Organization Profile
The Karen Rivers Watch (KRW) is a coalition of six Karen social organizations and 25 individuals which are active in the issues of women, children, community development, health and youth.
The KRW is established with the anticipation that the Karen social organisations will engage in a collaborative forum to conduct awareness raising and advocacy tasks of the effects of development projects which take place in Karen State. KRW focuses on mega projects on rivers in social, political, economics, environmental and cultural aspects.
KRW believes that the current regime of Burma exploits the development issue for its iron rule on the country and is unwilling to resolve the country’s core problem: the ethnic issue. Instead it uses the development issue to retain its power and to control natural resources in the ethnic areas.
Aim
Karen people are well aware of any development project which will affect their lives and are determined to find ways to take part in any decision that will affect their way of life.
Objectives
- To safeguard and protect the environment of rivers;
- To highlight the advantages and disadvantages of any projects on the rivers in Karen area; and
- To actively involve in the protection and conservation of:
- The environment;
- Human rights and
- The right to self-determination.
Mission
KRW will operate as a coalition for Karen social organizations and individuals that are interested in, and actively protect the rivers by mobilizing and organizing the grassroots people in the aspects of social, economic, political and environment; to collaborate with local communities and Burma compatriots in the respected issues; and to advocate the international community of the issue.
