International Youth Day in Cambodia

2008, By Boramey Chan

Economic Today

 

Sky blue was the color to be seen in Aug. 12 as hundreds of young Cambodians in blue shirts stamped with the Ministry of Education’s logo gathered in Phnom Penh to mark the Ninth International Youth Day.

The unmistakable beige and emerald Cambodian scouts’ uniforms imbued the blue-hued audience with a very appropriate touch of green. With this year’s theme being “Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action,” it seemed only fitting for the young people to be covered in blue and green as they reflected on the need to protect Cambodia’s natural environment from man- made pollutionand the global thirst for energy.

Instituted in 1999 by the UnitedNations, the first International Youth Day was held in 2000, when former United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan said the annual event aims to “make governments more responsive to the aspirations of youth for a better world.”

In Cambodia, International Youth Day has become a forum for youth to speak up to “be part of the solution rather than part of the problem,” as Kofi Annan put it eight years ago.

“I feel it is my privilege to be here with you all today and I congratulate you all on fruitful results of the discussions and new knowledge, skills and friendships that you have just earned,” said Teruo Jinnai, UNESCO Representative in Cambodia, referring to a national youth forum that was held in conjunction with International Youth Day. The forum brought 600 Cambodian youths from different provinces together to discuss this year’s theme— climate change. Successful efforts by world governments to engage youth leave no doubt that the participation of young people in decision-making leads to more effective policies and programs for sustainable socio-cultural and national development, said Teruo Jinnai. Chey Chap, an under-secretary of state for the Ministry of Education, and Director-General Lak Sam Ath pointed out a few of the examples in which youth have collaborated with the Government on education, economy, health, and especially environment issues.

Twenty-year-old Chui Chanthy, a fourth year student at the National University of Management and youth representative at the ceremony, voiced her peers’ commitment to mitigating climate change by changing daily habits. Young Cambodians, she pointed out, understand the value of turning off electric appliances to reduce power consumption, reducing their waste and recycling reusable goods.

Chui Chanthy was a participant of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program—an international youth exchange program in which young people from Japan and ASEAN countries live aboard a boat for 50 days that sails through the participating countries. She encouraged youth not to be shy about participating in social activities such as International Youth Day and any other events that remind them about their responsibility to make their society and the world a better place.

Cambodia is a youthful country, which means today’s young Cambodians will have considerable influence over how the country’s develops, said Chui Chanthy. Guests, speakers and participants of International Youth Day were welcomed with a gracefully executed wishing dance, one of Cambodia’s most famous classical dances. A song performed by a group of young Cambodians, which highlighted duties youth have in society, ASEAN and the world, and a traditional folk dance— Peacock of Pailin Dance—punctuated the morning’s festivities Aug. 12.

The celebration was crowned with the release of multicolored balloons attached with messages on transparent plastic that said, among other slogans: “Protecting the environment is youth’s duty.” In the relaxed atmosphere of the National Institute of Education’s yard, young participants, who listened attentively to the speakers’ messages, let go of their seriousness and let smiles and laughter fill the air. Pin Manika, a participant and a member of the Khmer Youth Social Development organization, was delighted to attend the event. “The dancing shows and the song were great,” she said, “but especially this day gave me the occasion to learn more about youth responsibility and was a chance to meet new people.”

The man behind the mask: saving an ancient tradition

Thursday, 05 November 2009 15:00 Ou Mom

Phnom Penh Post

Many of Cambodia’s oldest stories have been lost, but An Sitha and his students are working to preserve Khmer folklore by reproducing its chief characters

Photo by: OU MOM

Traditional Khmer masks made by master An Sitha.

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The ancient techniques are costly and difficult to produce, and require a lot of concentration and time.

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GET ready to see an epic battle as Preah Ream and his monkey army wage war on demon king Krong Reap in order to win back the beautiful Neang Seda.

OK, maybe the battle’s a myth, but the tradition of ceremonial Khmer mask-making fuels the mind’s eye; one can imagine the spectacular vision of colourfully masked warriors embroiled in a furious melee.

Although traditional masks may not be the hottest thing to hit the Kingdom this year, or even this century, tutor An Sitha is working to ensure Cambodia’s youths don’t forget the artisanal skill that has helped sustain Cambodia’s traditional stories, such as the clash of the kings in Reamke, for centuries.

An Sitha teaches students in the Department of Plastic Arts at the Royal University of Fine Arts, and his disciples take the preservation of Cambodian’s heritage seriously. Mask-making students, who are required to have graduated from secondary school, must spend two years learning ancient drawing techniques before beginning three years of training in Khmer mask-making.

