Community-based and civil society organizations in Burma have an important role to play in the country’s ongoing peace process, which, at the moment, is only at the ceasefire stage.  In order to have a broader national impact, however, these organizations and other stakeholders need to forge strong networks and solid partnerships among themselves.     
These networks should get involved in a wide range of activities, including but not limited to, the following: 1) raise awareness among the ordinary public about what actually happens on the ground with peace process; 2) support peace building activities that directly benefit the local population; and, 3) conduct research on issues related to the peace process and disseminate results/reports to relevant parties for appropriate action. 

Once strong partnerships are established, the civil society organizations can collectively direct much of their advocacy efforts on particular government policies or actions, international participation –directly and indirectly – in the process and, in some cases, the private sector as well.  Advocating for certain policy options and pushing for particular action must go hand in hand continuously as well as consistently, because the process towards achieving peace in Burma will be long and at times difficult. 

Posted by Saw Kapi

The idea that business and development projects can be part of the resolution (or a good confidence building measure) to Burma's ethnic conflict is quite problematic to the extent that it has become a divisive, elite-driven initiative that often favors the government’s efforts to expand its administration (and thereby political influence) over ethnic nationalities while undermining the latter’s political aspiration.   

For the international community – governments and non-governmental organizations alike – to channel their resources exclusively through the government of Burma/Myanmar (or its secretariat outfit, the Myanmar Peace Center), in the current political context where ethnic nationalities are fighting for their right to self-determination, is grossly conflict-insensitive and short-sighted as far as long-term peace is concerned.

Posted by SI

The strategy of Burma’s government is that they start working on economic development while in ceasefire negotiation process.  The argument on the part of the government is that development projects should not wait for the nationwide peace process to complete, but the two processes should reinforce or complement each other towards the goals of peace and prosperity for the country.  However, there are both philosophical and procedural flaws in this strategy.

First, the idea that simultaneously seeking economic development in conflict area while in ceasefire stage could positively help resolve ethnic conflict assumes that Burma’s ethnic nationalities’ struggles are about material gains and, once they have enough to eat and get to live a comfortable life they would stop fighting.