"My Generation's Role in Developing a Cambodian Society Fair to All"

Sovan Srun

In the third world youth congress in Scotland in 2005, the then UN general-secretary Kofi Annan said "Young people are the most precious sources our planet possesses". This wise saying of him indeed bears a very deep meaning. One popular slogan concerning the youth's role in the society? Youth is the main pillar of the nation?also implies the same meaning. Youth are enthusiastic and energetic. They are quick and willing to adapt to new environment, thus able to make a better change in the society. Yet, today youth, Cambodian youth specifically, do not recognize their potential. Instead of seeing themselves as a changing agent, youth look upon themselves as the one who wait for changes to be made in their society. Just as the late US president John F. Kennedy remarked "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country", youth, which comprised of people age between 18-25 years old, can actually be an asset to the society themselves. In developing the society, it does not need to be the tasks of the elders or country's leaders; in fact, youth plays very important roles in developing Cambodia, the country who just emerged from the darkness of 1970s. This essay will draw some guidelines on how Cambodian youth can do to contribute to developing a Cambodian society fair to all. It will also demonstrate some of my youthful experiences and those of other youth from whom I have learnt.

First of all, for the sake of country development, youth should go to as well as encourage their peers to go to the poll this coming July. This is the very step for people from my generation to fulfill their obligations as Cambodian citizens. Most of the time, young people are often discouraged by their older relatives and neighbours from going to vote in the commune and/or national election. Generally, regardless of our eligibility to vote, adults look upon the teenagers as someone inferior to them and incapable in making an accurate decision on who should lead the country. My older relatives often say this to me: "Politics has no place for young people like you. So it is a waste of time for you to vote in the election. You should concentrate on your study instead." This experience of mine, I believe, is not new to many other people from my generation. However, not many do really understand the magnitude of youth's voices, who account for more than half of the country's population, in choosing the right representatives to lead the country. In fact, from observation and social communication, many young people are fully aware of the current situation of Cambodia which makes them completely capable of choosing the right leaders.

In Cambodian society, people at my age are considered to be troublesome or burden to their families. This mindset has long been deterring young people to publicly involve in decision-makings or when it is concerning addressing social problems and their solutions. Actually, young people hold a great deal of interests in social issues. They have many practical ideas on how to solve social problems. What really matters is that they are not given chance to publicly voice their opinions. Now it is time for young people to overcome this barrier, to proudly but respectfully ventilate their beliefs, their perspectives. Through my experience, this can be done through participations in media discussions, essay competitions, or even by making use of today advanced technologies? online, bloggings and forums. I have once participated in a local women's radio talk show on topic concerning HIV/AIDS. From this program, not only was I able to show my concern for HIV/AIDS and its effects on teenagers, females in particular, but I also was able to demonstrate some practicable preventions of those social problems. Since then, I have built up my confidence in public speaking as well as in addressing my viewpoints amongs t the crowds. Moreover, since commencing university, I have joined my school debate club, so that I have more chance to express my opinions and beliefs as well as to discuss with other members ways to tackle problems in our society. Doing so, I have partly done my role to develop Cambodian society in spite of my young age, little experience or the fact that I am female.

Also, in order to develop our society fair to all, it is essential for youth to take active roles in anti-corruption campaign. For decades, Cambodia has been trying hard to fight against poverty. However, a society in which corruption deeply roots almost everywhere ranging from roads and educational institutions to public and private workplaces, Cambodia would not be able to enjoy much social growth since many resources that can contribute to the country's development are given away to corruption committed by a minority of selfish people. Again, youth can start making a difference of this common but devastated norm. Youth can be a role model for others by "Saying No to Corruption". Whether it is to pass the examination or to get a well-paid job, you must deny all bribery. If everyone cooperates, I believe that corruption will eventually be eradicated from Cambodian society.

Probably, the most important role of young people like me is concerning volunteerism. I have always treasured this saying of wisdom of our world hero, Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change that you would like to see in the world." As the main human resource of the country, youth can initiate or do many things that help convert our ailing society to a better one. To my own experience, to get involved in community development, it does not have to be something grand or ideal. We can start with a very small but meaningful commitment. Since high school, I have participated in several social activities such as the dissemination of Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs), drugs, and children exploitation in sexual work. Moreover, with a local non-government organization, I have also helped collect and distribute stationary to children in remote areas. Currently, I have helped organize a party for the International Children's day for some 120 children in a province bordered to Vietnam. So far, what I have been doing is not any kind of big events/things; nonetheless, I have at least to some extent taken my role as a Cambodian youth and done something beneficial to the society. It is my early step in involving with community service. In fact, I have now started to do something bigger. With other 4 female volunteers at the Initiatives of Change Association, for the first time of my life, I have taken a role of leadership to organize a youth camp this coming October in Preah Vihear, a province famous for its Preah Vihear Temple. With willingness, I believe I have taken my role as a young citizen of Cambodia for the sake of social welfare.

Volunteerism, if whole-heartedly done, would become a great aspiration for other people. Hence, one youth can be a sheer inspirational agent for others. When this ideal of volunteerism is spread, our society would consist of enthusiastic, energetic, inspirational human resource. This is undoubtedly the case of a university lecturer of mine. In fulfilling his role a young Cambodian, he has been involving and initiating many projects, especially to benefit the poor and unfortunate children alike. He has done and made so many achievements for the society that many students including me in my school takes him as a mentor and are trying to follow his model. On youth's engagement in community service he said "I believe that a better and more peaceful world is not too far ahead of us, if each and every one of us stand up and fight for it. I also believe that we are like snow flakes, unique, and thus have a special gift that we can offer to our community, society, and country."

In conclusion, there are many things people from my generation can do to ensure the development of Cambodian society. Young people should fill their obligations as Cambodian citizens by going to vote in the elections, confidently demonstrating their beliefs for social development, participating in anti-corruption campaign, and committing themselves to community service. However, only male can greatly benefit from social development if everything is done by man only. That is to develop Cambodian society "fair to all", participations from party, male and female, are needed. Indeed, we need to minimize unequal gender's gap in our male-dominant society. To do this, male teenagers should give more opportunity and show more respects to their female acquaintance while woman should find their confidence and actively participate in social activities.