Policy and rural development plan

KESAN is working to advocate for environment policies and practices and development priorities that are environmentally friendly, culturally beneficial, economically viable and socially equitable for both men and women. KESAN is also part of a working group that is developing an environment policy that addresses the problems and needs of the Karen people. KESAN work with various KNU administration departments such as the Karen Forestry Department, the Karen Agriculture Department and the newly formed Kawthoolei Environment Committee on policy development and implementation as well as advocating for legal frameworks based on participatory processes and mechanisms.

Forest policy

One of our great approve is the forest policy was approved by KNU EC in 2009 after working together with Karen Environment Council (KEC), Karen Forestry Department, Karen District leader for many years and a lot of awareness and workshop related to policy were conducted, and the forest policy was approved by KNU EC in 2009. The forest policy book was printed and distributed to Community Project Partners and KNU Main leaders and district. (Click here to see the forest policy)

Land policy

KEASN also working and helping Karen Agriculture Department (KAD) to develop land policy which will secure land rights for farmers, establish procedures for involving communities in major development projects, ensure that those relocated receive appropriate compensation, and guarantee restitution or compensation for refugees and internally displaced person. KESAN also provide additional training for KAD to improve their capacity in conducting land surveys, documentation and issuance of land titles to communities to safeguard people’s rights to land ownership; and to influence their land policy review process to incorporate sustainable management practices.

Rural development plan

KESAN works with Community Based Organizations (CBOs), communities and leaders in formulating a Rural Development Plan (RDP) that gives local rural people an opportunity to present their own development priorities. Facilitating the process of RDP development aims to see that institutions, mechanisms and processes are set up which ensure that the current and future needs of local people are addressed. 

KESAN and many other Karen CBOs are deeply concerned about the potential post-transition period if and when regime change was to happen in Burma. In order to plan and prepare for the inevitable changes that will occur during this process, KESAN along with the KNU and 17 other Karen CBOs along the border are in the process of developing a RDP in three phases. Phase 1 is to conduct a consultation meeting/workshop with relevant KNU Departments and Karen CBOs, Phase 2 is to develop a research and survey framework and Phase 3 is the development of a draft RDP with policy recommendations for distribution to the public.