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Roles of Youths in Community Development and Decentralization

In response to the invitation by Girl Guide Association for Cambodia (GGAC), two Heifer Cambodia staff were assigned to attend a forum on “Roles of Youths in Community Development and Decentralizatio”, which was held in O’Sngoeun Village, Nheng Nhorng Commune, Trang District, Takeo Province, on February 15. More than 50 people participating in the forum included members of the GGAC, youths and villagers, Commune Councilors, Village Chiefs, representatives from other organizations, and donors. The purpose of the forum was to provide opportunities to the youths, in particular, the members of the GGAC, and people in implementing democracy through exchange end expression of ideas and experiences, with Commune Council and relevant specialists to identify issues and seek feasible solutions. A main topic raised for discussion in the forum was the youths’ roles in community development and their understanding about rights and tasks of people who play key roles in decentralization and democracy in commune development. The forum also encouraged people to form self help group (SHG), saving scheme, and rice bank to develop their local resource base for sustainable and holistic development of their community in the future. However, the SHG formation needs human resources, fund, spirituality and full participation. For effective implementation of decentralization, the youths requested the Commune Council to allow them to attend communal meeting including the meeting on commune development plan (CDP) in order that they can conduct their activities and raise budget in the CDP to support the activities. Domestic violence and drugs were also raised for discussion. Therefore, the youths play the role in reinforcing and mainstreaming the laws to villagers for understanding and application. The youths also inspired villagers to think of their health through clean village, hygiene, latrine and clean water. During the meeting, Heifer Cambodia representatives introduced Heifer’s vision and mission in community development to the participants. Heifer uses valued-base holistic community development approach by encouraging people to work together to develop their community. At the same time, Heifer provides livestock and trainings to poor people for using them as a tool to combat poverty and hunger and tostrengthen their community through passing on the gifts. In response to the youths’ request for their capacity building, Heifer Cambodia will consider the assistance in providing them appropriate life skill and vocational trainings because the youths have their own handicraft and need more skills to improve the products.

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