Cambodia spearheads ASEAN youth initiative, disaster preparedness

CAMBODIA is taking the lead in hosting this year’s ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme, according to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Themed “Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness,” the programme will run from January 9 to 30.

Ministry spokesperson Khuon Vicheka shared on January 7 that the volunteer project, spanning eight regional countries, designates Cambodia as this year’s inaugural host. The nation, he noted, takes the lead in launching this impactful project among the participating countries.

“The programme aims to provide ASEAN youth a deeper understanding of member states, particularly in terms of society and culture,” she said.

Vicheka noted that the project aims to foster community awareness and encourage youth sharing through volunteer activities focused on disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“We eagerly look forward to welcoming the 10 young volunteers from ASEAN member countries,” she said, adding that the project will also address key topics such as education and training in the health sector, community development, climate change and entrepreneurship.

On January 6, the group’s social media shared insights from young ASEAN volunteers, featuring Pariyakorn Suwan from Thailand. He expressed readiness to bridge cultures and tackle challenges during the 22-day volunteer project in Cambodia.

He mentioned that inequality in Thailand’s rural areas motivated him to seek more opportunities for a better quality of life, ensuring that children in the area have access to good education.

“My ultimate goal is to empower young voices, turning them into a tangible force capable of initiating positive changes within countries and making meaningful contributions at the international level,” he said.

Jia Min Heng, a young volunteer from Singapore, also expressed her eagerness and excitement about the project in Cambodia.

“For me, meaningful community volunteering involves capitalising on the strengths and aspirations of the communities, rather than imposing my own idea of what is good on someone else,” she said.

Min Heng looks forward to exploring the lives and aspirations of the communities with other programme participants.