The Burma Environmental Working Group (BEWG) brings together Burma focused ethnic environmental and social organizations.Member organizations monitor Burma development policy and advocates for alternative development policies meeting their specific traditional and comprehensive understanding of local sustainability. BEWG provides a forum for member organizations to combine the successes, knowledge, expertise and voices of ethnic peoples in pursuit of not just local livelihoods, but sustainable and peaceful national, regional and international development policy. Members collaborate on research, reporting, advocacy campaigns, capacity-building initiatives and policy formulation. BEWG also networks with non-member organizations to encourage harmony and diversity in its own activities as well as strengthen democracy and civil society in Burma.

Members of the BEWG first came together in 2005 through a seminar organized by the Another Development for Burma initiative (ADfB). The ADfB project provides a platform for political, community and issue based groups within the Burma democracy movement to consider long-term challenges and development alternatives for the future of Burma. Until now, most BEWG activities have been organized with support from the ADfB platform.

The Burma Environmental Working Group envisions a Burma in which a democratic government and a strong civil society work together effectively to safeguard ecological and cultural diversity and ensure that the country’s development policies provide equitable benefits to all.

The Burma Environmental Working Group (BEWG) brings together Burma focused ethnic environmental and social organizations. Each member organization monitors Burma development policy and advocates for alternative development policies meeting their specific traditional and comprehensive understanding of local sustainability. BEWG provides a forum for member organizations to combine the successes, knowledge, expertise and voices of ethnic peoples in pursuit of not just local livelihoods, but sustainable and peaceful national, regional and international development policy. Members collaborate on research, reporting, advocacy campaigns, capacity-building initiatives and policy formulation. BEWG also networks with non-member organizations to encourage harmony and diversity in its own activities as well as strengthen democracy and civil society in Burma.