Voice (En)

Voice in Cambodia

សម្រាប់ភាសាខ្មែរ

Voice is an innovative grant facility that supports the most marginalized and discriminated people in ten low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia, of which Cambodia. Voice aims to amplify and connect thus far unheard voices in efforts to leave no one behind and targets five groups of people:

  1. People living with disabilities
  2. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, intersex (LGBTI) people
  3. Indigenous groups and ethnic minorities
  4. Women facing exploitation, abuse and/or violence
  5. Age discriminated vulnerable groups notably the young and elderly

A contextual analysis on the five groups in Cambodia brought to light some interesting results:

While all groups face a level of marginalisation and discrimination the analysis made very clear that the first three groups were the most discriminated with women and girls as the most common intersection identified between all groups. Women in all the groups are more vulnerable, face higher rates of poverty, lower economic opportunity, higher rates of violence, poorer health conditions, and other vulnerabilities compared to men. Voice in Cambodia will therefore prioritise the first three groups with a focus on women and girls as a cross-cutting issue.

Projects funded by Voice will need to address one or more of the impact themes:

  • improving access to (productive) resources (finance, land and water) and employment
  • improving access to social services, health and education in particular
  • fostering space for political participation

Does this sound interesting for your organisation? Voice has open calls for proposals on a regular basis for four different grant types. To find out more about the calls for proposals, application guidelines and eligibility criteria, please visit www.voice.global/cambodia. You can also send an email to cambodia@voice.global if you have any further questions.

Media coverage, JuiKnia campaign

Chhorvy, Voices for Change Program Manager, shared JuiKnia in Gender workshop
Sok Chan Chhorvy, Voices for Change Program Manager of Oxfam, shared JuiKnia campaign during the workshop on gender. ©Photo: Vayo

Here's an unofficial translation of some print and online media coverages during JuiKnia campaign.
 

Over 40,000 Cambodian urges world leaders to open hearts to refugees

Oringinal article: Vayo Radio News

Juiknia is a campaign organized by Oxfam to send message to world leaders to open doors and hearts and welcome refugees and migrants. This campaign runs for one month and had just closed in early May. As a result, Oxfam and partners have collected 40,000 supports from Cambodian and diverse communities around the world who are compelled to send message to world leaders to open hearts to refugees as it is the issue of the world.

Refugee crisis is still the issue of the world. In responding to this issue Oxfam, an international organization working on poverty reduction, organized its first campaign to collect voices from Cambodian to send message to world leaders to open hearts and welcome refugees who are seeking for asylum. This campaign organized in partnership with Bophana Center, Politikoffee, Phare Ponleu Selpak, Cambodian Living Arts and Khmerican.

Oxfam received over 40,000 signatures after its one month campaign starting from March 31st to May 1st. This number is three-time exceeded the target. Within one month, the organization received over 200,000 like, share and comments on its Facebook.

Man Asisah, Policy and Campaign Coordinator of Oxfam, said, after collecting these signatures the team will send a letter to embassies in Cambodia.

Right now, over 65 million people are being driven from their homes, threatened by death destruction, to find asylum in a safe place.

40 years ago, Cambodian refugees were welcomed by countries around the world.

Dr Sok Siphana, Consultant to the government of Cambodia shared his experience as one of Cambodian refugees: “…the life of refugees is not as hard as the life during Pol Pot regime.”

Voice: “I left Cambodia alone in December 1979 to Thai border to look for my sister who left the country since before the genocide [Pol Pot regime]. We do not know where she goes. My mom said we need to find her so I have left home alone then my mom and other four family members followed me. The life of refugees is not as hard as the life during Pol Pot regime. For me, we were already happy—I did not say the life of refugee is happy but it is better comparing to the genocide in Pol Pot regime.”

Arn-Chon Pon, Founder of Cambodian Living Arts, said he is former Cambodian refugee who was evacuated by the Khmer Rouge. It was a fade that he met an American man who was then brought him to the United States. He continues:

Voice: In 1974 I was 8 or 9 years-old. I heard Khmer Rouge win the fight with America. Later thousands of people were evacuate. Later I saw an American man, Peter Pon who was then became my god-father, walking to the camp.

During the meeting in New York hosted by Obama in 2017, world leaders committed to accept 360,000 refugees. However, under the mandate of the new government, Donald Trump strongly rejected the acceptance of refugees regardless UN’s request. Understanding the difficulties of refugees Oxfam is calling world leaders to open doors and hearts and welcome refugees from all around the world.




Over 12,000 Cambodian voices will be send to world leader to welcome refugees

Asisah Man

Man Asisah, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of Oxfam and the person who coordinated this campaign talks to VOA reporter, Phon Bopha, at Oxfam office in Phnom Penh on 3 May 2017. ©Photo: Phon Bopha/VOA
 

Oringinal article: Voice of America (VOA)

Juiknia is a campaign organized in response to world refugee crisis in which over 65 million people are being driven from their homes due to conflict, violence and threatened in various form.

Phnom Penh—while hundred thousand of people leaving their homes in some war countries like Syria the politicians of superpower countries are setting restriction to refugees. To restore refugee crisis Oxfam is mobilizing support through juiknia campaign which was just ended in early May.

Oxfam is an international organization working on poverty reduction. The organization just closed its campaign on Tuesday with a total of over 10,000 signatures and over 20 stories of hopes of Cambodian migrants and refugees.

Juiknia was organized in response to world refugee crisis in which over 65 million people are being driven from homes due to conflict, violence and threaten in various forms.

In early 2015 Australian government provided financial support in exchange to sending refugees from Afganistan who seek for asylum in Australia to Cambodia.

In January the new government of the United State, Donald Trump, set a policy not to accept asylum seeker who left the war and other turmoil country like in Syria. Until now, his order is not effective.

Juiknia campaign started in end of March and ended in early May. There were film screening of a man who visited his homeland after his family left Cambodia to France during the war time. The video was screened at Bophana Center.

Man Asisah, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of Oxfam and the person who coordinated this campaign told VOA during the film screening on Tuesday evening that this campaign was organized to mobilize support and send message to superpower and developed countries to open doors to refugees wholeft their homes due to war and other turmoil.

Asisah told VOA at Bophana Center that: “The world is facing refugee crisis. Based on the figure from Oxfam, over 65 million people are escaping from one place to another place, from one country to another country to seek for asylum, the place where they think it is safe and can survive.”

In mid-May the signatures and the stories of hopes will be binded and send to world leaders of 10  developed countries such as U.S., European Union and China etc.

Asisah said: “Oxfam expects that with the signatures collected throughout this campaign world leader will continue to open hearts and warmly welcome refugees from all around the world.”

Phay Siphan, government spokesman, who left Cambodia to U.S. in 1979 escaping from the killing by Khmer Rouge told VOA that he can surve untill today because he has escaped to U.S. during the war in Cambodia.

Phay Sipha, said: The number of people who escaped from the war is tremendous due to political instability and the invasion from other countries which make those people become refugees.

In the video shown during the launch of juiknia, Sok Siphana who left Cambodia to U.S. when Cambodia was instable said “I had the chance to work a lot for Cambodian society because of hte education received from living abroad. I brough my knowledge back to share with my society.”

Today, he is the advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Son Chay, member of opposition party [Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP)], who left Cambodian in 1980 to Australia told VOA that the superpower countries should continue to open their doors to refugees who cannot stay in their countries due to war.

Son Chay said: “We know that in the current world political situation politicians have restriction to refugees or those who escaped from war to find asylum.”

He said that those who do not welcome refugees are superior to politicians who have a tendency to accept refugees.

He continued that Cambodia must join in calling on the acceptance of refugees worldwide.

“If there is no permisson to temporary or permanently allow refugee to stay they could not stay and may struggle till death.”

Hundred thousand of Cambodian people left their homes to other countries  such as U.S., France, Australia and others when Cambodia had war.




The interview on refugees and Cambodian participation

Paolo Lubrano, Oxfam Regional Humanitarian Manager

Paolo Lubrano, Oxfam Regional Humanitarian Manager, launch of JuiKnia campaign in Phnom Penh, 31 March 2017. ©San Sel/RFA

Oringinal article: Radio Free Asia (RFA)

Refugee crisis become a tremedous issue around the world because the number of refugees has increased to over 65 million people. 65 million people are being driven from their homes, threatended by death destruction and left their homes due to war, conflict and and threatend.

At the end of March, San Sel from Radio Free Asia interviewed Paolo Lubrano, Regional Humanitarian Manager of Oxfam, in Phnom Penh on refugee crisis and the posibility of Cambodian participation to solve the issue.

San Sel: While the world particularly ASEAN (refugees in Rohingya and Myanmar) is facing tremedous refugee crisis, why Cambodia should pay attention to the issue?

Paolo Lubrano: First of all, it is the legal obligation. Refugees are protected by UN convension on refugees. It is the obligation of the governmet to provide education, asylum, job and health care.

I think Cambodia is the right country to start this campaign  because it is one among two countries in the region who signed on UN convension on refugees with the Phillippines. The other reason is that Cambodia experienced hungers, difficulties and many negative memories. Cambodia committed to turn the suffer to a lesson for others. We started this campaign with Cambodia because there are many lessons others can learn from.

San Sel: As Cambodia has no longer have serious refugees issue, some citizen think that refugee issue of Rohingya people in Rohingya is Rohinya’s issue, refugee in Myanmar is Myanmar’s issue. What is your message to those citizen?

Paolo Lubrano: I think it is all our problem because what is happening with Rohingya who migrated to Malaysia, Bangladesh is that they will face difficulties. All of this may happen to us some day.

How many of us may leave our homes due to security issue that may happen again? Cambodia shows the support as cambodia used to be given a warm welcome.

We should provide what we have received if we want to maintain the willingness and good will that we received. Provide the love to those who are in need. This is the only way to pay back to what we have received.

This does not refer to only Cambodia but to other countries as well. It is a legal obligation and also moral obligation as human. We need to come together and help each other.

San Sel: How can Cambodia join ‘juiknia’ to solve refugee crisis?

Paolo Lubrano: There are many ways. First of all, we need to join voices to regconize refugees’ rights. It’s relevants to the implementation of UN convension on refugees.

We need to find way to urge our government to find a legal way for refugees. We need to urge our government to equally pay attention to refugees to get education, health care, job, protection and asylum.

I think we should raise our voice and find a reason to show that the response to refugee issue is right. I think refugees have many stories of hope, struggling and togetherness. I think this is all the stories we need to understand.

San Sel: The other question is related to Rohingya’s refugee crisis in Myanmar in ASEAN. The United Nation found that Rohingya people is facing killing. What should SEAN and the world do to solve this crisis?

Paolo Lubrano: At the moment it seems that no one is wiling to solve the issue because of deep political involvement in the issue and humanitarian. Based on my opinion, we should join hand to find other solution. Some Rohingya people are evacuated to remote island in the bay of Bengal(Paolo metioned Goly?)—a dangerous place. This is not how we take care people.That island is prone to flooding. Rohingya people are forced to leave homes and do not get education and healthcare. This is not acceptable because it contracts with human rights.

What we can do is to find a possible solution but the nationalism in Myanmar has to be resoved first. There are two ways. First is internal and second is external. ASEAN can help through putting political pressure to Myanmar government by  doing integration before forcing people to leave. Provide humanitarian assistant.

If the integration cannot be used because we need more time then the we can only provide humaitarian assistan, ASEAN can put political pressure to Myanmar government and allow transportation of humaitarian asssistant to the place where Rohinghya people are living, and provide water, food, education and women rights’ protection.

Meawhile the world today is talking about this issue, for example in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Malaysia. There are many research ad discussion about this issue. ASEAN also joint.

We as civil society organization also raised this issue. Oxfam, Save the Children, Plan and many other organizations are part of the ASEAN working group. Our role is to raise this issue and find political tactic to solve the issue.

San Sel: Based on your observation what is the development of refugee situation in the future?

Paolo Lubrano: Integration approach is a possible strategy. In the coming years, the government will find a way to do integration step by step from small size to bigger size. We cannot do integratin with people at the same time but we can do it step by step. Second, humanitarian assistant team wil find new way to reach to crisis area to help and work with refugees. This will be done in two ways. Firstly, human rights approach ad secondly humanitarian assistant approach. Both has to be done at the same time. However, the possible way is integration from small to bigger size. This is happening in some area and there are more to come.

San Sel: Thank you!

Paolo Lubrano: Thank you!

 

Solinn, launch JuiKnia


Campain on refugee crisis ‘Jui Knia’ calls for Cambodian participation

Oxfam Country Director, Solinn Lim, gave a speech during the launch of JuiKnia campaign, 31 March 2017. ©SanSel/RFA

Oringinal article: Radio Free Asia (RFA)

The number of refugees and migrants around the world has increased to over 65 million people. They are being driven from their homes due to conflict, violent and threaten. Fourty years ago, Cambodian used to be refugees as well.

In response to refugee crisis, ‘jui knia’ is a campaign organized to mobilize stories of hope in the past to send message to world leaders to open doors to refugees.

‘Jui Knia’ campaign was launched on March 31st in Phnom Penh by Oxfam.

Lim Solinn, Oxfam Country Director, said “Jui Knia” shows what Cambodian experienced 40 years ago when many people left their homes, families, relatives and memories of hope to find a new home where there is no war, no killing and is a new opportunity to build new life.

The main objective of this campaign is to mobilize thousand f support from refugees and migrants to join hand to support over 65 million refugees and migrants around the world to welcome refugees by signing on the petition.

Solinn said that the participation from Cambodian people to share their personal storie will help the world understand more about the difficulties refugees face. “The suffer of Cambodian people during the war and Khmer Rouge regime is global issue. It is not only Cambodia’s issue. We can share this suffer to the world.”

She continued that Oxfam choose Cambodia to launch this global campaign because: “Cambodia is special as we have those bitter experience during the war and the killing regime which we can share to the world.”

She continues that this campaign is not only the space to share a tragedy experience but also the place to share stories of hope after the war to hundred thousand of refugee. “The objective of this campaign is very important. We do not want to share our difficulties and tragedy in Cambodia.  We want to share the world the stories of hope from Cambodian around the world who came across life during the war and have now receovered and brought light back to the development of Cambodia.”

Paolo Lubrano is a Regional Humanitarian Manager of Oxfam. He used to go to Syria where there is serious refugee issue. He shared this thought that the participation of Cambodian people in this ‘Jui Knia’ campaign is a moral and legal obligation.

Cambodia and the Phillippines are the two countries in ASEAN who have signed on the UN convension on refugee.

Paolo said the experience of Cambodian people is a lesson for diverse communities: “We met artists in foreign countries who are facing lack of care and away from families and home country. However they turned those suffer into arts, into something beautiful which people admire. This is what this campaign wants to tell. We tell stories of hope, stories of togetherness and not only aboutt he difficult experience and lack of care.”

‘Jui Knia’ campaign will mobilize at least 200 Cambodian stories and collect 10,000 signatures to share to embassies in Cambodia—the target countries of refugees.

In June, this refugees issue will be discussed in International Conference on Refugee in Germany.

Main activities during this camapaign include film screening at Bophana Center, meeting at Politikoffee, the performance by Phare Ponle Selpak in Battambang and Siem Reap province, traditional art performance by Cambodian Living Art6s at the National Museum, shor-video competition, stories sharing and signing the online petition at http://cambodia.oxfam.org/juiknia.




Cambodia start Juiknia campaign to suppor world refugees

Photo: ThmeyThmey News

Oringinal article: ThmeyThmey News

Phnom Penh_Juiknia is a campaign organized to share love, hope and call for support to refugees and migrants around the world. This is the first campaign in Cambodia launched on March 31st. This campaign lasts for 4 weeks.

“Juiknia, Cambodian migration stories of hope” is the name of the new campaign organized by Oxfam. Cambodia is the country that had experienced war and became the first country launching this juiknia campaign.

“This campaign is organized to mobilize support from Cambodian people to share stories of hope of refugees regardless their tendencies or where they are coming from. We came across a bitter experience 40 years a go both a bloody civil war and genocide. No one understand the horrifying violence and persecution than Cambodian.”

Beside sharing Cambodian stories of hope juiknia will send message to world leaders to welcome refugees. Solinn Lim continued that this campaign does not only talk about the difficult experience. The campaign will be a space where people share stories of hope, show their care and compassion of Cambodian refugees. What is more important is that joining us to write a petition to call world leaders to save refugees who are victim of war and conflict.

“This campaign is part of the global campaign. Therefore, it will send a message to leaders around the world to continue to welcome refugees by continueing to open their hearts and homes to refugees. It is just like how they welcome Cambodian who seek for asymlum 40 years a go,” said Solinn Lim.

Today, the world is facing tremedous refugees crisis which we never had before, 65 million people become refugees and have no place to stay because of war and conflict. Moreover, there is also turmoil against refugees in some areas. Some countries close their doors to refugees and migrants.

Cambodia: A country of hope for refugees and migrants

As mentioned earlier Cambodia is the first country to organize this campaign. “This campaign is first organized in Cambodia for a number of reasons. Firstly, Cambodia is one of the least countries who joint UN convensionon on refugees,” said Paolo Lubrano, Regional Humanitarin Manger of Oxfam. “Secondly, it is relevant to bitter experience on refugees Cambodian had. Lastly, Cambodia turns their suffer to possitive story and hope. In short, Cambodia is a country of hope.”

Paolo Lubrano hopes that this campaign will have a participation of 1 million people in 2020 from at least five countries in Asia. What this campaign wants to achieve is the participation in the UN convension on refugees in the region. Besides, this campaign is also organized to get attention from leaders around the worlds to provide asylum, education and protection by law to refugees, migrants and citizen who lost their homes due to conflict and war.

Juiknia campaign is initiated by Oxfam with a duration of 4 weeks starting from March 31st. Several activites will be organized throughout the campaign to inform the public and to ecnourage for their participation. Some activities in partnership with Bophana Center, Politikoffee, Phare Ponleu Selpak and Cambodian Living Arts include film screening on refugees in Syria, music and arts performance.

Tagged with
Juiknia Standasone Hopereturns

Beyond Cambodia: Oxfam’s SfC Program Set to Reach The Region

Beyond Cambodia: Oxfam’s SfC Program Set to Reach The Region
In the middle: Vanndeth Seng, SfC Project Officer, and Lathdavone Lasachak. Lathdavone asked the group about the process of loan disbursement and advantages of being a member of SfC group, Borset district, Kampong Speu province. Photo: Sarah Jane

As Oxfam’s Saving for Change (SfC) program continues to support poverty alleviation in Cambodia, the model is on its way to communities throughout the region, reaching neighbouring countries Laos, Timor-Leste and Myanmar. Seven local Oxfam partners in Cambodia are currently involved in the SfC project which responds in two-year capacity building cycles and in the coming months a pilot project in Laos will be implemented in partnership with Laos Women’s Union.

After completing a year of feasibility studies and translation of the SfC manual, Laos SfC Program Officer Lathdavone Lasachak said the team is looking forward to interpret the SfC manual into the Lao context and pilot a saving model in their target areas to ensurre a sustainable venture for communities in order to increase the  ownership over their finances. However, Lathdavone also highlighted the unforeseen challenges the team expects to  change communities behavior  from the usual saving group model to understand the long term benefits of the innovative SfC structure that encourages further community involvement but requires individual.

Oxfam Cambodia SfC Coordinator, Mr Cheth Phay said the similar context of the communities that have benefited from the project in Cambodia and those expected to receive the training in Laos, encourages an expected optimistic outcome. The SfC model differs from the traditionally grant-driven saving groups, to ensure communities “own” the saving group from the beginning, creating a platform of financial inclusion for the poor and encouraging development of independent financial management skills. “If it is their own money, it is their own power,” Cheth said.

Oxfam Cambodia will support the Laos team with technical support, including methodology training, exposure to successful projects, and visits to ensure the project is implemented as initially planned.  Oxfam team in Laos in partnership with Lao Women Union will then provide a formal training  to partners in Laos to build their capacity  and be able to provide training for the communities in the target areas.

“We are working with the Lao women union  which aimed to pilot  saving for change groups in two target areas  and if those pilot model are functioning, then  we will consider  to integrate this methodology into other Oxfam Laos projects” Lathdavone said.

Oxfam in Cambodia continues to work with local partners and as an extension has been advised of replicate models throughout the country. Oxfam’s commitment to phase out their involvement after two years of providing training to communities makes data on the amount of SfC groups started difficult to obtain, however contact with SfC leaders from communities around Cambodia continues to highlight the extensive reach of the program. The approach has been identified by international NGOs such as Caritas as a vital financial building approach to improve the livelihoods of people living in poverty. In April 2016, Oxfam’s SfC team provided training to Caritas Australia and ten of their partners to share information about the program and the successful outcomes in Cambodia.

“It’s not appropriate only for Laos but this model can apply in everywhere because  It is a sustainable way  for community  to save money on their own, what’s more this methodology also play an important role on encouraging them to be high responsible and  create solidarity among the Lathdavone said. 

Myanmar is the next target demographic for the program, with a field trip from the Oxfam Myanmar team and partners to visit successful projects in Cambodia later this year.

Writen by: Sarah Jane

“We are working with the Lao women union which aimed to pilot saving for change groups in two target areas and if those pilot model are functioning, then we will consider to integrate this methodology into other Oxfam Laos projects”

Lathdavone Lasachak, SfC Program Officer
Oxfam in Laos
Tagged with
SavingForChange

Voices for Change

Oxfam partner, Phare Ponleu Selpak using performance art to promote inclusion of marginalized group in slum area. Photo: PPS

The government and people of Cambodia have experienced considerable gains in development post-conflict achieving an average growth rate of 7.7% over the past two decades. Cambodia has put its effort on the national reform programs including public administration, public financing management with aiming to improving and enhancing public institutional capacity, promoting good governance, and modernizing economic infrastructure to foster economic growth, create jobs for all citizens, ensure social equity, and increase public sector efficiency which is vital for sustainable development and poverty reduction. However, while Cambodia subsequently embraced the SDGs the vast majority of those moving out of poverty remain vulnerable to falling back. Important to note that Cambodia is situated in the most disaster-prone region in the world and is affected by a range of covariate shocks and a huge proportion of Cambodia’s population is vulnerable to these shocks, which are having a direct impact on household incomes, livelihoods, food security and access to social services in Cambodia. Covid19 has significantly and negatively hit to country’s social and economic stability and lead to increased inequality and poverty. Addressing this persistent threat of poverty requires recognition of the changing complexity of the issue, and importantly a shift in focus to counter growing inequity and promote the priority settings needed to allow all Cambodians to participate in the country’s gains in development.

WHAT WE DO

Through Voices for Change program, we believe that sustainable development is achievable when there is a functioning compact between citizens and state which means that a government that is committed to fulfil its responsibilities and the people can hold their government accountable. 

The program focuses on the good governance of fair and accountable fiscal policies, universal social protection policies and better essential services. In addition, it seeks to promote fair workplace settings, decent work and wage opportunities for informal economy workers in particular. It supports women, youth and groups that have been left behind with claiming their rights to organize themselves in networks and coalitions, participate in public debates and discussions, and advocate for equal justice.

OUR FOCUSES

  • Governance of fair and accountable fiscal policies (national revenue, public expenditure, budget transparency and accountability)
  • Social Protection (access to universal social protection, better essential services, and social health protection)
  • Labor protection – (fair workplace and wage opportunities – decent work – decent/living wage)
  • Gender Transformative Social Protection (unpaid and domestic care work, maternity protection, care policy, care economy)
  • Inclusion – Voices of the marginalized groups (access to economic resources, political participation, access to legal protection)
  • Social Accountability and Inclusion
  • Strengthening Civic Space (NGOs governing and civic space related laws and regulations)

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  • More women, youth, marginalize groups including marginalized workers and other citizens are empowered to express their views and demand their rights for responsive and inclusive decision making, policy making and policy implementation which response and address to their strategic and practical needs.
  • Civil society organizations and representatives of the most marginalized and discriminated people are empowered and able to influence for policy, behavior, and practice change (government and private sector).
  • Cambodian government has improved and increased pro-poor public-spending policies and fiscal governance with more investments on gender transformative and shock responsive social protection to better address the needs of communities, especially women and marginalized groups.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

  • Advancement of living wage and labor rights, decent work and protection of both formal and informal workers especially women and youth and the groups who have been left behind. Positively influence policy towards unpaid care work and promotion of gender transformative in labor force
  • Strengthened commitment of the Cambodian government to reduce inequality through progressive revenue mobilization, and equitable redistribution to public services to systematically address the needs of the most marginalized groups
  • Strengthened social accountability framework and linkages to social protection including social assistance, and social insurance schemes and active civic engagement.

TARGET GROUPS AND STAKEHOLDERS

  • The people we work with are the public, formal and informal workers and the most vulnerable and marginalized groups; women and girls facing sexual exploitation and abuse, LGBTQI people, indigenous people, people with disabilities, the elderly and youth.
  • Royal Government of Cambodia, line ministries, local authorities, and subnational administration
  • Private sectors and employers
  • Civil society organizations and development partners

OUR PRIORITIES

Empowering civil society

  • Empower members of the most marginalized groups, supporting initiatives to increase their social status of the most marginalized.
  • Support civil society organizations, unions, women’s organizations, local NGOs s and community leadership, building stronger and wider alliances and networks to reinforce advocacy agendas.
  • Support the development of a wider constituency of marginalized workers and most vulnerable groups
  • Convene civil space for engagement of civil society with government and privates sector actors.
  • Facilitate civil society networks and debriefs in neutral spaces.
  • Support citizen participation in policies discussion and implementation and monitoring.
  • Support civil society with quality and evidence base research and bring innovation
  • Broker partnerships that help civil society, government, and private sector to engage more constructively and effectively
  • Increase public awareness and engagement through social media and public platform

Influencing Government & Private Sector investment & responsiveness

  • Assess/analyses, present and promote policy and policy implementation recommendations including:
     - Social protection related laws, regulations, and mechanisms
     - Public financial management law including domestic revenue mobilization, and public investment .3. unpaid care work to advance gender equity and promote equality
     - Unpaid care work to advance gender equity and promote equality
     - social accountability related framework and mechanisms
  • Facilitate open spaces for constructive dialogue and advocacy for policy influencing between government and civil society organizations and groups
  • Champion citizen participation in multi-stakeholder engagement in relation to fiscal accountability and social investment
  • Strengthening strategic engagement and dialogues with the government agencies, and private sector.

OUR PROJECTS

  1. Building Synergies Between Social Protection and Public Finance Management
  2. Communicating Information on Access to National Social Protection Schemes To All
  3. Fiscal Accountability and Civic Engagement
  4. Fostering an Inclusive and Shock-Responsive Social Protection System in Cambodia (FIRST)
  5. Improved Social Protection and Labour Rights for Women Workers in Cambodia's Agri-Food Sector
  6. Inclusive National Social Protection Initiatives That Response To The Needs of Apparel Industry Employees (INSPIRE)
  7. Piloting Social Protection Into The Implementation of The Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF)
  8. Voice Phase II

KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS

Tagged with
women youth human rights empwerment

Natural Resource Governance

Cambodia is rich in natural resources of land, water, extractives and fisheries, the exploitation of which has underpinned the country’s rapid economic development. However major inequalities and disparities exist between urban – rural, the uber rich, the general population those dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods particularly women. Cambodia’s ecosystems, peoples and economic future are experiencing the increasing impacts of this continuous natural resource exploitation combined with the impacts of climate change and the economic disruption to trade, travel and heath caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is resulting in a disproportionate impact on those who are marginalized from economies, wealth and power including women, youth, and indigenous people who need to be empowered.

The new Natural Resource Governance (NRG) Programme 2022-2027 will guide existing and intended works in Cambodia and align with Oxfam CLV (Cambodia Laos and Vietnam) cluster strategy. NRG programme focuses on supporting natural resource dependent communities -particularly women, youth, and indigenous peoples in rural areas- to be networked, have the capacity to be resilient to and respond to climate change and realise their rights to sustainable livelihoods and development. This will be achieved by facilitating access to and control over the equitable benefits from natural resources -land, water, extractives, forestry, and fisheries.

WHAT WE DO

will support civic society to hold governments and the private sector accountable for their own priorities and regulations, to implement international standards and safeguards, best practices and meet commitments to transparency on their project plans. All the work will be informed by Oxfam’s commitment to safe programming supporting humanitarian response and preparedness, feminist principles and achieving gender justice, women’s rights and the promotion of women’s leadership in Natural Resource Management (NRM). The NRG strategy will be focused on addressing root causes and influencing change that will involve cross-border, up-stream and downstream cooperation at all levels and the mobilization of international interests, affected communities’ knowledge and voice. By building networks and alliances through Oxfam’s natural resource programme work it is anticipated that civic society across Cambodia and the cluster countries including Laos and Vietnam will be more influential on governments and the private sector policies and practices and their security better protected.

OUR OBJECTIVES

  • The rights-based strategy is built around four specific objectives and associated activities for communities, the Government, the private sector and has identified a new focus on the emerging ‘professional or progressive’ citizens who are receptive to new digital and energy technologies and have concerns about the impacts of climate change.
  • Communities including youth and women are empowered to realize their rights to co-manage and challenge decisions regarding the governance of natural resources and have access to justice and their equitable share of benefits
  • The Cambodian Government is more open, inclusive and transparent in its Natural Resource and Climate Change policies, public and private sector contracts and holds itself accountable to comply with its international obligations
  • Private companies are safe, transparent and held accountable in their investment and operations in Cambodia and regionally and their corporate policies include CSR, FPIC and impact on climate.
  • The Public (Cambodian citizens) understands the impact of climate change, growing energy and food security demands on natural resources and calls for and uses technologically smart, community orientated and environmentally friendly solutions.

HOW WE WILL WORK

Informed by Oxfam’s policy principles and a commitment to a rights-based, empowerment approach to development, we will support, strengthen (evidence-based knowledge, skill development and access to wider ‘new’ audiences) and work alongside partners and communities as they adapt and deliver their initiatives and policy influencing. We will increasingly consider climate change and environmental sustainability impacts and support partners and communities to build on opportunities to speak to power, engage in political and policy dialogue and influencing based on their own evidence and experience.

Women’s rights will remain a central focus and we will work to be inclusive by advancing considerations of gender and diversity that includes peoples of diverse sexual and gender identities; marginalized peoples and those who do not share equal rights such as peoples living with disabilities.

Oxfam will invest in robust, relevant and credible research that reflects a fast-changing context and supports informed implementation of international standards and principles, constructive debate and influencing for fair policies and implementation of those policies. We will be an incubator for innovation problem solving and a convenor bringing different and diverse stakeholders together at country and regional level to broker negotiations on the sustainability of natural resources and response to climate change.

We recognise a variety of contexts for our work on natural resources. In some situations, based on our principles, we may stand with people and movements and oppose projects, or contribute good practice suggestions to project development or advocate for benefit sharing or free prior and informed consent rights. Throughout, we will promote policy and practice consistency within Cambodia and across borders, compliance to international best practice environmental and social safeguards, and the recognition of community and indigenous rights.

within Oxfam in Cambodia we will make linkages and leverage between work and partners contributing to other pillars (Voice, WEE, Youth and Gender) and regional and multi-country projects to ensure we are exchanging and drawing in knowledge and expertise to coordinate our approach. As 2022-24 is a transition period for the Cluster Strategy, this internal coordination will increase with colleagues from Laos and Vietnam as the shared programme develops and the country specific work reduces.

WHO WE WILL WORK WITH

The people we work with will be primarily communities vulnerable to environmentally or economically unfair, large-scale investments in markets that exploit natural resources. This is primarily indigenous people, women and youth in poorer farming and natural resource dependent communities, and those communities in the path of dams and irrigation infrastructure, mining projects and large-scale agribusiness. We recognise that indigenous people, women and youth are those most affected by natural resource exploitation and depletion and least included in decision making so we will have a particular focus on supporting their knowledge, skills and inclusion.

also recognize that as responding to climate change becomes a key focus in the CLV Cluster we will be seeking to engage with the emerging salaried class in Phnom Penh who can influence government decision making on environmental issues and energy options.

We will also work with Financial Institutions, Banking Associations for sustainable finance, accountability and transparency to investors and the private sector. These relationships will be shared with the Inclusive Green Economy and Finance team.

OUR PROJECTS

  1. Advancing CSO's Capacity To Enhance Sustainability Solutions
  2. Fair For All-Promote Responsible Agriculture Value Chains
  3. Extractive Industries
  4. Responsible Agriculture Investment in Cambodia
  5. Land Governance and Responsible Agriculture Investment
  6. People Protecting Their Ecosystems in The Lower Mekong Phase III (PEM III)
  7. Inclusive Water Governance-Inclusion Phase II

OUR PARTNERS

There is two regional programs based at Oxfam in Cambodia: Water Governance and Extractive Industries. Below is their partners:

Water Governance Program

Extractive Industries Program

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Civic engagement Environment Mineral

Privacy

Oxfam International respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Notice explains when and how we collect your personal data when you use our website, and the rights you have over your own information.

This Notice applies to the website of Oxfam in Cambodia, however, when you use this site you may be directed to the website of other members of the Oxfam confederation or links to third party websites or applications. These websites will have their own Privacy Notices, which you should also look at.

If you have any questions in relation to this Notice or would like to exercise your rights under it, please contact:

FAO Data Protection Officer for Oxfam International
Oxfam Ireland, 2nd Floor, Portview House, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.
Email address for queries: info@oxfam.org

Information about who we are

Stichting Oxfam International is a Dutch Foundation (registration no.  41159611) with a registered Office at PO Box 30919, 2500 GX The Hague, The Netherlands. Further information, and details of our registration with data protection supervisory authorities are detailed below.

How our website works

We use cookies on our website to collect standard internet log-on information and details of visitor behavior patterns (e.g. to find out the number of visitors to different parts of the site). This enables us to analyse and improve the content of our site and the navigation experience of users. We do not use this information to attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website. For full details of the cookies used on our website, see our Cookies Notice. You can disable or delete some or all cookies in your browser setting, although this may affect some parts of the site’s functionality.

The data we collect about you

There are a number of areas on our website where you may provide personal data to Oxfam in Cambodia, including when you:

  • register for Oxfam email updates
  • sign an Oxfam petition
  • make a donation to Oxfam
  • register to be involved in our campaigns
  • submit an email enquiry
  • apply for an open vacancy

The information we collect will depend on the nature of your action but may include name, email address, telephone number and country.

When will we send you marketing communications?

We will only contact you for marketing purposes (for example keep you up to date on our work based on your previous responses to our campaigns, or let you know of ways in which you can support that work) where we have your consent.

At each place that you provide your personal data on our website, there is an opportunity for you to express your preferences in relation to marketing communications from us. Where you provide your consent to such communications, you can withdraw consent or change your preferences at any time by clicking the unsubscribe button on any marketing communication or by sending an email to Oxfam in Cambodia expressing your preferences.

We will generally treat any marketing consent you give us as lasting for 5 years, as we have found our supporters may get involved with different campaigns at different points over this period of time.
We never sell or share your information with entities outside Oxfam for their marketing purposes.

Links to other Oxfam websites

For some actions that you may like to take when visiting our website, you will be redirected to another Oxfam website, including coalition ones. In these cases, that entity will collect your data rather than Oxfam in Cambodia, and you should look at their Privacy Notice to understand how they will use your data, and your rights. This includes where:

  • you make a donation;
  • register to participate in an event;
  • sign up a petition;
  • apply for employment or to be a volunteer; or
  • register to participate in a local campaign.


Who might we share your information with

We may share your information with other members of the Oxfam confederation. We may also share your information with third parties who process data on our behalf, but only where we place obligations on them in relation to the security of the data and require them to use the data only as we instruct.

International transfers of data

In some cases, we may transfer your personal data to members of the Oxfam confederation and third-party service providers who are located outside your jurisdiction.
If you are in the European Union, and your personal data is transferred to an Oxfam Affiliate or third-party service provider outside the European Economic Area (EEA), this will occur under a safeguard mechanism recognized by the European Commission as providing adequate protection for your personal data.  Transfers to Oxfam Affiliates will occur under the EC’s model data protection clauses.  You may ask to see a copy of these clauses. Transfers of your data to other third parties outside the EEA, or to third parties outside any other jurisdiction in which you are located, will occur in accordance with local data protection laws.

Your data and social media

This section refers to the ability for you to like, re-tweet, share, etc. Oxfam International content on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Additionally, when using our website, you can link through to such social media sites. When you do this, depending on your privacy settings, these networks will adjust their marketing to show you more Oxfam and/or Oxfam-type content.  To change your settings on these services, please refer to their privacy notices, which will tell you how to do this.

Oxfam and social media

Many social media sites provide, or permit, tools that aggregate and highlight content that appears on their site. Oxfam uses such tools to analyse and assess the success of Oxfam campaigns and communications, the level of interest in issues Oxfam cares about, and the level of social media activity resulting from media stories about Oxfam or Oxfam/NGO activities. We use the native reporting tools of the social media networks, but may also use third-party tools.  Oxfam uses such tools to respond directly to other users’ queries and comments related to Oxfam.

Children’s data

Our website is not intended for use by children and we do not knowingly collect data on children.

How do we protect your data

We ensure that there are appropriate technical controls in place to protect your personal details. For example, our online forms are always encrypted and our network is protected and routinely monitored.
We undertake regular reviews of who has access to information that we hold to ensure that your information is only accessible by appropriately trained staff, volunteers and contractors.
Where we use external companies to collect or process personal data on our behalf, we put a contract in place that sets out our expectations and requirements in relation to security of the data they access or process.  These organizations - referred to as "Data Processors" also have legal liability for the way in which your data is used, providing you with additional protection.

How long do we keep your data

We will only retain the data you provide to us through our website for as long as required by applicable laws or as is necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and in accordance with any consents provided. We will delete personal data at the end of this period unless we wish to use it for statistical purposes, in which case we will anonymise it, such that you could never be re-identified with it.

Your rights

You have the right to request details of the information we hold about you. If you would like a copy of some or all of your personal information, please make a request to our Data Protection officer at the details provided below. We will provide this information to you without charge, unless requests are manifestly unfounded, repetitive or excessive, in which case we are entitled to charge an administration fee.

You also have a right to have inaccurate information we hold about you rectified or removed and a right, in some circumstances, to restrict or object to us processing your information, or to seek erasure of your data. If you believe we are not respecting your rights, you are entitled to make a complaint to a relevant supervisory authority.

The legal basis on which we hold and use your data will vary depending on the activity involved. In some cases, we might hold the data because it is needed to fulfil a contract or meet our legal obligations (i.e. a donation), in others because it is in Oxfam’s legitimate interest to do so, and in others, because you have consented to this use. We note that the legal basis on which we process your data will influence your specific rights.

Changes to this notice

We may make changes to this notice from time to time. We will always detail, at the end of this notice, the date it was last updated and you should check back from time to time.

Data Controller postal address and data privacy registration details:

Oxfam International Secretariat
Oxfam House
John Smith Drive
Oxford OX4 2JY
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 1865 339 100
Fax: +44 (0) 1865 330 101
Email: info@oxfaminternational.org
ICO Registration Number (UK): Z8133290
 

Together We can Make It Happen

Climate Change Matters

In Cambodia, around 80% of the population live in rural areas and more than 70% rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The agricultural sector accounts for roughly 35% of the GDP and employs a large majority of the population. Food and agriculture sector are affected in a major way by systematic and natural factors.  Systemic factors include the socio-political dynamics that lead to land and water grabs. Natural factors include the climatic variations that compound existing problems in the food and agriculture sector.

Wild weather and unpredictable seasons are changing what farmers can grow and are making people hungry. Food prices are going up while food quality is going down. Soon, climate change will affect what all of us can eat. More extreme weather and more disasters mean more hunger.

How we campaign

Oxfam campaigns side-by-side through our local partners with our supporters through on and off line tools designed to change behaviour and bad policy and practice. We use digital tools to mobilize supporters, raise awareness and call for joint action. Through campaigning, we promote the rights of local people, mitigate negative impacts of private investment and promote socially and environmentally responsible business practices. So far, we support the international campaign team on GROW, Event It Up and the Violent Against Women campaign.

Tagged with
GROW Even It Up Violence Against Women Displacement

Share Our Message

Thea Bou standing in front of Solar Irrigation System in Kandieng district which is managed and operated by the local communities.

Join us to fight poverty and injustice by sharing our stories, images, videos and publications. You can tweet and share our posts on Twitter and Facebook with your friends, family and network. 

You can find the links to our pages on social media here:

Facebook  X  YouTube

If you do not access to the pages above, you can also share what we do via email by simply clicking on the email icon.

We hope that our social media and website provide a platform where you can get the information you need, share your thoughts, provoke discussion, engage others and encourage more learning.  Your support means a lot to us and helps us to achieve our goal of creating more space in society where the poorest people can share their concerns, express their thoughts and can create better livelihoods for themselves.

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Goal, Mission and vision

Our goal

Our purpose is to help create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty. We are part of a global movement for change, empowering people to create a future that is secure, just, and free from poverty.

Our mission

We use a combination of rights-based sustainable development and influencing approach to realise our vision through the promotion and protection of human rights, building community resilience, and responsible management of natural resources.

Our vision

Our vision is to help build a resilient society free from poverty and injustice.

 

Tagged with
poverty human rights injustice

Accountability

Accountability

Oxfam in Cambodia is registered under one name, Oxfam Novib, who is responsible for the systems and services every organization needs to operate. We are committed to being open about our work and to being accountable to the communities we work with, our partner organizations and to our donors and supporters. Moreover all our work is regularly audited (including the work we do together with partner organizations).

Oxfam’s financial year runs from 1 April – 31 March.

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Transparency
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