Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Myanmar’s transition to democracy has earned the country a lot of appraisal on the international stage. But over the last year, the boundaries between what is permitted and what will get people in trouble slid back and blurred again.

Political transition in Myanmar from a military to a civilian government holds the promise of opening up political spaces to previously marginalized groups. However, the dividend of the country’s democratization process seems to be still far off for the LGBTI community.

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.