News


From March 2020 – December 2021, Social Clarity’s Managing Director Charlotte Bisley will provide social safeguard advisory services to the 671 megawatt (MW) Shweli 3 Hydropower Plant Project in Myanmar. For further information about Shweli 3, see the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Myanmar’s hydropower sector here.

During January – February 2020, Social Clarity worked with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Department of Rural Development (DRD), Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Irrigation (MoALI) to develop a gender mainstreaming strategy for the Mini-Grid sub-component of the Myanmar National Electrification Project (NEP); a World Bank-supported Project. Social Clarity also provided training on gender integration/gender mainstreaming to NEP mini-grid developers. Further information about the NEP can be accessed here.

In November 2019, Social Clarity participated in the 13th Plenary Meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development. Key outcomes are available here. Further information about the Policy Dialogue can be accessed here.

In November 2019, Social Clarity also participated in the 2019 United Nations (UN) Forum on Business and Human Rights. The 2019 Forum Programme is available hereFurther information about the Forum can be found here.

In December 2018Social Clarity participated in the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development. Key outcomes and also a workshop to finalise the Guiding Principles for Durable Extractive Contracts of the 10th Plenary Meeting are available hereFurther information about the Policy Dialogue can be accessed here.

In November 2018, Social Clarity participated in the 2018 United Nations (UN) Forum on Business and Human Rights. The 2018 Forum Programme is available hereFurther information about the Forum can be found here.

From July 2018 – December 2019Social Clarity provided land acquisition coordination services to the East African Crude Oil Pipe Line (EACOP) Project, through TOTAL East Africa Midstream B.V. (TEAM B.V.). EACOP is a 1,443 kilometre crude oil export pipeline that will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale – Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga port in Tanzania. Project shareholders are intended to be the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and three oil companies: China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), TOTAL and TULLOW plc. Further information about EACOP is available here.

During March – September 2018with Sustainability East Asia LLC, Social Clarity contributed to preparation of a Market Study and Value Chain Analysis for Vegetable Farming in Mongolia for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI). This study contributed to Output 3 (Farmers’ access to markets improved) of the Mongolia: Community Vegetable Farming for Livelihood Improvement Project. Further information about this grant project is available here.

During September 2017 – March 2018Social Clarity’s Managing Director Charlotte Bisley worked with the World Bank’s Global Practice on Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience (GSURR), and particularly the Bank’s Myanmar Office, as an International Social Safeguards Consultant. Charlotte contributed analytical, editorial and operational support to the preparation of a report, Towards Improved Social Risk Management in Myanmar, and associated case studies. This was prepared to inform implementation of the World Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) in Myanmar, from October 2018. The ESF is available here.

In November 2017Social Clarity supported Myanmar’s Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to present the Thilawa Complaints Management Procedure (TCMP) at the 2017 United Nations (UN) Forum on Business and Human Rights. The 2017 Forum Programme is available hereThe Report of the 2017 Forum is available here.

In June 2017, Social Clarity participated in the Eighth Plenary Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development. Key outcomes of the meeting are available here.

In February 2017, Social Clarity participated in the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)’s Social Impact Forum on Myanmar. This discussed ideas and issues related to impact investment, philanthropy and social enterprises in Myanmar. The agenda for the event can be found here.
In February 2017, Social Clarity chaired a session on monitoring and evaluation of land acquisition and resettlement programs at the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)’s Special Symposium on Resettlement & Livelihoods held in Manila, the Philippines. The final program for the event can be downloaded here.

From September 2016, Social Clarity has been re-engaged with providing social performance advisory services to the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Yangon Region, Myanmar.
We have also been providing ongoing support to Grow Asia’s Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (CPSA). Grow Asia is a multi-stakeholder partnership platform that aims to reach 10 million smallholder farmers by 2020, helping them access knowledge, technology, finance, and markets to increase their productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability by 20 per cent.

Between April to August 2016, Social Clarity provided social investment advisory services to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) Project, across Albania, Greece and Italy.

During February – August 2016, Social Clarity participated in land acquisition and resettlement due diligence associated with large-scale infrastructure investments in Myanmar.

In June 2016, Social Clarity participated in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Sixth Plenary Meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-Based Development. The summary report and key outcomes of the meeting are published here.

During January 2016, Social Clarity participated in a social risks and opportunity assessment for an international extractives sector client in Myanmar.

In January 2016, Social Clarity presented on Planning and Managing Stakeholder Engagement at the Myanmar Mining Development Summit 2016. To view Social Clarity’s presentation, click here.

In December 2015, Social Clarity was a Discussant on Gender at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)’s Expert Group Meeting on Mainstreaming the Governance of the Extractive Sector in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Process held in Lagos, Nigeria. Further information about the Meeting can be found here and here.

In December 2015, Social Clarity was a Discussant on Monitoring and Evaluation at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Fifth Meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-Based Development. The summary report and key outcomes of the meeting are published here. The associated Framework on Public-Private Collaboration for In-Country Shared Value Creation from Extractive Projects can be accessed here.

During August – October 2015, Social Clarity undertook an agriculture sector stakeholder mapping exercise in Cambodia for a client, to support development of a multi-stakeholder forum focused on sustainable agriculture.

During August – September 2015, Social Clarity provided social due diligence and social investment advisory services in Myanmar for an extractives sector client, to support implementation of an effective social investment strategy.

