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Youth

Canada Supports Cambodia's Youth Leadership and Volunteerism Programmes for Democracy and Human Rights

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Canada has committed to promoting democracy, human rights, and inclusive governance in Cambodia through a new youth leadership and volunteerism project launched by the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam). The initiative, supported by Canada's Fund for Local Initiatives, aims to foster democratic values and good governance among young people by engaging them in civic service and intergenerational dialogue with survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian Embassy in Phnom Penh has announced its support for a new youth leadership and volunteerism project launched by the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam) to support Khmer Rouge survivors.
  • The initiative, called CamboCorps, will expand to include more participants, especially from communities along the Cambodian-Thai border still grappling with the long-term impacts of the recent conflict.
  • The programme aims to foster democratic values and good governance among young people by engaging them in civic service and intergenerational dialogue with survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime.
  • According to its Charge d'Affaires, David Verbiwski, the Canadian government is concerned about the loss of the bitter part of human history and the importance of sharing stories with a compassionate younger generation.
  • The programme is part of Canada's broader foreign policy objectives in Southeast Asia, particularly its commitment to promoting human rights, democracy, and inclusive governance, as outlined in its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
  • David Verbiwski highlighted the importance of empowering Cambodian youth to become a living bridge between the past and future for their country.
  • As of this year, approximately 14% of Cambodia's population is estimated to be composed of individuals who directly experienced the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979, which translates to roughly 2.5 million people.
  • Cambodia's current population is about 17.7 million people.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 14% of Cambodia's population (about 2.5 million people) directly experienced the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979.
  • Cambodia's current population is about 17.7 million people.
  • Canada's support for projects like CamboCorps is part of its broader foreign policy objectives in Southeast Asia, particularly its commitment to promoting human rights, democracy, and inclusive governance.
  • The programme aims to empower Cambodian youth to become a living bridge between the past and future for their country, given their unique position as the largest demographic in Cambodia.

Sources:

  • "Canada commits to promoting democracy, human rights, and inclusive governance in Cambodia" - Khmer Times ( exclusive interview with David Verbiwski, Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of Canada)
  • Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam) - "CamboCorps" (youth volunteer leadership programme)
  • Embassy of Canada in Phnom Penh - "Canada Supports New Youth Leadership and Volunteerism Project in Cambodia"
  • Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy - "Invest in and connect people"

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