“The objective of today’s event is to promote the rights of the indigenous people through public awareness and to raise the understanding of the people about the culture and the issues facing the indigenous people in Cambodia,” Ms. Prak Chan Sokha, Deputy Governor of Preah Sihanouk province, said in her remarks at the event on August 9.
On the day, similar events were also held in Stung Treng and Preah Vihear provinces, as part of the global celebration of International Day of World’s Indigenous People.
In Preah Sihanouk province, the participants included students, government officials and representatives of indigenous communities. They tried to draw more attention from the government in recognizing and respecting the communities in accordance with the principle of advanced, free consent by the communities prior to development programmes being operated in indigenous communities.
This year's theme aims to highlight the need for preservation of indigenous land and culture, including their art and intellectual property. The international observance provided the opportunity for indigenous communities in Cambodia to show the heritage of their identities, cultures, traditions, customs, arts, tools or materials in their daily lives.
“The theme of this year events is very important in helping to promote the rights of the indigenous people and public awareness about them. All of us should remember that the indigenous people look just like us. They enjoy the rights and dignity like everyone else,” said Mr. Nein Malai, Director of the Provincial Department of Rural Development.
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Participants listen to the speakers during the event.
(UNDP/Angelique Reid)
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In attendance and very active in the event was 28-year-old Pheap Sochea, a representative from Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association who said: “In Cambodia, education about indigenous people is still very limited. We need the public to know more about us, especially if we want policy makers and policy enforcement to take action together.”
Whilst the country’s majority of ethnic Khmer account for approximately 90 percent of the population, research suggests that the number of indigenous people in Cambodia could be around 190,000 or 1.5 percent. The term ‘highlanders’ is often used to describe indigenous people because most of the populations live in four northeastern provinces of Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng and Kratie, which are considered upland areas.
Historically, the Cambodian indigenous people have a strongly link with the natural forest that surrounds their communities. They are among Cambodia’s poorest people and depend on it for non-timber forest resources to support for their livelihoods. But in recent years, their way of life has come under increasing pressure coming, in particular, from land concession for economic development.
“We do not want to see a situation where the indigenous people live without land or forests to support their lives. Although we need development, we must also pay attention to conservation which is also important for them,” Mr. Nein Malai said.
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Indigenous handicraft items are displayed
for sale at the trade fair.
(UNDP/Angelique Reid) |
In her remarks at the event, Ms. Prak Chan Sokha, the provincial deputy governor, spoke about the efforts taken by the government to address issues concerning the indigenous communities in the country.
She said the efforts include introducing a national policy on development of indigenous people. “The aim of the policy is to assist all indigenous people to improve their livelihoods and to be free from hunger and poverty,” she added.
Included in the all-day festivities were various indigenous dances, rituals and speeches from representatives of non-governmental organizations, indigenous groups and government officials. The festivities, later in the day, were followed by a trade fair showcasing handicrafts made by the indigenous people. Some of their products received support from the Creative Industries Support Programme, an initiative between United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the International Labour Office (ILO) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). The programme works to preserve and promote Cambodia’s cultural heritage and support the livelihood of more than 800 indigenous and Khmer artisans in the provinces of Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was created by the United Nations in 1994 to further strengthen international cooperation in solving the problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as human rights, environment, development, education and health.
Representatives of Cambodian indigenous groups lead the march in celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.
(UNDP/Sanghak Kan)
