ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project will build on DC-Cam’s previous (+3,000 strong) youth volunteer initiative called CamboCorps, which offered youth leadership opportunities in community development projects. DC-Cam will provide an expanded training (i.e., half-day virtual workshop) to youth volunteers—providing professional development in the areas of leadership, management, and other ‘soft skills.’ Under the supervision of DC-Cam staff, CamboCorps youth volunteers will be responsible for assisting survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Youth volunteers will be partnered with all Khmer Rouge survivors within a single household to learn about their experiences. Volunteers will also collect stories from the survivors and discuss broader topics like the role of youth in Cambodia’s future.

Cambodian youth lack civic-mindedness, responsibility, and awareness of democratic values. According to a nationally representative survey conducted in December 2020, “participation in traditional forms of civic life – such as raising a concern with elders, attending a meeting, or volunteering in the community, is low.” A “lack of time”, “knowledge”, and “confidence” are the main factors preventing young Cambodians from participating in civic life. The Cambodian education system is also hobbled by traditional forms of teaching, pedagogy, and materials. A “main goal of Cambodian education is to instill discipline and good character,” as opposed to “active citizens for a democratic knowledge economy.” Though there is not much data on youth’s knowledge and understanding of democratic values, “Cambodia’s education system appears inadequately equipped to instill democratic values.
This project addresses three critical needs/gaps in Cambodia. First, younger generations of Cambodians continue to have limited opportunities to learn about concepts of democracy and good governance. Second, there is a significant lack of opportunity for youth to develop leadership and professional skills, and civic mindedness, responsibility, and awareness of democratic values as compared to youth in other Southeast Asian countries. Finally, survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime are becoming increasingly isolated from society as they age, which diminishes their access to health care and ability to care for themselves.

The project’s overall goal will enable a culture that supports democracy, civic service, and good governance through youth volunteer service, and DC-Cam believes this project comes at a critical time in Cambodia. Cambodian youth are struggling to adapt to the changes in the region, which does not bode well for Cambodia’s future across multiple dimensions of democracy, development, and governance. The project is aimed at achieving the following results.
• Increased youth knowledge of basic concepts of a democratic society/ culture
• Increased youth understanding of basic concepts of good governance
• Increased youth competency in soft skills relevant to project activities
• Increased intergenerational/ intercultural dialogue for youth on topics addressing Cambodia’s history and youth’s role in the future of Cambodia
• Increased youth commitment to volunteer civic service

CONTACT
Pheng Pong-Rasy,
Director of DC-Cam’s Genocide Education Programme and the Prey Veng and Takeo Documentation Centres
Email : truthrasy.p@dccam.org
Phone : +855 12 696 961