Intergenerational Forum on the Life Experiences of a Sangkum Reastr Niyum Settler and Khmer Rouge Survivor
On May 21, 2026, the Stung Treng Documentation Center of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), organized an intergenerational forum to promote historical learning and dialogue between generations. The event brought together Nou Bo, a 78-year-old Khmer Rouge survivor, and students from Borei O’Svay Sen Chey High School.
The forum, titled “Intergenerational Forum on the Life Experiences of Khmer Rouge Survivor,” was held at the Physical Legacy of Sangkum Reastr Niyum, King Father–Queen Mother (Borei O’Svay–Sen Chey), a branch of the Queen Mother Library. The gathering provided a meaningful platform for students to engage directly with survivors’ experiences and deepen their understanding of the Khmer Rouge history (1975-1979).
The forum aimed to provide the younger generation with an opportunity to study, explore, and learn from the speaker’s unforgettable experiences as both a Borei O’Svay settler during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum period and a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. By listening to firsthand the story, students gained valuable insight into the hardships endured by earlier generations and the historical transformations that shaped local communities.
In addition, the event fostered a dialogue between a survivor and youths, encouraging meaningful exchanges about Khmer Rouge history and memory. Through these interactions, students were able to ask questions, reflect on the past, and better understand the importance of preserving historical knowledge.
The forum also emphasized the importance of remembrance and prevention to ensure that the such atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime are never repeated in the future. At the same time, it promoted awareness of the value of peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding among younger generations.
Finally, students were encouraged to make use of the library and educational resources available at the Physical Legacy of Sangkum Reastr Niyum, King Father–Queen Mother (Borei O’Svay–Sen Chey), self-learning, and the expansion of their general knowledge.
May 21, 2026
Photo by Sreng Lyda
Documentation Center of Cambodia Archives
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