First group of photos are illustrating Mr.Chanroeun Pa and his teams are distributing note-books, scarfs, shampoo, soap, detergent, dry Mii Yeuong noodles, study tools and cash to many kids who have been survived by the rubbish dump. Their living condition has been affected by rubbish environment which is located in remote area: no school, hospital and other amenities. Many kids and families have been moving here in hope for the career of SCAVENGING. Many generous, journalists and NGOs have stepped in to help them release suffering. Some donations offered, wells dug, and we hope that many other plans are on the row. If you wish to spare your heart and love, please do that…the location is following: Phum Tropaeng Thom, Tropaeng Thom Commune, Prasat Bakong District, Siem Reap Province.

Another group was led by Mrs. Chann to distribute note-book, pencil, pen and 500 riel cash to 500 students of primary and secondary school in Phum Dong-het, Khum Kok-thlok Krom, Jikrieng District, Siem Reap province. The school has located in the middle of four villages: Phum Dong-het, Phum Konsaeng, Phum Robieng and Phum Anlong Tro-orn at about 7 km north of national road number 6 at the Domrey Chlong point. During the civil war, this location was ravaged by the factional fighting between the Khmer Rouge armies and Vietnamese armies. The typical career of people here are farmers.

Thank you very much for your kind sharing and hospitality. We expect to receive your extending heart and love for those kids more in the future!!

Join Amnesty International to Sign Petition to the Governor of Phnom Penh to release those 30 peaceful protestors for the rights of housing.

Dear Governor;

Objective: Free forced evictions protesters

I am very concerned at the arrest of 30 peaceful protesters on 11 January, including 24 women and six children, who are now detained at Prey Speu Social Affairs Centre, and call for their immediate release.

I acknowledge the government’s statement that these protesters are not detained; however, protesters report that they are unable to leave, have not been given access to local civil society organisations and are being requested to agree to resettlement documents before release. In my view this constitutes detention and I reiterate the need for their immediate release.

I urge you to conduct a full and independent investigation into the forced eviction of some 300 families living at Borei Keila, Phnom Penh on 3 January, including into why the eviction took place, and the apparent excessive use of force by security forces.

The eight villagers detained on 3 January must be released pending further investigations. The members of the security forces found to be responsible for excessive use of force on this day to be suspended and prosecuted.

Those forcibly evicted must be provided with adequate compensation and suitable alternative accommodation that meets international standards for adequate housing. You are obliged to prevent forced evictions and respect and protect the right to adequate housing, in accordance with international treaties to which Cambodia is a state party.

©UNESCO/D.Weerapong

©UNESCO/D.Weerapong

©UNESCO/D.Weerapong

23.11.2011

Average Cambodians associated climate change with deforestation, disease and increasing temperature, whereas Cambodian NGO workers saw it as global increase in carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation, said BBC World Trust research officer.

Mr. Trak Peaseth shared this message at a UNESCO climate change training to local journalists in Cambodia.  He also emphasized the need for free and easy access to information regarding climate change in Cambodia.

A Climate Change Training Project funded by UNESCO and implemented by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) was recently held in Phnom Penh including a field trip to provide direct experience on climate change in Koh Kong organized by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

A total of 35 participants attended the workshop which was initiated to raise awareness and interest of journalists on climate change in their professional work. Themes ranged from informing background of climate change in global and national context, introducing existing implementing projects in Cambodia, and practicing on how to integrate climate change issues into report writing.

UNESCO’s advisor for Communication and Information in Asia Susanne Ornager said: “To report about climate change is not easy. One has to understand scientific information and to present it to the public so that it is easy for them to digest.  This workshop, with all the excellent experts, will provide further understanding about the subject both national as well as global and also present information about climate change in different subject areas.

“Remember that with pen, camera and microphone you have the power to make changes,” she said.

Adaptation was a keyword constantly used during the training. Many presenters used it to explain that climate change is not an issue which journalists or scientists can forbid or stop, but they can assist with people’s adaptation to it. There was also the mention of IUCN’s ‘Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts- Coastal Southeast Asia’ project, which was created to mitigate the impact of climate change through strengthening the government and community people’s abilities in planning on adapting to the change.

Eap Ponna, Director of Institute of Science and Technology presented and explained issues such as old equipment, their large gasoline consumption which produces much more greenhouse gases in developing countries like Cambodia and alternatives that can clear or filter the emitted pollution substances.

