Young Politicians To Study in Philippines

By Ly Moryvan, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
25 March 2010

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Five young Cambodian politicians from four political parties were selected for a two-year political study program, where they will mix with colleagues from 12 other Asian countries in the Philippines.

Among them was Hing Soksan (picture), of the Human Rights Party, who spoke to VOA Khmer about his upcoming trip to Manila.

“I hope that I can use this knowledge for my party’s interest, the Human Rights Party, and to strengthen it in order to ensure that this political party will be a part of the government in responding to the interest of the public,” he said.

Hing Soksan will be joined in the “Training Program for Young Political Leaders of Asia” by Ngim Nheng, of the Sam Rainsy Party, Chea Se, of Funcinpec, Pen Sangha, of the Nationalist Party, formerly the Norodom Ranariddh Party, and Chea Botta, of the Nationalist Party.

The five students all passed a political test in Cambodia conducted by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Organization. Nominees had to be under 40 years old, have political experience, college degrees, and communication skills. They had to be willing to implement a political project devised during the program.

Participants of the program, co-sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Ateneo de Manila University, come from Australia, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

Hing Soksan said he expects to learn more from other young politicians from different parties and countries in Asia.