After decades of domination by colonial powers and military regimes, Burma now has an opportunity to create a nation that capitalizes on the talent, diligence and dedication of its diverse population. To do so, the country needs to develop a shared vision of the nature of governance, stable institutions that foster competent management and fair distribution of resources, and skills and exposure to negotiate effectively with external partners, whether from the business, political, social or development sectors.

While Burma has spent more than 60 years in relative isolation, much of the world has amassed significant experience in post-war reconstruction and development, both as agents and recipients of assistance. There is a great opportunity to apply lessons from the successes and failures of those approaches to propel Burma on a trajectory of self-determination, prosperity and successful engagement with the global community.

I had a chance to visit Burma in December 2011. It was an indescribably moving experience. Even as I recalled the cries for democracy that I heard in 1988, and the sound of gunshots fired at peaceful protesters, and long days and nights spent providing surgical and medical services to the victims of the military's brutal crackdown, I couldn’t help but feel a palpable excitement in the streets for the country's future.

However, the current atmosphere of excitement and change is not without uncertainty and concern for how far this current progress can go under the watchful eyes of military hardliners and their powerful supporters such as China and Russia. Many in Burma expressed their concerns openly but also emphasized that they would need to move forward under any circumstances or challenges.

I had the privilege of meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (Daw Suu) during my visit. She is as determined and inspiring as ever, if not more so. She has been working tirelessly to move Burma forward effectively as a democratic, peaceful and prosperous country. She welcomes support that will help Burma help itself to become a contributing member of the global community.

How do we, as members of the global community, support Daw Suu and the people of Burma in their efforts to move Burma forward under such exciting and challenging circumstances? The support should lead to an inclusive and effective nation-building process in Burma led by Daw Suu, leaders of ethnic groups, reform-minded military leaders, and others such as business and civil society leaders.

As a global citizen who has worked in the health and development sector in a good number of countries and organizations, I would like to suggest that the global community prioritize the following three areas of support in the nation-building process of Burma.

First, foster the development of a shared vision for the direction of the country among different ethnic, religious and political groups. Establish information-gathering and confidence-building programs across Burma with participation from diverse groups, including community leaders from ethnic, religious and youth groups; teachers, business people and civil servants; the National League for Democracy and other political parties; and the military. Encourage and support experience-sharing and facilitation from emerging countries that have gone through transitions from dictatorship to more democratic governments (e.g., South Africa, Chile and Indonesia) in the above-mentioned programs. Development of a shared vision for the direction of the country will be a long and hard process, but it needs to happen with good and steady facilitation and support.

Second, invest in community and institution building in Burma. Focus on capacity-building in different areas such as small business, trade, finance and banking, the legal system, news and communications media, transportation, energy, environmental protection, civilian-military relations, international relations and social and health services. Provide capacity building directly to people at different skill and performance levels, based on needs and gaps. Embrace and promote leadership of women in capacity building and employment opportunities. Incorporate the knowledge, experience and goals of workers in Burma, together with community inputs and participation, as an integral part of any nation-building plan. Provide training and employment opportunities for local/national workers to allow them to assume major responsibilities and leadership. International experts with skills and experience in implementing development, health and social programs successfully in developing countries would be helpful in that process. 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.