In An Sitha’s classes, each mask is a masterpiece. First, the basic shape of the monster, monkey or king’s head is sculpted in wet clay. A cement mould is then made of the front and back of the head, and strips of paper soaked in glue are pressed and painted into the mould form, building up the skin of the mask until there are at least 10 layers of paper. The visage is then allowed to dry a little until the basic mask form, still damp, is gently removed and left to harden before the detail is added.

An Sitha said he tries to produce masks that are as historically exact as possible, but it’s not easy. “The ancient techniques are costly and difficult to produce, and require a lot of concentration and time. We always light incense to concentrate our minds before we make a mask.”

A lack of materials also hampers An Sitha and his students in their mission to mimic primeval procedures. Raw materials such as lacquer and rare woods can be expensive and difficult to find.

Photo by: OU MOM

An Sitha talks with TV5 at a showing of his masks at the French Cultural Centre.

The pricey materials and demanding procedures make the masks rather expensive. An Sitha said that most of the buyers are actors, artists, foreigners, middle-class Cambodians and art-lovers. “But for some customers who want cheaper mask, we also make it from cheaper materials,” adding that the more money people pay, the better the quality of the product.

An Sitha’s students must also be well-versed in Khmer traditional stories and know the characters, their specific colours and their particular ornaments. Three hundred years of culture depends on An Sitha’s students. “Our history of masks goes back to the 7th century,” says An Sitha. “We make masks based on the old documents. Until now, we haven’t created or designed new techniques. When we compare the old techniques to new techniques, the old products evoke more emotions and spirit,” said An Sitha.

Neighbouring countries Myanmar and Thailand, where An Sitha has been exhibiting his Khmer mask collection, have different ways of making masks because they refer to newer documents from the 18th century. “We have unique styles and techniques; our masks are smaller than theirs, for example,” said An Sitha.

Smaller they may be, but they are no less important – especially in a country where culture is often all too ephemeral. An Sitha’s family is one of the few still making traditional masks in Cambodia. If you want to take part in the legacy and see their work, visit their shop at No 25, E1 on Street 178 in Phnom Penh.

Public relations specialists see a big role in nation

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 15:00 Hay Phirum and Keo Kounila

Phnom Penh Post

 

Photo by: Keo Kounila

Nou Vannsan says she is proud to have studied mass communication and relishes her job as a communication assistant.

With about 800 organisations registered with the government, communication jobs are expected to rise above the average level. However, there are few and far between aware of the demand for polished communication graduates.

Chim Linna, 25, works on communication issues for Open Institute, promoting gender equality. “Being a communication officer at an organisation is more than being a reporter because a communication officer, besides contacting sources and writing news, has to use a lot of creativity and design skills to set up workshops, seminars, press conferences,” Chim Linna said.

Nou Vannsan, 24, says her chosen field of communication will surpass business, accounting or medicine. But she expressed concern about the field’s own public relations.

“Many organisations still can’t see the importance of the communication field,” he says, adding that in a developed country, communication is necessary for an organisation to run smoothly.

Many define communication work differently, but Tieng Sopheak Vichea, the head of the media and communication department at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said the government often hires press officers to respond to media inquiries and industries, and that many NGOs, trade unions and schools also seek qualified public relations officers.

Seng Bopha, a programme communication analyst at the UN Development Programme said: “I can see there is a demand for local communications or media professions. If you are able to see that studying communication does not fixedly mean being a reporter – of course reporting work is one of many related careers – you will understand what I mean.” She added: “Communications people help an institution to realise their planned objectives and reaching a broad target audience cost-effectively.”

Cambodia’s finest secure chance to study at European universities in new program

Thursday, 09 July 2009
By Keo Kounila and Ung Kim Oan
Phnom Penh Post

Photo by webcam

Chan Boramey, 20, says she has high hopes for her communications studies in Romania.

Cambodian students from a variety of backgrounds are to leave to study at universities in eight European countries in August this year.

The 34 students are the first to be offered the chance to study abroad through the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus Mobility with Asia programme (EMMA).

According to Phal Des, EMMA coordinator in Asia and IT dean at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), the programme aims to strengthen and bridge the knowledge gap between Europe and Asia.

“Europe is full of old wise people; Cambodia full of young but inexperienced people, so they need to go and learn from them,” Phal Des said.

“This is part of globalisation – we want to learn from the developed countries a lot.
“These students will come back and become human resources for our country.”

