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Posted by: | Posted on: September 1, 2011

Crackdown at pagoda

Phnom Penh Post

Thursday, 01 September 2011 15:01, May Titthara and Vincent MacIsaac
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Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Loun Sovath blesses Prey Lang villagers last month. Listen his interviewing with the Khmer Post Radio

Ten university students and five monks at Phnom Penh’s Ounalom pagoda, the former residence of campaigning monk Venerable Loun Sovath, had been threatened with eviction if they had any contact with him, monks said yesterday.

The ultimatum was reportedly delivered by Supreme Patriarch Non Nget to senior monks on Sunday, during the monthly prayer session that coincides with the full moon, the group of monks said on condition they were not identified individually.

Earlier that day, Loun Sovath had visited the pagoda to greet other monks and students who had shared his accommodation, they said.

Those living in part of the complex in which he lived  include monks from Siem Reap, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Battambang and Kampuchea Krom, including some of the Kingdom’s most educated monks.

Monks at the pagoda said the Supreme Patriarch was under political pressure to rein in Loun Sovath, but that both he and they support Loun Sovath’s efforts to pursue peaceful advocacy on behalf of communities facing the loss of land to well-connected companies and individuals.
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Posted by: | Posted on: August 24, 2011

Cambodia’s bill to limit NGOs

TOP STORY

Cambodia’s bill to limit NGOs

If Cambodia passes a law to regulate NGO activity, what influence will it have on the work of land rights activists?

Cambodia’s Council of Ministers recently released a third draft of the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO) that would more tightly control the eligibility of civil society organisations and how they are run. Several NGOs have spoken out against the proposed law, saying that it would give the government too much authority over their work.

“If the law is passed in its current form, everyone will lose out, from civil society to investors with an eye on Cambodia, but, above all, the Cambodian people in whose name NGOs and associations work,” said Virak Ou, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.

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Posted by: | Posted on: August 19, 2011

Dilemma of Cambodia Education System

Otherwise, recent study by UNDP highly recommended the education system of Cambodia to focus on labor market-oriented approach; it has shown that 30,000 graduates each year have no skill compatible with labor market; human capital is poorly produced. On the other hand, Cambodia Daily reported that in Cambodia there are inflation of PhD holders. This tiny country has unbelievably having 2,000 PhD holders and many of them are just honorary PhDs and fraud PhDs.

Op-Ed: CSaloha

Observers and Phnom Penh Post 2011 reports have simultaneously reaffirmed about the exam corruption, leaked exam sheets and bribery happened in the exam rooms. Surprisingly, students collected money to bribe teachers/monitors in exam rooms to be able to copy the answers from texts or leaked answers openly.

Asia Calling reported that corruption is ingrained in Cambodia education system. In the meantime, a study by a partnership between the UNDP and the BBC World Service Trust revealed that major Cambodian youths failed to pay attention with current Cambodian pressing issues. Statistics showed shared demography of youth bulk increases immensely.

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Posted by: | Posted on: August 18, 2011

New study highlights status of youth civic participation in Cambodia

New study highlights status of youth civic participation in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, 21 July 2011

Cambodian youth feel optimistic about the overall direction their country is taking but face challenges on the way to a meaningful participation in the political and socio-economic life of Cambodia. A lack of knowledge and understanding of democratic processes and difficulties expressing issues of concern are among the obstacles to greater youth participation as citizens, a study said.

The United Nations Development Programme released the findings of the nation-wide Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study on youth civic participation and the media in Cambodia on Thursday. UNDP commissioned the BBC World Service Trust to conduct the study with the objective to support greater civic engagement, participation and interaction between the government, civil society and citizens through better understanding of youth awareness and participation in democratic processes.

The baseline study involved face to face interviews with 2000 youth aged 15-24 discussing civic participation, knowledge of democratic institutions and electoral participation. It showed that respondents’ knowledge of democratic institutions and their roles was very limited, particularly of elected bodies such as the Parliament and commune councils.
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