Background
Because Total is open to all discussion based on an objective assessment
of its actions, it regularly invites outside observers, journalists
and representatives of NGOs to visit the pipeline region and listens
closely to comments made by independent experts about its program.
It should be emphasised that Total believes it essential to expose its approach to comparison with that of qualified independent experts, on a regular basis, encouraging them to submit to us their suggestions for improvement in our practices. Guided by this principle, the Group invited a team from The Collaborative
for Collaborative Learning Projects (CDA) to visit the pipeline region in October
2002, April 2003, December 2003, April 2005 and February 2008. The reports are available
on the CDA website.
About The Collaborative Learning Projects
Created in 1985, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects
(CDA) is an independent economic and social consulting
agency chaired by Mary B. Anderson and based in
Cambridge, Massachusetts. It works with governments, international
organizations, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and
universities, and is primarily funded by governments and international financial
institutions.
The CDA focuses on the role of international organizations, public
aid organizations, non-governmental organizations and multinational
corporations in
countries in situations of conflict. Its president, Mary Anderson, is
the author of the recent book Do No Harm: How Aid Can Support Peace
- Or War. The CDA
initiated the Corporate Engagement Project (CEP), which is supported
by the governments of several countries and by companies, to help multinational
corporations better understand the impact of their
activities
in areas
of socio-political tensions or conflicts.
Along with its Myanmar co-venturers, Total supports this project, which
can clarify and influence its internal
discussions.
The CDA's mission
Three CDA members - Mary Anderson, Luc Zandvliet and Doug Fraser - visited Myanmar from October 18 to 30, 2002 to examine the impact of the Yadana consortium's operations on surrounding communities and, more generally, the impact of corporate operations on the situation in Myanmar. Mr. Zandvliet and Mr. Fraser returned to Myanmar from April 22 to May 3, 2003 and they made a new mission in December 2003. Luc Zandvliet and Ana Paulo de Nascimiento made a fourth mission from April 17 to May 6, 2005. Lastly, Mary Anderson and Brian Ganson returned in Myanmar from February 9 to 18, 2008. In 2005, CDA spent 6 days in Yangon, 5 in the pipeline region, 1 in Mandalay and 10 days in Thailand (Bangkok and Chang Mai). On its first trip to Myanmar, the team visited ten of the 25 villages in the pipeline region, as well as one on the outside; it visited 16 during the second field visit and 11 during the last visit. It also had a large number of contacts with national and local government representatives, diplomatic missions, international organizations, multinational corporations working in the country, and civil society organizations, including NGOs and humanitarian and human rights organizations.
Total's comments
The CDA reports offer constructive criticism of Total's actions in Myanmar.
Their observations, some of which concerned areas that were already in the
process of being improved, will be taken into account. The CDA usefully
encourages the Group to both continue and broaden its dialogue with civil
society on its rules of conduct and its methods of operation in countries in
crisis.
