Commons Comment articles

5th WriteShop for Mekong Writers held 7-8 July 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand

The 5th Writeshop brought together ten writers and researchers to build capacity to think critically, and produce a written story on current environmental and development issues in the Mekong region. At least ten articles are expected from the writeshop and will be featured in this website in the coming months. The Writeshop was organized jointly

Will the Dawei Special Economic Zone benefit the people of Myanmar?

The Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Myanmar will establish large-scale industrial estates for export-led industrialization. Japan has recently expressed interest in investing in the Dawei SEZ. Japan’s economy has been built on this model of industrial development. This development model has caused enormous environmental and health impacts. Minari Tsuchikawa questions whether it is appropriate for Japan to impose this type of “development” model on Myanmar rather than allow the people of Myanmar to find their own path of sustainable development.

ASEAN: How about accountability beyond borders?

Economic growth in Southeast Asia has bought jobs and increased state revenues, but also wrought labour rights violations, community dispossession of land and natural resources, and environmental degradation. Carl Middleton argues that economic reform starts with greater Corporate Accountability, including across borders.

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