Introduction

Although the National League for Democracy (NLD) and allied ethnic political parties won a clear majority of seats in the 1990 general election, they have never been allowed to assume power or national responsibilities by the military government, the State Peace and Development Council (the SPDC) which remains in control of the country. The HD Centre's Myanmar project started in August 2000 when Mr. Léon de Riedmatten joined as the HD Centre's Representative in Yangon. His good standing with the different sides, dating from his time as the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Myanmar, enabled the HD Centre to play "a good offices" role to help remove impediments to progress in achieving reconciliation leading to increased humanitarian assistance to the country.

With its breadth of perspective, contacts and engagement, the HD Centre has been in the front-line of conflict resolution initiatives in Myanmar from August 2000, until May 2009 when the project ended.

The HD Centre aimed to contribute to efforts to create an environment conducive to inclusive dialogue and reform in order to address the problems of isolation and the consequent increase of humanitarian needs.