In the second half of the training the group visited the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary in Koh Kong to learn about the coastal ecology and spend time in two isolated fishery communities surrounded by mangrove forests. These communities are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and their ability to adapt to change is very limited. Quality education for children is a prime example and occurring issue due to their parent’s lack of income from fishing, a consequence of marine resource reduction.

The visit to the coastal villages provided the journalists with a firsthand example and direct experience to the problems and issues affecting rural areas within Cambodia. A real situation and opportunity to apply and practice what they had been learning in the workshop in Phnom Penh.

Observation and speeches from trainees showed the lack of knowledge and background of the climate change concept, and the training helped increase the overall awareness and methods of reporting for the participants. It not only provided knowledge, but tools and key contacts for the future gathering of adequate information on climate change.

UNESCO’s representative in Cambodia Anne Lemaistre stressed the importance and impact a journalist’s role plays in preparing people to become resilient to environmental irregularities and challenges.

After the training, over 50 per cent of the journalists reported on Climate Change with 23 articles published. Although the covered news were all about the training, it helped alert people and raise awareness that global climate change is a very important and concerning issue affecting Asia.

Developed countries have committed to providing $32 thousand million dollars to developing countries in their efforts to solve the problems presented by climate change. However, OXFAM estimates that the world needs $100 thousand million per year to solve these problems.

By Jeffry Peguero, UNESCO Bangkok

Source: News from UNESCO Bangkok

First of all, we should pray for those Cambodians who are under fear of flooding. During this unusual flooding, many farmers claimed death, many claimed homeless and many claimed starvation. Not counting the rice paddies which those young seeds are devastated by water, live stocks and commodities are in danger and scarce.

What could we describe on this natural disaster in Cambodia? And what measures are we going to gauge for?

Natural resource is substantial source for national development. Human capital, financial capital and social capital is among important capitals to lift up national prosperity and dignity. Otherwise, natural capital has been debated in recent political dialogue among political scientists.

Political scientists pointed out that there are many countries in this world which leaders have used natural capital as tool to step up to power or maintain their power. The uses of natural capital for personal wealth and power have happened among ancient kingdoms and it has continued to modern day in some countries. Scholars called “failed states” for those countries that have misused natural capital or they have used it for personal wealth and power by allowing their citizens who is the owners of that natural capital live in a dirty poor and indignitary situation. Among those scholars, James Scott named it “predatory states”.

Amartya Sen described natural capital as the national wealth which can endorse national development if the government can manage good governance on the use of those national wealth. Misusing national wealth result in poverty, insecurity and conflict in a society. For Sen, the Nobel Peace Price Laureates economist on the theory of social choice and social welfare, his approach shed light on how government manage the national wealth for equal distribution to all citizens it is governing.

For environmentalist, the growth of economics is not from something else, but it is only the capability of subtracting from the existing natural resource. The overwhelming subtraction of natural capital has resulted in global warming, pollution, soil erosion and famine etc.

In Cambodia, the shape of the country is comparing like the bottom of the pan. All lucks, species and fertilizers have annually entrapped into the center of this pan bottom: the Tonle Sap Lake or Wesnters called it “The Great Lake”. Hence, from year to year, this great lake has become shallowed by the hand of the people. The people is partly blamable for the cause of this unsustainable use of the Tonle Sap Lake, but the key accountability importantly rests on the authority who should have political will to lay down proper management on Cambodian natural capital and take immediate action to handle it before it is too late for protecting our Great Lake.

According to the documentary made by ADB (Asia Development Bank) in 2005, the steps taken by community actions are very vital; but the capitalism dealt within the lake by accommodating more than half of the Lake space for private company concessions is a warning danger for poor families whose living is depending on the Lake and the continue erosion of Lake soil caused by cutting trees for farms and hunting.

Please, watch all three video clips in both Khmer and English language for the effort of “Saving Cambodia’s Great Lake” by ADB.

Part I

Part II

Part III

1. Boeung Kok Lake is a natural lake can be considered as the ancient natural heritage hugely benefit for a wise developer.

2. Outcomes of a wise development remaining Beoung Kok Lake for both greenery sustainable investment and reducing the over flooding water in the city.

3. The concept of urban development and poverty reduction will not in the way that government has been operating nowadays.

