Forestry management and peacebuilding in Karen areas of Myanmar
The purpose of this report is to provide international donors, implementing organisations and Myanmar partners with principles and practical strategies to support peacebuilding via forestry management in Karen-inhabited areas in the southeast of Myanmar.
Improved governance of natural resources should be a focus of peacebuilding efforts, as it offers means to:
- mitigate conflict risks that have undermined Myanmar’s previous peace processes;
- promote respect for pluralism through the recognition of the identities, rights and practices of ethnic minorities;
- support the devolution of governance (in this case forestry management), consistent with the goals of creating a democratic federal union.
The report builds on examples of initiatives that are already working well, and recommends principles and practical strategies that are sensitive to the current context.
Peace Research Partnership
This report was produced as part of the Peace Research Partnership (PRP), a process of participatory research with partners and communities in conflict-affected areas around the world. The aim of PRP was to generate and share knowledge about how international actors, like INGOs and donors, can best support peaceful and inclusive change in conflict contexts. The research partnership was funded by the UK government. However, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
