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CONTRIBUTOR
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However, all capacity-building and implementation programs should include plans to transfer leadership from international staff to diverse local and national experts within three years, to encourage local leadership for sustainability and country ownership.
Third, help the emerging leadership of Burma to effectively navigate their relationship with the current government as well as international partners to create the best possible foundation for the nation-building process. Continue engagement by sending confidence-building teams led by senior lawmakers and government officials to Burma. Daw Suu and President U Thein Sein need to keep working together effectively to avoid giving hardliners in the military leadership an excuse to stage a coup or slow the progress. Engagement of senior US officials and the international community should aim to bring much-needed jobs and social and health services for people in different regions and states and along the borders. International donors should develop a strategic action plan to assist Burma in her nation-building process, in collaboration with other international and Asian regional partners, to reduce overlaps and increase complementary impacts. The US government should take a comprehensive approach to improve collaboration and consultation with business, development and social organizations to encourage ethical and human rights principles (e.g., the need for responsible operation of gas pipeline projects in ethnic and environmentally sensitive areas). The people of Burma are hardworking, smart, proud and freedom-loving. Despite the atrocities committed on them by successive military regimes, they have maintained their dignity, sense of humor and love for their country. They have expressed that they need jobs, education, health, protection from abuse and exploitation (domestic or foreign) and opportunities to actively participate in guiding the country’s future. Having served on the staff of national and international health organizations, I have witnessed in numerous settings that national leaders and experts rightly feel that they should be in a position to make major decisions on donor-funded programs. International agencies require that their plans be implemented with transparency and accountability. Although all parties want to help the country effectively, tensions often exist, especially when programs are high profile and/or large amounts of money are involved. The international community can bring good will and a wealth of expertise. Many international agencies and organizations are trying to go in and help Burma with funds from Western governments and foundations in anticipation of the lifting of sanctions. For Burma to fully own its development process and avoid future generations dependent on foreign aid, its leaders and citizens will need to strike a delicate balance with international partners and those offering assistance. Decision-makers will need to listen to the people of Burma, with the active involvement of a diverse civil society, in planning and implementing business, social and development programs. Burma is one of the few counties that have bipartisan support from the executive and legislative branches of the US government, starting with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton and including Senators McConnell, Kerry and McCain. Burma will also need support and collaboration from business, technical and social leaders in the United States as crucial partners in its outreach to the global community. For international support to continue, in return the government in Naypyidaw must demonstrate commitment to the current positive progress. Daw Suu has mentioned that Burma needs help from everyone in the nation-building process for it to be successful. Burma is more likely to succeed if the global community, including the United States, provides much-needed support through a strategic and collaborative approach. Otherwise, the people of Burma and the global community will likely see future decades similar to those of the past, with the hopes and dreams of the people continuing to be crushed by the dictatorship. Let’s do everything we can to assist the people of Burma as they strive to create a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country ready to make its own contributions to the global community. Dr Myat Htoo Razak is a Burmese physician who has worked with international health organizations on HIV/AIDS research, intervention and capacity building of health workers in Asia and Africa. He now lives in the United States and works on strengthening global health and health systems. 1 | 2 |
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