Dr. Bunnarith elaborated in his paper that ““GREEN RING” concept will not only raise the spiral of economic development, improve urban life and urban community, but also care for the city’s scarce natural resource, not compromising future generations.” Source: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~csaloha/ and he elaborated on replacement and housing policy in the urban poor areas that “Yet, the Government is endeavoring towards enabling, not depleting, existing housing stocks and improving housing conditions so that people, including the urban poor, can live in a safe and secure environment.” Source: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~csaloha/

So what you have said about the pollution of Beoung Kok Lake, the residents there are not blamable, it is the government’s will to govern their own citizens. However, I walked through behind Phnom Penh Hotel and around the area including boating around the lake, the situation is not like what you claimed. I praise the Phnom Penh municipality for their effort to maintain clean within the city. My personal factual description is different from you; I also can prove you by photos I took.

More comments on the debate on facebook.

Regards,

“Cambodia’s 2001 Land Law prohibits deprivation of ownership without due process and grants the right to apply for a land title to someone who has been in possession of a private property for five years. Article 44 of the Constitution states that the government can only deprive someone of property for “public interest” purposes and requires the payment of fair and just compensation.”

Land issue in Cambodia is lingering by the corruption and anarchic settlement. In the wake of war, for Cambodia, both government and people are anarchic. But the anarchic people is a large profit for anarchic government. The issue of Beoung Kok Lake once has been academically and publicly debated by the researchers, environmentalists, anthropologists and the government. The solution was settled to preserve this natural lake as the leisure place and water reservoir for flooding water in Phnom Penh capital city. But later, the government decided to give concession this important strategic land to their patron tycoon for 99 years without considering the research finding or having proper plan for it.

In a short period, government can hand that huge amount of money, but in a long run, the children of Phnom Penh city will be drawn and badly affected by this self-suicidal concession.

To duly understand Beoung Kok Lake and the urban poor/development, you should visit this website: http://saveboeungkak.wordpress.com Or if you need more academic point of view on the controversial development of Beoung Kok Lake, you should read Dr. Bunnarith’s paper; he gave us much insight on the proper development of Beoung Kok Lake http://www2.hawaii.edu/~csaloha

Interviewer: Venerable, what are your purposes in coming to Australia?
Ven. Luon Sovath: My purposes to come to Australia this time is to participate with Khmer Buddhists in Australia during this auspicious Bon Pchum Ben during this Rain Retreat Season as in Cambodia I am expelled from the pagoda by the Supreme Patriarchs and the Chief Monk of Siem Reap because of my activity in engaging with the evicted communities and the victims of land grabbing. Other purpose is to bring petition for the greater support of everyone in requesting the supreme patriarch as well as the chief monk of Siem Reap province to withdraw their orders.

Interviewer: Now, Venerable is arriving Australia, do you plan to travel to other cities as well or just stay in Melbourne?
Ven. Luon Sovath: Yes, I will travel in accordance with the invitation and friendly relationship of the Buddhist friends here.

Interviewer: so Venerable plans to stay in Australia only one month?
Ven.Luon Sovath: Yes

Interviewer: Recently, Venerable has faced many problems because of your engagement with the social activities, could Venerable discuss those issues in details for the audience here?
Ven. Luan Sovath: Truly, it is because my engagement and outreaching to the communities of land grab victims and forced eviction. In reality, it is not my problem, it is the government problem whose people have been suffered. Look at the Australian government, the suffering of the people has been justly dealt. In Cambodia, the suffering of the people have been deeply embedded by the lawless activities, physical violence and bullet shooting.

According to Buddha’s teaching, everyone is equal and fully exercising basic rights. If the government followed this teaching, it would have no problem in society at all. Authority at all levels must not abuse their power. When people at the rural areas are facing suffering and violation from the richs, the policemen or authorities must help them. But in contrast, those authorities and policemen beat and shoot at the people.

On behalf of a Buddhist monk, I take no side, no discrimination and no violence. I am undertaking four sublime states of the mind ie. metta (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathy) and upekkha (neutrality). But I am not seen by this virtue, contradictorily the authority accused me of violation the rules of Buddhism and joining the political activity. Of course, all these accusations are baseless.

So I would like to appeal to everyone to deeply research on this matter and help to write an appealing letter, petition or other lobbying activities by submitting to the international communities, embassies, Cambodian government and the Buddhist institution etc. to withdraw those orders.

