The EarthRights School- Burma contributes to the development of a vibrant and well-informed civil society in Burma, and communities along the Thai-Burma border through the intensive training of young environmental activists from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The School program provides opportunities for alumni to protect earthrights and influence development in their communities. The training program is designed to create young leaders with skills and knowledge to work on earth rights issues in their communities, while also providing a model that combines a balance of theoretical and experiential learning for activists and community leaders.

Since the EarthRights School’s establishment in 1999, it has gained a reputation for graduating highly effective peace and environmental advocates for Burma. Whether the issue is degradation associated with mining or logging, struggles against proposed dams on the Salween River, the development of the India-Burma pipeline or the relationship between forced labor and development, the School’s alumni can be found playing important roles.

Since 1999, 65 students have graduated from the program and are actively working for social change and environmental protection in grassroots organizations both inside Burma and along the border areas. Alumni are supported in undertaking their grassroots work through the activities of the Alumni Program. The alumni program seeks to maximize the impact of their work by providing ongoing structured opportunities for graduates to network, collaborate, exchange information and resources, and receive training and technical assistance.