in 2009, dr. heyzer led an unprecedented dialogue with myanmar's leaders on development and poverty reduction, resulting in the government of myanmar requesting the formation of a development partnership that has allowed practitioners and eminent international scholars, such as the nobel prize economist professor joseph stiglitz, and local researchers to exchange experiences and ideas with government agencies and civil society. this has been regarded by many as helping to catalyze the opening-up of the country from its former isolation. in 2008, she also worked closely with asean, the government of myanmar, and the un in the recovery efforts assisting cyclone-affected people in the ayeyarwady delta.