1 impacts on human rights supports more equitable growth and poverty reduction for the broader Myanmar population. • Support local communities and users to engage with companies and the Government and to enable them to call on international standards to support their engagement. • Support trade unions, workers, civil society organisations so that they can participate in policy development and project planning, leveraging international standards and approaches in their interventions. • Inform the media so that they can report effectively on policy and legislative developments and promote user understanding of ICT. • Enable development partners to align their support and policies to the sector such that human rights are better respected and protected. • Build the capacity of local researchers to better understand international standards relevant to operations of the sector in Myanmar and to be able to assess performance in light of those standards. See Annex A for a more detailed description of the SWIA methodology and scope and coverage of the field research carried out. The data from the field research is purposefully anonymised to focus attention on trends in the ICT sector as it continues to develop. The research findings should not be taken to apply to all situations, organisations, or companies interviewed. B. Expectations of Responsible Business Conduct in Myanmar This SWIA sets out some of the many challenges and opportunities of operating in Myanmar. It presents the context that companies must either change, where appropriate, or adapt to, in order to run operations in a responsible manner, rather than simply accepting the deficiencies as they are. Companies operating in a high-risk environment have a particular responsibility to influence that operating environment, within the bounds of their own impacts (which may be broader than just their own operations) by operating according to international standards. Where appropriate, this includes engaging with the Myanmar national and local governments, quietly, collectively or even publicly, to prompt them to take up those same standards. It also includes engaging on broader issues that can affect the business environment and society: peace, security, human rights, good governance. A transparent approach to applying international standards on responsible business conduct will help provide a common baseline for all. The choices companies make in responding to these conditions will play a major role in whether the ICT sector is seen as a positive contributor to national development in Myanmar. 44 PAGE CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION