Cambodian Institute for Democracy

The Human Rights Academy is a key component of CID’s 2EP-HRD project. Ideally, the academy is conducted in a hybrid format, combining online and in-person training along with field study. It consists of ten modules and provides six months of continuous training with a specific focus on human rights and democracy. However, CID had a similar training experience last year in partnership with Transparency International Cambodia, and we learned that the previous format was resource-intensive and time-consuming. As a result, the CID-Human Rights Academy 2024 will be condensed into a five-day intensive training program that includes travel days.

The Human Rights Academy serves as a capacity-building training platform in Cambodia for youth, civil society organization (CSO) workers, teacher trainees, students, teachers, researchers, and anyone interested in learning about and promoting human rights and democracy. The program offers knowledge-sharing sessions and skills development workshops, facilitated by experienced Cambodian and foreign experts and scholars.

From June 14-18, 2024, the Cambodian Institute for Democracy (CID) organized the Human Rights Academy with 61 youths, 33 of whom were female, from 20 provinces and cities of Cambodia, in Preah Sihanouk Province. The main objectives of this academy are 1) to enhance youths’ understanding of fundamental and international human rights; 2) to empower young people with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to promote and protect human rights and democracy; 3) to provide a platform for young people to share ideas and experiences regarding human rights challenges and democracy in their communities; and 4) to promote youth engagement in civic activities and political participation.

Day 1 (14 June 2024)

Opening Remarks: PA Chanrouen, the President of CID, gave a warm welcome speech to the participants, introduced the organizing committee, and outlined the objectives of the academy. Additionally, he shared his inspiring personal story and encouraged them to take full advantage of this learning opportunity. Finally, he expressed his gratitude to all the participants and organizers who made the camp possible, with the generous support of the American people through USAID Cambodia.

Following the remarks, CID’s Program Coordinator provided an orientation about the youth initiative project, which participants are required to present at the end of the academy. He walked through the necessary documents, including the request letter, template for the proposal, and budget plan, while also answering questions from the participants.

Right after the orientation, PA Chanrouen introduced the guest speaker for the afternoon session, Dr. Lao Monghay, an Independent Analyst and former Human Rights Defender. His session focused on the History of Human Rights in Cambodia, where participants learned how the concept of human rights was introduced to Cambodian society and enshrined in its institutions, covering the period from 1947 to 1993.

Day 2 (15 June 2024)

On the second day of the academy, participants learned about the Fundamentals of Human Rights, led by Mr. Am Sam Ath, Director of Operations at LICADO. This was followed by another session on International Human Rights Frameworks and their application to Cambodia, along with a group discussion on real case studies of human rights violations in Cambodia. The discussion guided participants to apply relevant laws to defend and challenge the cases, with one group acting as the UN Human Rights Group and another simulating the human rights group of the Royal Government of Cambodia. This session was instructed by Mr. Duch Piseth, a lawyer and former OHCHR staff member.

Day 3 (16 June 2024)

On the third day of the Academy, participants learned about the experiences of a young human rights defender, shared by Miss Ly Sreysrors, president of The Young Analysts, and Mr. Heng Kimhong, president of the Cambodia Youth Network. They also explored Digital Rights, Media, and Democracy in Cambodia, presented by Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute of Democracy (CID). In the afternoon, the Academy focused on Understanding Civil and Political Rights, led by Mr. Ros Sotha, Executive Director of CHRAC.

Day 4 (17 June 2024)

On the fourth day of the Academy, participants learned about Human Rights and Thematic Issues. Topics covered included Human Rights and Development, Business and Human Rights, and Environment and Human Rights, with lectures by Mr. Meas Nee, an Independent Researcher. This was followed by a panel discussion on Promoting and Advocating for Human Rights in Cambodia, featuring H.E. Sreang Chenda, a member of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee; Dr. Meas Nee, Independent Researcher, and Mr. Ros Sotha, Executive Director of CHRAC. The session was moderated by Pa Chanroeun, President of the Cambodian Institute of Democracy (CID). In the afternoon, participants presented their initiative projects, followed by a certificate handover, a solidarity dinner, and a closing ceremony.

Day 5 (18 June 2024)

After breakfast, the youth packed their belongings and departed the hotel to explore Sihanouk Province before heading back to Phnom Penh.