Phal Des added that in Europe, students who qualified for the EMMA program were admired and sought after by many employers.

Looking to the future
Chanthy Somela, 22, is a junior of agriculture at the Royal University of Agriculture and in his third year of Information Technology at RUPP. He finished his bachelor’s degree in forestry in 2008.

He said he found out about the program through friends, Internet and brochures, and felt proud to be one of the Cambodians selected for the program.

“I’m very happy and feel very proud of myself,”Chanthy Somela said.
“I will try more to get my master’s degree in forestry in Europe in a year.

“I am sure I will encounter new experience, thinking, new concepts, and a new environment.
“When I come back, I will help develop my country in the sector of forestry.”

Chan Boramey, 20, will go abroad to study journalism and communication in Romania for one year.
She said she was leaving with a big hope in her heart.

“This is a great chance for Cambodian students to get exposed to a civilised culture, and it will open again for any student who is interested,” she said.

“I am going to make the best out of every moment I have being there.”
Addressing disadvantage

The other international EU scholarship programme was highly prestigious, said Phal Des, and was aimed specifically at Asian students from a disadvantaged but academic background.

The first phase of the program was finished early this year when 112 students from Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Philippines were accepted.

The number of students from Cambodia made up almost one-third of the students from the five countries in the programme.

The students will study in Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Turkey and the Netherlands.

“I am very proud that a lot of Cambodian students have been selected, and this precious opportunity will keep their lives well-equipped,” said Phal Des.

EMMA offers scholarships on undergraduate studies, graduate studies of master’s and doctorate degrees, post-doctorate and research, Phal Des added.

The second phase will happen again in October this year in five different countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia and Myanmar.

EMMA’s contact in Cambodia is Phal Des at RUPP.

Films rock a new generation

Tuesday, 27 October 2009  Ou Mom, Phnom Penh Post

A film festival screening Khmer cinema classics draws a huge response from youngsters, with hundreds gathering for the rock’n’roll closing party

 

Photo by: OU MOM

Flower power: 1960s star of the Khmer silver screen Dy Saveth rocks on at the Golden Reawakening film festival closing party at Chinese House on Saturday night.

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Most of the filmmakers at that time portrayed their views of Cambodian lifestyle.

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LIKE so many of of her generation, 25-year-old Visal is blown away by the visual creativity of a 1960s Cambodian film classic.

After watching the movie Putisen Neang Kong Rey (“12 Sisters”), produced in 1968 by filmmaker Ly Bun Yim, the student of Khmer literature is left wondering how filmmakers of Cambodia’s “Golden Age” created such fantastic scenes.

“It must have been difficult at the time to produce a movie without the technology we have today,” Visal says.

“But he [Ly Bun Yim] set perfect scenes like earth cracking and eye scratching.”

The film screened at Chinese House on October 17 at the beginning of the film festival “Golden Reawakening: Bringing the Age of Cambodian Film Back To Life”. During a week of screenings more than 1,000 people turned out to share Visal’s awe at the locally produced movies.

Dy Saveth, a Cambodian actress who starred in many productions at the time, explained how the filmmakers had made their own way in the world of cinema.

“Khmer films at that time were just developing. We didn’t have high technology,” she said. “We shot the pictures on film, which is costly, especially since everything was shot naturally, without effects, and heavily edited.”

She said the Khmer filmmakers did not tend to copy scripts or styles from other countries, but drew from their own traditions and culture.
“At most they developed some shooting and editing techniques which they’ve learned from overseas,” she said.

“Most of the filmmakers at that time portrayed their views of Cambodian lifestyle, with a particular focus on Khmer tradition and culture.

“I performed in movies with both modern and ancient themes.” But Dy Saveth said her films were no longer screened in Cambodia.

“This is the first ceremony, and I hope there will be more,” she said.

Festival curator Davy Chou, a French-Cambodian filmmaker whose grandfather, Van Chann, was a successful film producer of the era, said he was overwhelmed by the response.

“These nine days were amazing, and we really didn’t expect such a success,” he said. “I don’t think it is enough to have only one week screening for Cambodian cinema to re-emerge. Most of the young Cambodians have asked for more weeks of screening.”

Davy worked with a group of students and artists called Kon Khmer Koun Khmer (Cambodian Films, Cambodian Generation) to organise the festival, which wound up with Saturday night’s “Cambodian Rock ’n’ Roll Party” at Chinese House. The gig attracted hundreds of people, many dressed the part in clothing of the era.

