the fruits of contract farming have often been harvested solely by companies.With Myanmar’s new investment bill, foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector are booming and business conglomerates are interested in expanding their agricultural production through contract farming. Yet, in the absence of effective mechanisms for poverty reduction and adequate land tenure security, the fruits of contract farming have often been harvested solely by companies.
Perspectives Asia No. 5: Politics of Food
What we eat is determined by more than just our preferences. Food choices are shaped by availability, culture and global economic structures. Tradition and wealth can influence what we eat, just as trade and foreign investments can influence our access to food. Due to the high degree of economic interdependence, the purchase of a food product in one country can affect the price development in another, ultimately restricting food choices. In short: Food is a highly political issue. Nowhere is this more true than in Asia.
International Women Day 2017
In the presence of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi three video clips on violence against women, co-sponsored by HBS, were launched on 8 March 2017 in Naypyitaw at the International Women Day 2017 ceremony of the Department of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (DSW).
END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN!
Yangon Film School has created three powerful documentary animations based on testimonies from survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Myanmar. The docuanimations were created with the support from Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Gender Equality Network, and the Government of Sweden.
&PROUD Film Festival 2017 - with PROUD support of Heinrich Boell Myanmar Office
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) Myanmar Office has started to support the growing LGBTI* movement in Myanmar, working on advocacy, assisting local organizations, promoting dialogue and supporting awareness raising campaigns of our local partners. The hbs MM's goal is to advocate an open tolerant society, in which gender and LGBTI* rights are openly being discussed and respected.
Vacancy Announcement Program Coordinator Political Culture
Events
Seeking Health Across the Border
What we do
The Myanmar Program of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung seeks to contribute towards a democratic transition and an inclusive and sustainable development for the benefit of all people in Myanmar. The Myanmar program dates back to the early 2000s when the foundation decided to support civil society inside Myanmar by awarding scholarships to promising young students from all parts of Myanmar and advocating a pro-engagement approach. The office is currently working on two programs: Natural Resource Governance / Development and Political Culture. In the Natural Resource Governance Program HBS MM intends to improve the participation of local communities and civil society in decision-making processes around the exploitation of natural resources, large infrastructure projects and extractive industries. In particular Asian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is being scrutinized in this respect. In the Political Culture program HBS Myanmar promotes the development of a democratic Myanmar that respects fundamental human rights. In a media component the program promotes freedom of expression and freedom of press. In a gender component the program promotes gender and LGBTI* rights.
Contact Us
Heinrich Böll Stiftung Myanmar
No 45/A, Kan Lane 3
Kan Road, Kamayut Township
Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: (+95) 9 3168 5846
Email: info@mm.boell.org
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Internship Opportunities
The Myanmar Office of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung has limited possibilities to offer internships for national and international students and interested young people. As an internal rule, we only offer internships for three months and more. We can offer some internship possibilities in 2017. Applicants should send us the following documents:
hbs Myanmar wants all interns to follow a small research project related to our work in Myanmar. Therefore the research proposal is an important element in our decision, whom to offer an internship.
For any enquiries, please contact to info@mm.boell.org.