Throughout
the project, Total made an ever-increasing number of contacts
in the villages, to encourage ongoing dialogue and overcome
the mistrust that could have been caused by the project
and the influx of foreigners. Every opportunity was taken
to meet with villagers, as the Group carefully forged a
network of relationships and built a reservoir of trust.
This
commitment to dialogue was demonstrated from the beginning
of the project, when villagers were asked to create Communication
Committees to express their needs and to help define a socio-economic
program.
Many
events were organized to bring together all the villagers
and to introduce Total to them. The first
were held to present the Yadana project. Villagers were
shown a video describing the main outlines of the project
and asserting Total’s commitment to ensuring that
it would have a positive local impact. A notice board was
installed in each village to keep residents informed about
the project.
Implementation of the project provided many
opportunities for general meetings, both to supply information
and provide an opportunity for celebration, including presentation
of the main aspects of the Socio-Economic Program for the
village and ceremonies at which villagers received compensation
for the use of their land. Subsequent events included the
inauguration of health centers, schools and farm projects,
the arrival of new physician, sports events and school fairs.
To
allow those who wanted to express themselves without fear
of their neighbors’ opinions, suggestion boxes were
installed in each village when the Socio-Economic Program
was launched. At that time, they provided a source of useful
comments and suggestions.
These measures, supported by daily
contacts between the socio-economic teams and the local
population, promptly established a friendly and trust-based
relationship, especially since the villagers quickly realized
that Total wanted — and was able — to protect them
and that, in cooperation with the other MGTC investors,
the Group was genuinely committed to improving their lives.
The commitment
to maintaining frequent, friendly relations with the villagers,
respectful of their culture, is still valid. Many opportunities
are available for contact, including the local presence
of physicians and communication
officers, events that have
become routine such as school fairs and sports meetings,
and joint collaboration on various projects. Total has also
opened the doors of its facilities so that members of the
Village Committees could discover the Yadana project for
themselves.
