Reflecting on the Khmer New Year

Published: 11-Apr-15 08:52AM | By William E. Todd

Suor Sdei Chhnam Thmey!  The time has come to once again welcome the Khmer New Year.  As we celebrate the occasion, I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous Year of the Goat.  This will be the third Khmer New Year during which I have had the honor and privilege to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia.  In that time, I have learned much from the Cambodian people about the customs and activities taking place during this time of year.  This is probably the reason that I have had many people ask me during the last couple of weeks, “What do you plan to do to celebrate Khmer New Year?”

Last week, I was delighted to participate in the annual Khmer New Year festival that was organized by Cambodian staff members on our team at the U.S. Embassy.  It was a joyful occasion for Cambodians and Americans alike to connect and enjoy traditional Khmer culture, games, food, and dance.  Since our Embassy and a number of other Phnom Penh locations will be closed during the three days of the Khmer New Year celebration, like many Cambodians I have decided to travel and spend some quality time with my family and friends.  But I also appreciate the fact that Khmer New Year – historically celebrated at the end of Cambodia’s harvest season when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor – gives us the chance to count our blessings and renew our hope for the future.  It is a time of reflection; and speaking with several Cambodians about a variety of recent events that could have an impact on Cambodia’s future, it is clear that there are a number of significant developments that provide us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect.

The Prime Minister recently announced that the Royal Government hopes to pass a draft Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as early as next month.  The contentious draft law would set conditions for the formation of NGOs, require organizations to register with the government in order to legally operate, and establish rules for annual reporting on NGO activities and finances.  Regulations for NGOs are not exclusive to Cambodia; in fact, civil society organizations in the United States must also abide by registration and other requirements in accordance with the laws of the states in which they operate.  However, U.S. regulations that impact civil society organizations are designed to facilitate and support – not to discourage – the formation and operations of NGOs.The Prime Minister has stated that the draft law is focused on ensuring transparency and would not hinder NGOs that are legally operating in Cambodia.I continue to share the concerns that members of Cambodia’s civil society have regarding the draft NGO law and hope that freedoms of assembly and expression will be honored.  It is my sincere hope that this legislation will encourage and facilitate NGOs in the important work that they do, continuing Cambodia’s wise policy that has allowed civil society to grow and contribute to the country’s development.

Since Khmer New Year is also a time for renewal, I am reminded of conversations that I have shared with Cambodians regarding the latest efforts to establish the new National Election Committee (NEC).  With the ruling and opposition parties choosing to move forward with the selection of nine members – four representing the Cambodian People’s Party, four representing the Cambodia National Rescue Party, and one “neutral” member – from a shortlist of 24 applicants, the National Assembly gathered before the start of the Khmer New Year to finalize the selection of the new NEC.  The selection of the new NEC gives that body’s members a chance to move forward and demonstrate a commitment to reform by addressing irregularities that have been identified in past elections.  To that end, it would be a positive development to engage civil society stakeholders in the process of formulating workable solutions to address the concerns before the next election.

The Year of the Goat is also “the Year of ASEAN Integration.”  It is coming soon and although its effects might not be felt immediately, the ASEAN Economic Community is expected to have a positive impact on business development and economics in the region.  From its onset, the ASEAN Economic Community will present both a substantial challenge and a significant opportunity for Cambodia.  In order to continue its impressive record of growth, the country will need to attract and encourage new domestic and foreign investment.  A good formula for achieving this goal would include an expansion of the labor pool with better access to education and vocational training, further reductions in corruption and improved efficiency, and the promise of higher paying jobs in Cambodia being fulfilled.  These efforts will help the country retain its most valuable resource – its people – by encouraging more Cambodians to pursue employment at home instead of choosing to go abroad.  This is particularly important in light of the multiple recent reports relating to labor migration,as well as, repatriations of victims of trafficking and labor exploitation.  With the Khmer New Year being a time to reconnect with families, I commend the Royal Government for its recent efforts to reunite the 58 Cambodian fishermen with their loved ones,after being rescued from exploitation in Indonesia.  When reflecting on the impact of ASEAN integration, this serves as yet another reminder that further collaboration across the region is needed to ensure that human rights are respected. 

I was saddened to hear about the recent discovery of a deceased Irrawaddy river dolphin along the border between Cambodia and Laos.  The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that there are less than 85 dolphins remaining in the Mekong River, so this is a significant blow to one of the world’s most iconic species and a major source of tourist revenue in the region.  I agree with the WWF that there should be more collaboration between Cambodia and its neighbors to protect and preserve our shared environment.  But I also draw inspiration from comments that I receive from youth and the activities of my Youth Council as it relates to their environmental awareness and activism.  I am really looking forward to the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Generation: EARTH workshop that will be held later this month in Siem Reap.  This event will bring96 young leaders from across Southeast Asia to Cambodia,where they will focus on solutions to a number of complex environmental challenges facing the region and beyond.  I am confident that they will have great ideas to share and will commit themselves to serve as leaders, inspiring others to take action in order to protect the environment, both now and in the future.

Through YSEALI and other efforts, the United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the youth of Cambodia.  I firmly believe that supporting the country’s youth – from nutrition to health care to education – is the best investment that we can make for Cambodia’s future.The future belongs to them; so as we celebrate the Khmer New Year, let us remember to not just pass on culture and tradition, but also empower the next generation by providing education,access,and opportunity so that they can help make a better tomorrow in Cambodia.  As we spend time with our families and loved ones over the next few days, I hope that many of us will reflect on this and other important issues.  But most of all, I would like to wish everyone a peaceful, prosperous, happy, and safe Khmer New Year. 

Thank you for reading my column this and every week.  Feel free to send me questions in English or Khmer at AskAMBToddPP@state.govand follow my blog at http://blogs.usembassy.gov/todd/.

William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

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