Special guests included Dy Saveth, filmmakers Ly Bun Yim and Yvon Hem, Tea Kim – daughter of filmmaker Tea Lim Koun – and Sern Chan Chhaya, director of the Khmer Film Department at the Ministry of Fine Arts.

One of the few surviving filmmakers of the era, Ly Bun Yim expressed surprise at the level of interest shown by the youngsters.

“Until the rock ’n’ roll party tonight, I couldn’t believe that a young generation like you had created the idea of the film screening,” he said.

And with so many people gathered in such a small place, it was an emotional event. Festival organiser Prum Seila said many people had turned out with their families.

“When there were crying scenes in the film, they cried together. When there were laughing scenes, they laughed together,” he said.

Buy Khmer

By Boramey Chan,Economic Today Magazine

 

When tensions broke out between Cambodia and Thailand over ancient temples along the border, food and drink shop keeper Ros Vo never expected it would be a boon for Cambodian-made products.

“I’m really surprised how many of my customers ask for Mee Yeung instant noodles,” Ros Vo told Eco-nomics Today. Mee Yeung noodles are produced by Men Sarun Company at the first wholly Cambodian-owned noodle factory to operate in the country. The company began producing packaged noodles late in June in Kandal province.

Patrons of Ros Vo’s shop have been requesting Mee Veung instant noodles by name after the naming of Preah Vihear Temple as an UNESCO World Heritage site triggered conflict between the two countries.

Prior to the conflict, she says her customers tended to prefer Thai products because they said were convinced they were of better quality than Khmer products.

Representatives from Men Sarun Company, which produces Mee Yeung noodles, were contacted but said they were too busy to comment about the rising popularity of their noodles.

Phnom Penh university student Chan Thida told Economics Today she feels it is patriotic to support made-in-Cambodia products such as Mee Yeung noodles, which translates in English as “Our Noodle.” She said in addition to instant noodles, given the choice she would purchase other Cambodian products such as fruit, fruit juice and clothing, among other items.

The border dispute has prompted some in Cambodia to actively encourage other Khmer people to make a conscious effort to choose Cambodian-made products and to boycott consumer items made in Thailand. Activists have been circulating mass emails and mobile phone text messages in an effort to persuade Cambodians to change their consumer habits.

High school student Sokunthy is among those who have been convinced. She said she was so disappointed in how Thailand responded to the conflict over the temple, she has stopped using Thai products and, whenever possible, is using products made in Cambodia instead.

“I got many phone messages encouraging me to support Khmer products and I forwarded them to many of my friends,” she told Economics Today.

A typical message reads: “Being Cambodia we must stop using all kinds of Thai products and support our products. It starts with you, to-day! Please forward this to others if you are truly a Khmer nation.”

Chrin Phok, ITC lecture, has also been inspired to support Khmer products and especially clothing

made in Cambodia. He said he also received and forwarded onto friends email and SMS messages asking him to “Stop using Thai products”

Public unease over the border dispute in Cambodia prompted the cancellation of two produce fairs that were scheduled to be held this month in Phnom Penh. Logan growers in northern Thailand had planned to sell more than 10 tons of their fruit at two shopping malls. More than 200 Thai producers also were to have displayed their products at an exhibition that is usually held each year at this time.

Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh reportedly told the Chinese news agency Xinhua on Aug. 3 that he approved of Thai-land’s decision to cancel the fairs. “It could make turmoil,” he said, according to Xinhua, adding that the recent military standoff at the border has made Cambodians reluctant to buy Thai products.

But Jiranun Wongmonkol, director-consultant of Thai commerce for the Thai embassy in Cambodia, told Raksmey Kampuchea that trade between the two countries is still flowing. The calls by some in Cambodia to boycott Thai products have had little impact, she claimed.

According to the Cambodian Commerce Ministry, trade between Cambodia and Thailand totaled US$1.4 billion in 2007, which was a 10.56 percent increase over 2006. ■

About Me!

I may be just nothing to the world, but at least I am something to myself. I don’t know how long can I live but I will live as long as I can. The most important about me is I am not a perfect galz,…but who’s care? That’s just the way my life is!I am who I am n always be myself!:)

HI everyone!
I am Boramey, but u can call me PECH, it’s quite easier. I’m 19 but gona turn to 20 this august. Now I’m still student,3rd year of Royal University of Phnom Penh, majoring in Media and Communication.

I am quite an easy-going and talkative. My free time are about music and TV. Music means so much to my world. Music is the best friend that I can share my mood with.

Talk about life. It’s not too bad. Beside study I have to use most of my spare time help my parent with their small home business to be survive.

