Author: Raksmey Hong
In a modest home nestled in the lush landscapes of Takeo province’s Bati district, a group of American Peace Corps volunteers are forging deep connections with their Cambodian host families. Katheryn Potts, one of the newest volunteers, recalls her first day, arriving in Phnom Penh with wide eyes, excited and ready to work. “Every day, we learned the Khmer language and teaching methods, but our true learning happened at home, where we spent time with our Cambodian families,” she says, speaking in Khmer. “My host mother would always call me to eat together, and we shared laughter and stories around…
The ASEAN member states are taking steps toward regulating artificial intelligence (AI) across the region, as highlighted during a consultative workshop, held in Phnom Penh this evening, October 17. The workshop, themed “Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics – Generative AI,” gathered representatives from the 10 ASEAN countries. Khov Makara, secretary of state of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, addressed the gathered participants. He explained that the event was the result of a unanimous decision by the AI Governance and Ethics Working Group under the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials Mechanism (ADGSOM). Cambodia, through the ministry, is embracing…
Cambodia’s economic outlook for 2024 continues to show promise, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast at 6.0%, a slight increase from 2023’s 5.8%, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024 report. This growth, primarily driven by industrial performance and a steady recovery in the services sector, places Cambodia in a favourable position relative to some of its regional neighbours, though it still faces significant challenges. According to Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director Jyotsana Varma, quoted on ADB’s website, “the rebound in the manufacturing sector – especially garments, footwear and travel goods [GFT] – is powering the…
Renowned international choir, Musica Felice, is back to light up the stage with their 13th Charity Concert, “Music & Soul,” scheduled for this Sunday, October 20. This much-loved musical event has become a highlight of Phnom Penh’s cultural scene, drawing together music lovers from across the city. This year’s concert promises a dynamic blend of songs, ranging from timeless classics by Édith Piaf to modern hits from Alicia Keys, with a few surprises to keep the audience captivated. Adding to the excitement is a live performance of scenes from the iconic movie and musical Dreamgirls, brought to life by a…
Cambodia is ramping up its efforts to prevent the deadly spread of rabies with a mass vaccination campaign targeting dogs across Phnom Penh and the provinces of Kandal and Battambang. From October 21 to November 1, teams will provide free rabies vaccinations as part of an initiative to protect both humans and animals from the fatal disease. With approximately 600,000 people bitten by dogs every year in Cambodia, rabies continues to pose a serious public health threat, especially as the disease is always fatal once symptoms appear. “It is a matter of concern and a priority both regionally and globally…
In the face of rising adolescent pregnancies and sexual health challenges, public awareness initiatives are becoming more critical than ever. During the October 14 “Let’s Talk Sexual and Reproductive Health” event, held in Phnom Penh, DKT International, a non-profit organisation which provides family planning products, reinforced its commitment to addressing these issues among young people. DKT International, founded in 1989, uses social marketing to tackle global health concerns such as family planning, HIV prevention and access to safe reproductive medicine and treatment. Through their programmes – in over 30 countries, including the newly launched DKT Mekong – the organisation aims…
A recent recommendation from the Ministry of Information urging provincial departments to monitor and control public sentiment, particularly on social media, has raised concerns about whether the primary intent is to maintain stability or stifle local opinions. The guidline, aimed at understanding community concerns and shaping public opinion, is seen by some as a double-edged sword that may unintentionally – or even deliberately – suppress criticism under the guise of maintaining peace. Ministry spokesman Tep Asnarith spoke about the recommendation during a meeting with the Kampong Thom provincial information department on October 11. He emphasised the growing role of the…