On 11 September 2015, Social Clarity presented on The Realities of Social Risks for Offshore Developments in Myanmar at the 3rd Annual Southeast Asia Offshore Summit 2015. To view Social Clarity’s presentation, click here.

During September 2014 – August 2015, Social Clarity supported the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and UN Women with a Regional Review of Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) across Africa. The Review aims to support women’s economic empowerment through their involvement in ASM-linked activities. Field research was undertaken in DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This Review aligns with the strategic focus of the Africa Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) on ASM. The associated Reports will be published by UNECA. Further information about UNECA’s focus on African Women in ASM can be accessed here.

During January – June 2015, Social Clarity supported the Social Safeguards Assessment of the proposed World Bank Myanmar National Electrification Project (NEP). The Project was approved by the World Bank Board in September 2015. Further information can be accessed here.

On 29 June 2015 Social Clarity participated in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Fourth Meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development in Paris, France. The Meeting progressed two of the Policy Dialogue’s Work Streams: (i) Shared Value Creation and Local Development; and (iv) Detecting Corruption Risks in the Extractive Sector. Further information can be accessed here.

On 25-26 June 2015, Social Clarity Managing Director Charlotte Bisley, participated in the 2015 Natural Resource Governance Institute Conference on “Falling Prices, Risking Risks” at Oxford University, United Kingdom. The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and Oxford Centre for the Analysis of Resource Rich Economies (OxCarre) were conference hosts. Further information can be accessed here.

On 25-26 May 2015, Social Clarity participated in an International Finance Corporation (IFC) Community of Learning Workshop on the IFC Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards, held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The purpose of the workshop was to ensure common understanding and interpretation of the Sustainability Framework and the Performance Standards for consistent and uniform application in projects financed by the IFC – either directly or through financial intermediaries. More information about the IFC Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards can be accessed here.

On 19 May 2015, Social Clarity presented on Social Risks and Opportunities in Myanmar at the second Myanmar Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition. To view Social Clarity’s presentation, click here.

On 11 May 2015, Social Clarity Managing Director Charlotte Bisley, participated in an IFC Workshop on Land Issues held in Yangon, Myanmar. The workshop had particular focus on the application of IFC Performance Standard 1 (Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts) and Performance Standard 5 (Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement). The IFC Performance Standards can be accessed here.

In February 2015, Social Clarity participated in Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa. African Mining Indaba is the world’s largest mining investment conference, the world’s third largest mining conference, and Africa’s largest mining event.

In February 2015, Social Clarity Managing Director Charlotte Bisley, participated in an Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development Workshop. The aim of the workshop was to develop Guidance for Governments on Managing Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM). More information can be accessed here.

During 2014, Social Clarity co-authored a chapter on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Emerging Economies and Fragile States for inclusion in Greenleaf Publishing’s Book on Development-Oriented CSR Volume II. The chapter includes a ‘snapshot’ of Myanmar, an emerging economy and fragile and conflict-affected state, which is currently undergoing a period of significant political, economic and social transformation. It outlines how CSR is an “emerging story” there, in terms of government requirements, company activity and community expectations. The book was published in July 2015. Further information is available here.

In November 2014, Social Clarity participated in the OECD Multi-Stakeholder Consultation of the Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development. Twenty-three multinational mining, oil & gas companies, industry associations and civil society organisations participated in the multi-stakeholder consultation. More information is available here.

In November 2014, Social Clarity Managing Director Charlotte Bisley, participated as a Discussant in a Peer Review Workshop on the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s flagship report on natural resources and human development in Africa titled Linking Natural Resources to Human Development Outcomes. She commented on the chapter focused on natural resources, skills and regional development. Early results of the flagship report were announced at Mining Indaba, as referenced here.

In October 2014, Social Clarity Managing Director Charlotte Bisley participated in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)’s Natural Resource Governance in Myanmar Conference held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Further information about EITI Myanmar Week is available here.

On 31 October 2014, Social Clarity presented at the International Mining Myanmar Conference on The Art and Science of Social Impact Assessment – Building Positive Outcomes for All. Social Clarity’s presentation can be accessed here.

On 29 October 2014, Social Clarity moderated a session at the 2nd Annual Myanmar Upstream Summit on Environmental and Social Impact Assessments: Holistic Considerations of Requirements for Operations in Myanmar. Session speakers included U Than Aye, Director, Environmental Conservation Department, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF), whose presentation is available here. The Ministry of Energy (MOE) officially supported the Summit.

On 25 September 2014, Social Clarity presented at the Myanmar Offshore Congress 2014 on Managing the Social Dimensions of Offshore Blocks – Mitigating Non Technical Risk. Social Clarity’s presentation can be accessed here.

On 30 June 2014, Social Clarity participated in the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF)/OECD Development Centre High-Level Panel on Gender equality in the post-2015 agenda: the importance of social norms for inclusive development, which was held as part of OECD Development Week 2014. The associated report is available here.

On 26-27 June 2014, Social Clarity participated in the 2nd OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct, which brought together over 560 attendees representing governments, businesses, trade unions, and civil society to provide insights and exchange views about core challenges and opportunities in advancing responsible business practices. Further information is available here.

On 12-13 June 2014, Social Clarity participated in the 2014 Natural Resource Charter Conference, held at Oxford University, United Kingdom. The conference’s theme was Strengthening Resource Governance: Policy and the Application of Measurement. Further information is available here.

In May 2014, Social Clarity provided informal introductory training on social impact assessments (SIAs) for the 2014 graduate intake of the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF).