Oxfam convened a learning and dialogue session in Phnom Penh that brought together 37 socially engaged youth from local civil society organizations (CSOs) and universities to explore the evolving landscape of digital rights, and civic participation in Cambodia.

Using Oxfam’s Rights in a Digital Age (RIADA) framework and the Civic Space Monitoring Tool, participants accessed key aspects of digital and civic engagement such as access, security, responsible technology use, and governance. The session provided valuable space for young people to reflect on both the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital era.

Participants shared thoughtful perspectives on how digital spaces are shaping civic life, highlighting the importance of maintaining safe, inclusive platforms for dialogue and information sharing.

As Cambodia’s digital infrastructure expands, the group emphasized the value of ensuring people are equipped with tools and knowledge to navigate the online world confidently and responsibly.

Discussions also touched on the role of legal and regulatory frameworks in supporting civic engagement, with participants noting both areas of progress and opportunities for further collaboration. Positive examples of youth-led digital initiatives were celebrated, especially those promoting digital literacy and informed participation in public life.

One key outcome of the session was the identification of media and information literacy (MIL) as a top priority—particularly for youth and other influential groups such as Buddhist monks. Empowering individuals to analyze digital content critically, recognize misinformation, and contribute meaningfully to online conversations was seen as vital for strengthening civic space.

The dialogue concluded with several actionable ideas, including potential partnerships with universities and CSOs to deliver training, awareness campaigns, and digital safety programs. Participants expressed optimism about continuing this momentum and contributing to a digital environment that supports inclusive, informed, and constructive engagement.

This initiative is part of Recentering Civic Internet through Partner Engagement (ReCIPE) project led by Oxfam Ireland and co-funded by the European Union with the aim of cultivating a rights-respecting digital ecosystem. ReCIPE is implemented with partners in 10 countries: Bolivia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Kenya, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Senegal, Somalia, Tunisia, Uganda and Vietnam.