The gas pipeline runs through southern Myanmar, a fairly isolated region whose inhabitants
until recently had had very little contact with outsiders, especially
foreigners. A major project such as the pipeline would be legitimate cause for
concern on the part of neighbors, which is why Village Communication
Committees were set up to ensure dialogue and why project employees who
could act as intermediaries (physicians, veterinarians, communication officers)
lived in the villages to:
 |
 |
 |
Explain the project. |
 |
 |
 |
Establish a meaningful dialogue with the local communities to identify
problems and expectations and help them find solutions. |
 |
 |
 |
Promote trust and mutual understanding. |

When villagers in the pipeline region saw that Total was
opposed to the government’s forced labor practices
and would try to protect them from the ill effects of such
practices, this helped create a trust-based, sustainable
relationship.