Blogs

As a member of the Cambodia ICT and Digital Forum (CamIDF), I had an opportunity to apply for the Paris Peace Forum (PPF) program for the first time. I was selected to attend the fifth edition of the Forum under a project titled “Open Data for Indigenous and Ethnic Minority”.

I am delighted that I am a member of the Cambodia ICT Camp and the CamIDF because it allows me to gain benefits for capacity development and attend international events, like the Paris Peace Forum. I was selected to participate in the “Open Data for Indigenous and Ethnic Minority” project, presented by Open Development Cambodia, at the fifth Paris Peace Forum (PPF) in Paris.

The rapid growth of the digital technology sector shows promise to change Cambodian livelihoods. New technological concepts and tools have been developed and become a global trend in recent years.

WordCamp Asia which happened in Bangkok from February 17-19, 2023, was the first flagship WordCamp in Asia. So far, there have been three types of flagship WordCamp: US, Europe and Centroamérica. As a member of the Cambodia ICT and Digital Forum (CamIDF), I have attended this regional event thanks to the support from the Open Development Cambodia (ODC).

Open Development Cambodia (ODC), on 17 February 2023, organized the 3rd Cambodia ICT and Digital Forum (CamIDF) in Phnom Penh with 41 participants; 14 are women from CamIDF members, Cambodia ICT Camp alums, government officials, CSOs, indigenous people community, LGBT+ community, journalists, digital rights defenders, civil society organizations, start-ups, the private sector, and university students. The Forum discussed the Digital Transformation Policy, Child Online Protection Policy, and other topics.

On the 16th of November 2022, Open Development Cambodia organized the Second Cambodia ICT and Digital Forum (CamIDF) with 46 participants from the members of the Advisory Committee, members of the Forum, and relevant stakeholders to discuss various topics.

Cambodia is currently undergoing a fast-paced digitalization process that affects various sectors and activities. As a result, the government, citizens, private firms, and civil society organizations (CSOs) increasingly rely on digital tools and information communication technologies (ICTs) to develop their activities. ICT’s unprecedented opportunities for data management, access to information, knowledge-sharing, communication, and automation partly explain these agents' dependence on digital media. Furthermore, the development of Cambodia’s Digital Government Policy 2022-2035 means that individuals and professionals from many sectors in the country must adapt to newly implemented cybersecurity and digital rights laws.