In the past two centuries traditional Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have played an important role in the shaping of social movements and promoting welfare and charity undertakings for poor in Myanmar. In addition to social and political organisations including student movements, there is also a tradition of faith based activism, mostly through Buddhist or Christian organisations.

As the economy transformed itself over the last fifty years, the potential of civil society to organize and contribute to regional development has been inhibited by command driven decision making, restrictive laws, conflict and migration.