Interviewer: According to the order of Supreme Patriarch Noun Ngeth, it means to force Venerable to stop those activities or to defrock Venerable?
Ven. Luon Sovath: The order is tending to accuse me of political involvement and violation of Buddhist’s principles. In reality, the order has clearly distorted my Engaged Buddhism, freedom of speech and rights of social participation. Understand that the order is not the rule or the principle of the Buddha’s teaching. It is just a personal decision which is evidently a totalitarian manner to force me to be arrested, defrocked or expelled from the country.

But for me, I will not stop from my Engaged Buddhism. I will stand firmly with those victims in Cambodia. For me, if I am defrocked, I am keenly arrested by the new criminal law to put in jail or convicted by the authority.

I have become a monk in order to seek my personal knowledge, to help the social causes and propagate Buddhism. I am wondering, their accusation tends to stop all those primary intention of how becoming a monk of mine or what?

Buddhists and people nationwide and worldwide have supported me and my original purposes in engaging with the communities and propagating Buddhism.

Interviewer: If Venerable went back to Cambodia, is there any pagada Venerable will go to stay?
Ven. Luon Sovath: In accordance to Buddhism, the actual pagoda is inside our heart, the pagoda outside is just a symbolic one. Lord Buddha played important role in teaching us how important is the pagoda inside ourselves. Buddha traveled from places to places without having proper pagoda to stay. I am a Buddha’s student, I must do the same.

Interviewer: Venerable, has you been concerning of personal security and safety?
Ven.Luon Sovath: Every being is afraid of danger and insecurity. I am the same. But my returning back to Cambodia is not feeling in insecure as I have done nothing wrong. Those who are feeling insecure because of their bad deeds and lawless activities.

Interviewer: what is your plans in Cambodia when returning back to Cambodia?
Ven. Luon Sovath: My plan is the same: to learn and practice Buddhism, to outreach to all communities and propagate Buddhism. Those plans are in accordance with principles of Buddhism, universal laws, human rights and freedom of speech.

ភិក្ខុលួន សូវ៉ាត ព្រះសង្ឃខ្មែរមួយអង្គដែលបាននិមន្តមកដល់ប្រទេសអូស្រ្តាលី កាលពីថ្ងៃសុក្រ បានមានសង្ឃដីកាថា ព្រះអង្គ​ពុំ​ដែល​បាន​ប្រព្រឹត្ត​អ្វីដែលប្រាកចាកធម៌វិន័យព្រះពុទ្ធសាសនាឬក៏ច្បាប់ជាតិ និងអន្តរជាតិនោះទេ ទោះបីជា​មានការ​ចោទ​ប្រកាន់​ពី​សម្ដេច​សង្ឃ នន្ទ ង៉ែត កាល​ពីប៉ុន្មាន​ខែកន្លងទៅនេះថា ព្រះតេជគុណ​បានប្រព្រឹត្ត​ល្មើស​ធម៌វិន័យ​របស់​ព្រះពុទ្ធសាសនាក្ដី។

ភិក្ខុលួន សូវ៉ាត​បានមានថេរដីកាថា ក្រៅ​អំពី​ការ​ចូល​រួម​ពិធី​បុណ្យ​ភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ​ជាមួយ​នឹង​ពុទ្ធបរិស័ទ​ខ្មែរ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​អូស្រ្តាលី ព្រះអង្គ​ក៏​ឆ្លៀត​​ឱកាសនេះ ប្រមែ​​ប្រមូល​​ការ​គាំទ្រ​​ពី​សំណាក់​ពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ​ដែល​ស្រឡាញ់​យុត្តិធម៌​ផងដែរ​ដើម្បី​ធ្វើជា​ញត្តិជូន​ដល់​ស្ថាប័ន​​អន្ដរជាតិ​នានា។

មួយរយៈនេះព្រះតេជគុណបានជួបប្រទះនឹងបញ្ហាមួយចំនួនជាមួយនឹងអាជ្ញាធរដោយសារសកម្មភាពរបស់ព្រះអង្គនៅក្នុងសង្គម រហូត​​ដល់​មាន​សង្ឃ​សម្រេច​ចេញ​ដោយ​សម្ដេច​សង្ឃ​មហា​និកាយ ហាម​ប្រាម​​មិន​ឲ្យ​​វត្ត​អារាម​​នៅ​​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា​​ទទួល​យក​​ព្រះ​តេជគុណ​លួន សូវ៉ាត​ឲ្យ​គង់​នៅ​ក្នុង​វត្ត​ឡើយ៕

(ប៊ុន ឡឺវីសីដា)