Promoting Youth Leadership in Cambodia

Robin McDonough

August 2, 2024

Two girls promoting youth leadership by decorating donuts with colorful icing and sprinkles at a table, both smiling and enjoying their time. Other people and greenery visible in the background.

GPF projects help students in Cambodia.

Investing in today’s youth will yield tomorrow’s moral and innovative leaders. The recognition of the inherent desire and ability of youth to become change agents in their communities and build peace and social equity is profound in the partnership between the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Cambodia and the Global Peace Alliance (GPA) Cambodia in their continuing sponsorship of the Cambodia Youth Program. The program provides Cambodian youth with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to become resilient leaders in their communities while embracing our shared humanity under GPF’s vision of One Family Under God.

In May 2024, Cambodian youth and GPF staff conducted environmental sustainability activities, One Book One Love Campaign events, marketing strategy capacity building, and preparations for the Socio-Debate Open 2024 to be held in July. Each event provided enriching opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to gain essential leadership skills and become knowledgeable about conservation efforts, marketing strategies, responsible use of social platforms and content, and tools to engage in social and development opportunities successfully.

Environmental-related activities include attendance at a U.S. Agency for International Development workshop at the Cambodiana Hotel on May 3. During this event, participants joined in disseminating Social Behavior Change Communication Tool Kits with a focus on luxury wood, bushmeat, and litter. Events like this create stakeholder support and connections between environmental-related organizations and young leaders.

A group of students and teachers in a decorated classroom pose for a photo while holding up drawings, smiling, and spreading their arms wide, embodying the spirit of Youth Leadership in Cambodia.

GPF projects help students in Cambodia.

On May 10, GPF Cambodia staff consulted with GPF Malaysia on fundraising and marketing strategies. Strategies discussed include using compelling photos and stories, displaying track records, effectively engaging corporations, and accurately monitoring and tracking daily engagements.

During One Book One Love Campaign events, participants engaged in an organizer’s meeting for Youth Star Cambodia’s Tree Planting and Resource Mobilization event. Recognizing the power of collaboration, Youth Star Cambodia and GPA Cambodia made plans to join forces to provide educational materials and other resources to 3,500 out-of-school children in 50 communities across four provinces.

GPA Cambodia also co-facilitated the Western International School’s Outreach Program to New Hope for Cambodian Children in Kampong Speu Province. Through educational resources and engagement, the program provides HIV students and orphans with hope for their future development. Expanding on environmental education, GPA Cambodia additionally co-facilitated the Impact Day event in Prey Veng Province to support AIESEC LUCT by providing 150 reusable water bottles from the Safe Water Safe Bottle project. The youth program delegates engaged the students at Hun Sen Ambaeng Ches Primary School with various environment-related sessions and teambuilding activities at nearby temples.

A group of students and teachers stand in front of a school building with blue roofing in Cambodia, holding gifts and supplies. Demonstrating youth leadership, they gather under the text written in the local language above the entrance.

GPF projects help students in Cambodia.

Responsible use of social media is a critical skill for youth in today’s rapidly changing digital world. To this end, GPA Cambodia staff and interns attended a Content Creator Insight workshop at the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) later in May. Content Creator Yim Salinda provided insight into engagement techniques and trends consistent with media practices.

To become moral and innovative leaders, we must provide students with the awareness, tools, and opportunities to engage in society and development opportunities. This collective effort involves many diverse individuals, communities, and organizations. On May 25, GPA Cambodia General Manager Pach Pagnavorn reiterated his support of ongoing efforts to empower youth for the greater good in his commitment to the upcoming AUPP Socio-Debate Open 2024.

The Cambodia Youth Program participants provide evidence of the program’s success in their testimonials. Yin Ramsey, a program intern coordinator, commented, “As an outcome of my internship at GPA-C, I have discovered a better version of myself. My leadership skills and knowledge have developed as a result of the position I held.” According to Seng Mey Mey, a program coordinator, “Being a member of the GPAC gives me a great chance to improve myself for the future.”

These and other testimonies support the value of collective investment in our youth. As our future moral and innovative leaders, they are gaining the knowledge and skills to become peacebuilders in their communities and beyond. We owe them nothing less than our full support and encouragement as they begin a lifelong journey of collaboration, service, and respect for the value and dignity of all human beings, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.