Two Cambodians joined a global forum for the improvement of human rights held in the US earlier this month.
Phearun Kuch, an information technology officer of Friends-International
in Phnom Penh, and Haksym Chhay, who is studying
for a master's degree in health and social science in Thailand, joined emerging leaders from around
the world at the Intergenerational Leadership Program, held at University of Connecticut in August.
The "Global Intergenarational Forum Celebrating 60 years of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights" gathered participants from the ages of 18 to
30 to discuss their experiences in working for improved human rights.
"I learned a lot from many well-known guest speakers during the whole forum,"
Haksym Chhay said. "The topics covered were human rights, peace and
reconciliation, leadership, fund raising and millennium development goals.
Speakers shared their life experiences on leadership and how they have
struggled for the promotion of reconciliation and peace and the respect for
human rights and democracy."
Human rights in general and child rights specifically are
"global issues," Phearun Kuch said. "I'm not alone in doing my
work helping children. Since the 75 participants of the 50 countries are from
different backgrounds, I found that social issues like human rights, child
rights, gender equity, poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS and education will come into
a positive solution."
Participation in the Forum was based on individual commitment to human rights
in any field of interest.