With the future of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal limited to a small number of high profile leaders, and a modern Cambodian population of which some 70% of the population was born after the worst of the Khmer Rouge genocide, Cambodia is facing a turning point. On the one hand, Cambodians run a real risk of losing a firm grip on understanding, memorializing and ultimately accepting a difficult past. On the other hand, a rapidly globalizing Cambodia must take on new challenges of sustainable growth, democratic integrity and human rights.
Building on pre-existing Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge) education programs that were established using the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam)’s curriculum, the classroom forums entitled ‘The Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea’, are an engaging two-hour-long session that is intended primarily for grade 12 students. Working closely with school administrations, the sessions provide students with a forum that cultivates an atmosphere of reflection, critical thinking and constructive dialogue. The classroom forum project has conducted a total of 32 sessions since 2016 and has now reached more than 10,000 students. The purpose of these forums is primarily to educate students on the history of Democratic Kampuchea (DK) as well as providing lessons that highlight the importance of learning this history. Students actively participate in an informative discussion that also involves narrative history,
human rights issues, the legacies of the DK regime, the process of reconciliation as well as genocide awareness and prevention. The distribution of A History of Democratic Kampuchea, 1975-1979 a textbook published by DC-Cam, is a key component of the Genocide Prevention Education Program and routinely elicits a positive response from participating students. The forums also provide an opportunity for trained DC-Cam/MoEYS officials to facilitate mentoring opportunities with local staff and teachers.
One (1) day per forum with students encompasses presentation, group activities and discussion. The forum will be attended by the respective school headmaster or representative and students who do not have class at the time of the forum.
The headmaster or representative will open the forum and DC-Cam Democratic Kampuchea (DK) history coordinator will provide a short introduction about the project and the purpose of the forum. Students will be encouraged to answer several general questions on DK history or their parents’ experience by working in groups and present their findings to entire forum. Students will also be encouraged to ask questions and share their knowledge gained from this forum with their classmates. Each student receives a copy of a History of DK textbook at the end of the forum and is advised to use it for their history class.
Classroom Forum on “The Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979)” — 2020
Program: Khmer | English
Prey Pnoeu, Prey Veng Province, November 5,2019: Photo/Report
Ba Phnom, Prey Veng Province, December 5,2019: Photo/Report
Chea Sim Reak Chey, Prey Veng Province, January 30,2020: Photo/Report
Chann Krissna, Prey Veng Province, February 27,2020: Photo/Report
Angkor Sor, Prey Veng Province, March 11,2020: Photo/Report
Kamchay Mear, Prey Veng province, March 31,2020: Photo/Report
Cheach, Prey Veng Province, May 5,2020: Photo/Report
Hun Sen Svay Antor, Prey Veng Province, May 27,2020: Photo/Report
Hun Sen Pean Rong, Prey Veng Province, June 23,2020: Photo/Report
Hun Sen Peam Ro, Prey Veng Province, July 9,2020: Photo/Report
Classroom Forum on “The Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979)” – 2019
Hun Sen Kampong Porpil, Prey Veng province, June 26, 2019: Photos|Report
Kampong Leav, Prey Veng province, June 5, 2019: Photos|Report
Chamroeun Vichea, Prey Veng province, May 29. 2019: Photos|Report
Preah Ang Dong High School, Prey Veng province, May 16, 2019: Photos|Report
Prek Sandek High School, Prey Veng province, Apr 24, 2019: Photos|Report
Pea Reang High School, Prey Veng province, Mar 22, 2019: Photos|Report
Svay Rormeat High School, Prey Veng province, Mar 18. 2019: Photos|Report
Kampong Tralach High School, Kampong Chhnang, Feb 22, 2019: Photos|Report
Mesang High School, Prey Veng province, Feb 7, 2019: Photos|Report
Classroom Forum on “The Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979)” – 2018
Hun Sen Samrong High School, July 11, 2018: Photos|Report
Hun Sen Phnom Penh Thmey High School, June 5, 2018: Photos|Report
Borey 100 Khnang High School, May 8, 2018: Photos|Report
Tuol Prasat Sen Sokh High School, March 7, 2018: Photos|Report
Chea Sim Samaki High School, February 20, 2018: Photos|Report
Indratevy High School, February 6, 2018: Photos|Report
Chea Sim Santhor Mok High School, January 30, 2018: Photos|Report
Koh Dach Hight School, January 23, 2018: Photos|Report
Classroom Forum on “The Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979)” – 2017
Chea Sim Chamroeunrath Eng High School, December 13, 2017: Photos|Report
Sa-Ang High School, November 20, 2017: Photos|Report
Chhroy Changva High School, June 26, 2017: Photos|Report
Prek Leap High School, June 8, 2017: Photos|Report
Prek Thmey High School, May 31, 2017: Photos|Report
Anuvoat High School, May 8, 2017: Photos|Report
Wat Koh High School, March 17, 2017: Photos|Report
Hun Sen Prek Kampeus High School, March 10, 2017: Photos|Report
Boeng Prei Hun Sen High School, February 24, 2017: Photos|Report
Phsar Daem Thkov High School, February 3, 2017: Photos|Report
Preah Yukunthor High School, January 19, 2017: Photos|Report
Classroom Forum on “The Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979)” – 2016
Final Report of Classroom Forum on the Importance of Studying the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979): EN | KH
Bak Touk High School at July 08, 2016: Photos|Report
Russey Keo High School at June 24, 2016: Photos|Report
Prek Eng High School at June 17, 2016: Photos|Report
Chbar Ampoeu High School at June 03, 2016: Photos|Report
Chak Angre High School at May 19, 2016: Photos|Report
Wat Phnom High School at May 06, 2016: Photos|Report
Porng Tik High School at April 04, 2016: Photos|Report
Sisowath High School at April 01, 2016: Photos|Report
Tuol Ampil High School at March 18, 2016: Photos|Report
Arun Vortey High School at March 04, 2016: Photos|Video|Report
Chumpou Wan High School at February 19, 2016: Photos|Report
Chea Sim Chhouk Va High School at February 12, 2016: Photos|Report
Tuol Tumpoung High School at January 28, 2016: Photos|Report
Tuol Svey Prey High School at January 15, 2016: Photos|Report
Boeng Keng Kang High School at January 08, 2016: Photos|Report
Witness to History
A History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979)
Genocide and Mass Atrocities in World History
Genocide Conference for Lecturers and Young Researchers
Genocide Classroom Forum for High School Students
Public Genocide Education Forum
Genocide Education Memorial
History Book Distribution
Teacher's Guidebook
