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Field Study Trip V : Cambodia
The RPCS Class III participants traveled to Cambodia Field Study Trip to gain information about the restoration of democracy and civil society in Cambodia. The trip focused on examining the issues of national reconciliation, restoration of democracy and the rule of law, and the protection of civil and human rights.
Discussion at Holiday Villa Hotel on the Topic of Land conflict and challenges of urban poor in Cambodia
From the left is Mr. Lim Phai, Director of Urban Sector Group, Mr. Nhek Sarin of Star Kampuchea, Mr. Somsak, Director of UPDF, Mr. N. Sopheak of UPDF, and Mr. Sok Visal of UPDF
Visit Urban Slums - Images of the Dayee Krahom, Sanbok Champ and Boeungkok Lake
Visit to Andong and Thnout Chrum Pram resettlement Villages
Choeung EK Genocide Memorial at the Killing Fields - The Killing Fields is a sites in Cambodia where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Communist regime Khmer Rouge, which had ruled the country since 1975. The massacres ended in 1979, when Communist Vietnam invaded the country, which at that time was officially called Democratic Kampuchea, and toppled the Khmers.
Tuol Sleng Genocidal Museum (former S-21 Prison) - is a museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) concentration camp by the Khmer Rouge regime. The buildings at Tuol Sleng are preserved as they were left when the Khmer Rouge were driven out in 1979. The regime kept extensive records, including thousands of photographs. Several rooms of the museum are now lined, floor to ceiling, with black and white photographs of some of the estimated 20,000 prisoners who passed through the prison.
Visit Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association ADHOC - Topic: National Reconciliation, Advocacy work of ADHOC with the ECCC
Mr. Thun Saray, President of ADHOC
LICADHO by Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO - Topic: LICADHO's role in advancing human rights in Cambodia.
Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) led by Dr. Sotheara Chhim, Executive Director
Women's Media Center of Cambodia led by Ms. Tive Sarayet, Executive Director
Star Kamphuchea led by Mr. Nhek Sarin, Executive Director
Dinner with Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, President of University of Cambodia and Secretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Sunway Hotel - Topic: Governments national plan for reconciliation, work of Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace
| Extraordinary Chamber in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) This court is called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the prosecution of crimes committed during the period of democratic kampuchea (Extraordinary Chambers or ECCC). |
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Visit Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam) led by Mr. Youk Chang, Executive Director of DC-Cam
Meeting with Ms. Theary C. Seng, Executive Director of CSD on the topic of Personal perspective on genocide, work of CSD in democracy building
Pact Cambodia -led by Mr. Sek Barisoth, Director, Mainstreaming Anti-Corruption for Equity program.
Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) led by Ms. Annabel Hart, Program Manager
Topic: Role of education in combating poverty, work of CCF.
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We had a wrap up discussion on last day in Phnom Penh. Dr. Niti Pawakapan, from the faculty of Political science at Chulalongkorn University helped participants to understand post conflict, including the work of NGOs who try to solve the problems in Cambodia. Participants mapped their experiences from different organizations using visual charts. |
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Evening with Street Families Center in Battambang - Ms. Prok Sokhany and children in the center performed a cultural show and provided dinner for all of our participants and staff.
Whole day in Samlot District - Mr. Hen Sophal, Samlot District Governor (first row in the middle), he gave a talk on the role of government in rebuilding Cambodia and the history of the Khmer Rouge stronghold. We met and interviewed Village Development Committee and Villagers in Samlot area. We learned lot of information from villagers' perspective. We also met with MJP (Maddox Jolie Pitt), an organization for community development in Samlot. We met with three officers, middle row from left, Mr. Loeur, Health Coordinator, Mr. Narap, education Coordinator and Mr. Sam El, Community Development Manager
Panel Discussion on Challenges faced by NGOs in Battambang Province, and work of NGOs at World Vision office in Battambang - Our panelists were Mr. In Vulthy, Field Manager of JSAC, Ms. Him Pisey, Program Manager of World Vision, Mr. Yat Kamsant, HR Monitor of LICADHO, and Mr. Sun Tek, Coordinator of LICADHO (from left)
Mass Grave in Phnom Soupeu - "Killing Caves" is a dark spot in the history of Cambodia.
Caves are eerie, sobering places with a noticeably chilly atmosphere. After torture and interrogation the victims were simply thrown down the shafts of the caves to their certain deaths. These days, the bones are kept locked up in rust red cages in the first cave. The cages contain the remains of soldiers and officials loyal to the Lol Lon regime (who were the first to be executed), rich Chinese merchants (who were next to go), teachers, doctors and other professional people (who arrived after that) and ex Khmer Rouge officials (who the regime had accused of disloyalty).
Long journey from Battambang to Siem Reap by boat - We spent around six and a half hours on the boat. We traveled by floating villages across the beatiful Tonle Sap Lake.
Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation-first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Wrap up discussion on the last day in Cambodia - Peace fellows discussed about how to build sustainable peace in Cambodia from their ten days experiences'
Departure to Bangkok after ten days in Cambodia by Bangkok Airways at Siem Reap International airport
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