Khmer Youth Association

Increasing Youth Participation in the 2013 National Elections, funded by DCA/CA and Forum Syd

Increasing Youth Participation in the 2013 National Elections

Project period: June 2012 - 31 December 2013

Funded by: Dan Church Aid / Christian Aid (DCA/CA) and Forum Syd Human Rights Department

Target group: Young people ages 15-30, senior government officers, party leaders, and policy makers

Target area: Phnom Penh, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Battambang, Prey Veng, Banteay Mean Chey, Ratanakirri, Modulkirri, Koh Kong, Preah Vihear and Kampong Chhnang provinces

The purpose of this project was to increase awareness of the election process amongst youth, encourage them to participate in the election process and to vote in the elections. The project also facilitated youth to send a strong message to policy makers, politicians, and especially the political party leaders that youth are key stakeholders that can make positive change in society and are vital in political decision making.

The project implementation included pre, during and pos election activities. The first stage aimed to make sure youth understood well the election process (importance of voting, understanding the political parties agendas and familiarizing with the voting system) and encouraging eligible youth to register in the voters’ list, making use of social media such as Facebook, YouTube, and SMS to increase awareness of the election. In Phnom Penh, 600 young people participated in the national dialogue with the Parliament. For the second stage, election youth observers were trained to ensure freedom and fairnes on the elections day, July 28. KYA trained 150 youth observers in 30 communes across five provinces including Takeo, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap and Battambang, Community campaigns and consultant groups were organized in six provinces with 400 participants.

Post election activities included a national dialogue between elected parliamentarians and youth groups to follow-up the promises of each political party with seats in the national assembly. Around 600 youth from differnt backgrounds like university students, youth with disabilities; UN youth advisory panel, young women groups, most at risk youth (including out of school youth, migrant workers and entertainment workers) attended this dialogue.

Youth dialogues between voter youth and non-voter youth were done after National Elections. In these dialogues, both groups discussed their first impressions after the elections, analyzed the results, indicated whether it was worth the effort, and expressed their expectations challenges for the future.

Increasing Youth Participation in the 2013 National Elections, funded by DCA/CA and Forum Syd

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