For everyday life I spend much time with my pity motor, riding all the way home to school and vice-versa. It’s fun and nice but also bad when I walk it in the sewage water that flooded around my house after the heavy rain.

And …..catch me through my Messenger, turyeh@yahoo.com, to know more about me!

Government vows to close gambling, but is it the best way?

Early this February, PM Hun Sen called for the closure of the nation’s largest football betting agency, Cambo Six, and several slot machine operators. Government claims that this closure benefits to society. These businesses contributed little to the tax base and caused divorces, social instability, robberies and thefts. However, without compensation from government, it harms those companies’s investment. As a result over 100 of gambling were closed and around 5000 people lost their job. Can government assure that the social matters cases reduce from this closure?

Government says it is a medicine to cure those social-ills; however, it can be a poisoning to kill people’s interest. 5000 unemployment can have a very bad impact on family’s income. It is possible that crimes such as violence or robberies rise up because of job-loss people. Government gives reaction but no responsibility. It’s been months already, but government still does nothing about the closure. There is neither compensation nor any solutions, beside a rush to close.

The closure also make Cambodia lose much income taxes and the trusty of investment. We are in a democracy country, so they shouldn’t act like a communist one. People have right to give a try in lottery or gambling for fun or for their lucky fortune.

There is a better solution rather than the closure. Government had better find other strategy but not a closure. They can set up laws that instruct the company and the gambler to limit the amount of their bet money. Also, they can restrict on the local players, like in NAGA world, only foreigner can play those slot machine games. Government must give more reasonable action before they release any issues. Hope they won’t repeat the previous experience of release the ban of karaoke parlors during 2002 and not long after that, those businesses came back as normal.

Boramey

Make a move for Khmer New Year!

Three words that you have to think of for the upcoming Khmer New Year are “Make a Move”! Be well prepared or you may taste a lonesome New Year. Beggars and even better-off persons are going to make a move, so why not you?

First of all plan a move. Phnom Penh may look like an abandoned city as most of the residents are leaving for their hometown. Most parts of the town are quiet. You should set up a plan and make sure you have somebody to stay with if you don’t want to be haunted in this hushed city.

Then make your move before New Year. If you need clothes or anything, you’d better go shopping at least two weeks or one month earlier as everything may be the double price. Save some money so you can afford to buy a rain coat to protect yourself from water-throwing on New Year’s day.

Beside, you can enjoy a lot of music from your neighbors to celebrate, sometimes even weeks before the big day. It may bother you but it can save electricity from having to turn on your music player. However, don’t enjoy it too much like the cicadas. Go find some foods to store like ants. Most markets will be closed for three days, and you have to be prepared if you don’t want to look skinny after New Year.

While a market is a daily kitchen for street-boys, they usually eat the foods that are left from people, so where else is their reserved kitchen if it is closed? Well, that is why they too have to make a move. Neither far from a market nor outside town, pagodas are their temporary kitchen. There is going to be plenty of food that people bring to pray for the monks. Lucky for those guys, even though they are not monks, they can share the monks’ food. For the moment those guys are around, you should move watch your shoes too. There always shoes stolen but no court to judge besides issuing these two words: “be careful.”

After these preparations, it should be time to move for your New Year fun. Although the town is quiet, there are also some places that can entertain you. Wat Phnom is one remarkable area where many people play popular games and dance. However, make sure you join a real popular game, not a popular gambling game, if you don’t want to spend your time in detention.

At sundown, many people join this celebration but among those huge crowds, there are bad people who take advantage of innocent people like you. Don’t be careless with your property. With only few police versus large groups of people you’d better bring only a little money, no phone nor nice shoes if you don’t want to go back home with an empty pocket and one shoe. A special alert for women is to bring a male-guard so you won’t experience a stranger’s dirty hand with baking powder on your face like me.

For those who go to the countryside, you should pay much attention to the road. In previous years, people have died when escaping from water-throwing and got into accidents, some with broken necks and unconsciousness. So, you had better stay calm and make a smart move if you still want to join the next New Year.

By Chan Boramey

 

Film making course!

Here it is! My most favourite subject! I have been waiting for such a long time to access it and now it finally is in my study course.

That’s really cool that I can get a month intensive course and another weekend course on film making. It’s quite hard and complicated work but also fun. My very first project is a short film about Lady-Boy. For shooting is okay but the editing is tough.

Well, it is just a start. Let’s see what’s coming up next, whether I can do it or not. However, I’m quite sure…I will! Yes I will!