Spectrum - Sustainable Development Knowledge Network - was founded in 2007 during the early phases of Myanmar's democratic transition.
As Myanmar embarks on a new phase of national development, Spectrum's mission is to facilitate constructive multi-stakeholder engagement on environment, sustainable development and natural resource management issues.
They connect with government, business and local communities to inform, empower and educate in their role as an information-sharing network.
At the core of their work is a focus on access to information and to support accountability and transparency. Their aim is to empower citizens to make informed decisions about the future direction of their country.
They do this by providing resource materials, training, sharing relevant research and case studies while promoting positive engagement between the Myanmar government, private sector and society.
Vision:
To see change so that Myanmar is considered a country where people live with peace, dignity, justice, equity, fullness and quality of life.
Mission:
Establish mechanisms to enhance the framework for "National Development" in Myanmar, via constructive engagement on natural resource management, sustainable development and environment matters.
While "Resources – Rights – Justice" describes their programme areas well, their focus is on inclusion, involvement and empowerment of people. Various project activities integrate well into the overall model, however they find that it is people who make the difference and the overall combination of activities that is leading to sustainable outcomes. In the context, their experience is that work in one field frequently leads to the space or opportunity for an outcome in another.
In reality this is the benefit of a people-centred, holistic and integrated sustainable development model. Emphasis on projects alone detracts greatly from the model and leaves gaps. For very simple projects detailed steps are planned. For more complex projects an outcome mapping approach is used that allows multiple parallel path towards objectives to be pursued. This provides better flexibility as needed in complex and rapidly clanging operating environments. But these are just the plans... it's the people who make the difference.
They work to achieve their mission and objectives through a learning, communication and innovation approach, which responds to opportunities that arise through access to new networks and key stakeholders.
Change is a constant – as programme areas expand, so does their team and diversity of their skills. They aim to service specific areas of work with focal area leaders and then use a matrix structure to bring in and involve other team members for whenever events, trainings, consultations and activities are run. This keeps their work focused, and the whole team engaged in the holistic approach they are pursuing.
Spectrum’s core activities include:
