Cambodian youth speak up about climate change on UN Day against poverty
Cambodian youth rally their peers to stand up against poverty, tackle climate change
SIEM REAP, 17 October 2009: About 700 young Cambodians are expected to come together with one voice to “Stand Up against Poverty” at a youth-led event marking the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty today. Under the theme “Cambodia Millennium Development Goals and Climate Change Matter to Us”, the day aims to raise awareness on how addressing climate change can contribute to poverty reduction.
The event’s organizers, who are part of the Young Professional Officer programme at UNDP Cambodia (which provides on-the-job training for talented young Cambodian recent post graduates), aim to inspire the event’s participants – their peers – to get involved in Cambodia’s efforts to tackle the threat to the socio-economic development of the country that is posed by climate change. Their message is that this threat is very real – especially for young Cambodians, who make up more than half of the country’s population.
“Part of the responsibility of addressing the impact of climate change will be on the shoulders of youth and of young generations to come. Ensuring that young people realize the threat now can help lead to more action in the future, minimizing the negative impact of climate change and reducing poverty,” said Sochenda Mong, a UNDP Young Professional Officer.
The day-long seminar will cover issues such as the impact of climate change on poverty and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); youth’s role to help fighting climate change and poverty; and the current status of Cambodia MDGs. The event was completely designed by young people, for young people. The occasion of so many young Siem Reap residents gathering to have their voices heard bears a special significance to the event’s organisers.
“With its Angkorean temples and abundant natural environment, Siem Reap is Cambodia’s most well-known tourist destination. Yet it is the country’s second poorest province. Its residents, mostly poor and vulnerable farmers, depend mainly on the traditional agricultural sector, while others work in construction and tourism. All industries stand to be affected by climate change. Through this event, we hope to raise awareness of link between recent catastrophes - flooding and storms – and their everyday livelihoods,” said UNDP YPO Sovityea Kao, who is originally from Siem Reap province.
At 9:30 am, all participants gather outside to “Stand Up Against Poverty”, to voice their support to reducing poverty in Cambodia and to sign the “Seal the Deal” petition. This is a UN-led campaign to urge country leaders, who will meet at the UN-led climate change global conference in Copenhagen in December, to commit to an ambitious but achievable common agreement on key climate change issues.
“This event on International Poverty Day will serve as a starting-point where we all can make our voices and worries heard nationwide as well as to the world. I will guide other young people on how to Seal the Deal to press world leaders to take action against climate change,” said Leang Ang Tha, another UNDP YPO.
The topic of climate change is timely, given that the First National Forum on Climate Change will be held in Phnom Penh on 19-21 October. The Forum will discuss challenges and opportunities posed by climate change for Cambodia. Aligning with the key issues that will be raised at the forum, today’s event brings the most current issues on the climate change agenda to young Cambodians.
The gathering in Siem Reap is in support of the international UN day’s aim to “Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty” around the world. Last year, more than 116 million people globally Stood Up and Took Action to end poverty in support of MDGs – a set of promises to eradicate extreme poverty and its root causes by 2015. This week, millions of citizens across the globe will again gather in similar activities to demand that world leaders achieve those goals.
For further information please contact: Aimee Brown: 012 760 513, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ker Munthit: 011 905 261, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The event’s organizers, who are part of the Young Professional Officer programme at UNDP Cambodia (which provides on-the-job training for talented young Cambodian recent post graduates), aim to inspire the event’s participants – their peers – to get involved in Cambodia’s efforts to tackle the threat to the socio-economic development of the country that is posed by climate change. Their message is that this threat is very real – especially for young Cambodians, who make up more than half of the country’s population.
“Part of the responsibility of addressing the impact of climate change will be on the shoulders of youth and of young generations to come. Ensuring that young people realize the threat now can help lead to more action in the future, minimizing the negative impact of climate change and reducing poverty,” said Sochenda Mong, a UNDP Young Professional Officer.
The day-long seminar will cover issues such as the impact of climate change on poverty and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); youth’s role to help fighting climate change and poverty; and the current status of Cambodia MDGs. The event was completely designed by young people, for young people. The occasion of so many young Siem Reap residents gathering to have their voices heard bears a special significance to the event’s organisers.
“With its Angkorean temples and abundant natural environment, Siem Reap is Cambodia’s most well-known tourist destination. Yet it is the country’s second poorest province. Its residents, mostly poor and vulnerable farmers, depend mainly on the traditional agricultural sector, while others work in construction and tourism. All industries stand to be affected by climate change. Through this event, we hope to raise awareness of link between recent catastrophes - flooding and storms – and their everyday livelihoods,” said UNDP YPO Sovityea Kao, who is originally from Siem Reap province.
At 9:30 am, all participants gather outside to “Stand Up Against Poverty”, to voice their support to reducing poverty in Cambodia and to sign the “Seal the Deal” petition. This is a UN-led campaign to urge country leaders, who will meet at the UN-led climate change global conference in Copenhagen in December, to commit to an ambitious but achievable common agreement on key climate change issues.
“This event on International Poverty Day will serve as a starting-point where we all can make our voices and worries heard nationwide as well as to the world. I will guide other young people on how to Seal the Deal to press world leaders to take action against climate change,” said Leang Ang Tha, another UNDP YPO.
The topic of climate change is timely, given that the First National Forum on Climate Change will be held in Phnom Penh on 19-21 October. The Forum will discuss challenges and opportunities posed by climate change for Cambodia. Aligning with the key issues that will be raised at the forum, today’s event brings the most current issues on the climate change agenda to young Cambodians.
The gathering in Siem Reap is in support of the international UN day’s aim to “Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty” around the world. Last year, more than 116 million people globally Stood Up and Took Action to end poverty in support of MDGs – a set of promises to eradicate extreme poverty and its root causes by 2015. This week, millions of citizens across the globe will again gather in similar activities to demand that world leaders achieve those goals.
For further information please contact: Aimee Brown: 012 760 513, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ker Munthit: 011 905 261, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Related topics: Poverty Reduction
Last updated: 20 August 2010
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