Given the level of corruption and human rights abuses taking place in Burma today, it is not surprising that there are concerns about the backfire of foreign direct investment. Lived experiences of the population: Recently In an article published on the relocation of people living in areas designated for new hydroelectric or agricultural projects, the authors highlight how the rights of local communities are neglected. Dialogue with local farmers revealed the hard truth about the displacement of villages from areas designated as special economic zones. “Land confiscation is a significant metaphor for the Myanmar government's development model” (Maria, Bloomer 2014). Indeed, in the name of development, entire villages are moved into one-room houses with little notice of eviction and without adequate compensation. Furthermore, the areas where villagers are relocated appear to lack usable land, jobs, access to clean water and schools within reach (Maria, Bloomer 2014). Many farmers are also at risk of land seizure because they do not have adequate proof of ownership and documents they could use to register their land. Activist U Win Myo Thu of the Burmese non-governmental organization EcoDev stated that "without considering the land security of these farmers, [Burma can] forget the people-centered development that the president continually emphasizes" (Kyaw 2012, p .2). Overlooking the fact that environmental issues in Burma are closely linked to human rights issues as the lives of many communities still depend on agriculture and fishing, the new laws are shifting the agricultural sector towards an export-driven, agro-industrial sector on a large scale where land use… half the paper… for social development is still poor. Burma must ensure transparency of energy export revenues and address military dominance in the economy (burmalibrary 2012, p.32). Civil society, activist groups and NGOs should share their information and continue to urge the government and investors to slow large-scale foreign investment until basic safeguards are in place and key issues are addressed , to ensure that “development” in Burma does not come at the expense of the poor, but benefits the entire population. Civil government provided an opportunity for the creation of trade unions, farmers' unions, women's organizations and a more explicit approach to political change in general. NGOs like MMN should continue to bring their expertise into debates with politicians and inform the wider population about the topic.