Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Yangon Office

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

Plastic Atlas Demonstrates Scale of Plastic Pollution Crisis and Solutions for a Zero Waste Future

Press Release Today, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Break Free From Plastic movement have published the international English edition of the Plastic Atlas, holding launch events in the European Parliament in Brussels (quotes EC-FVP Frans Timmermans, MEP Bas Eickhout further down), and in Washington D.C. and Manila.

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.

The Dark Side of Coal in Myanmar : Investigative Documentary

In “The Dark Side of Coal”, director Nyan Gyi investigates the use of coal in Myanmar, for power and industrial production. Due to weak regulation and monitoring, coal already has serious impacts on Myanmar’s public health and environment – and according to the national energy policy, even more coal power plants are going to be built.

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

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.

China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: Challenges and Opportunities

The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) constitutes the largest group of infrastructure project investment plans in Myanmar today. A series of workshops for regional parliaments and civil society looked at challenges and opportunities arising from the CMEC and brought in the experiences of neighbouring countries.

The Story of Coal Power in Thailand

Despite risks to environment, people and the planet as a whole, policymakers in ASEAN – Myanmar included – still pursue the development of coal power plants. This video shows what Myanmar can learn from Thailand’s experience with coal power.

Coal Power Plants in Myanmar: Recurring Plans, Recurring Protests

Whenever a plan to build a large coal power plant is announced in Myanmar, people take to the streets. While these protests have been rather successful on a local level, this has not discouraged investors from simply announcing a similar plant in another location.

By Felix Sternagel

More articles on Environmental Governance

Political Culture

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)

Picture from "Support Panzagar: End Hate Speech with Flower Speech"

Halfway there: Myanmar’s difficult transition toward freedom of expression

For decades, Myanmar was among the most isolated countries in the world. Although the process of democratization and the internet have changed things, people still cannot express themselves freely.

By Nay Phone Latt

The development of ASEAN - an introduction

In 1967 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded. This dossier sheds light on the institutional framework of ASEAN and analyses with contributions by civil society and academia, where social and ecological justice has, or should have, its place in Southeast Asia.

Protest against building a dam at the river Thanlwin

An eclipse of Myanmar’s civil society?

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.

Publications

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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The Contribution of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Advancing Women’s Political Participation and Effectiveness: A Case of the Mon Women Movement in Myanmar

Following decades of military dictatorship which denied Myanmar the benefits of an inclusive democracy, the new government continues to fall short: Women remain underrepresented. This paper focusses on the contribution of a growing CSO-led women’s movement to political participation and effectiveness, and highlights opportunities to maximize such efforts.

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