Yesterday, March 7, the Swedish Embassy to Cambodia signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to provide funding of SEK 7 million to support the multimedia youth project Loy 9.
H.E. Anne Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to Cambodia, and Ms. Setsuko Yamazaki, UNDP Cambodia Country Director, inked the grant agreement yesterday. The funds will be used to run the Loy9 campaign completing the just-launched series 2, production work for a third series and undertaking a survey of young Cambodians that will explore their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) around civic engagement, with an emphasis on the media landscape.
TV Series Two of Loy 9 was originally launched in 2012 on television, radio and online. Aimed at young people between the ages of 15 and 24 across Cambodia, the media programs combine entertainment and education to inform about opportunities to participate in civic life.
Promoting civic education
About Loy 9 Anne Höglund, the Swedish Ambassador to Cambodia, says:
“Loy 9 is an innovative way to engage young Cambodians to participate in public life and to strengthen understanding of the democratic process in this country. We are very happy to be associated with this initiative”.
Furthermore, Setsuko Yamazaki, UNDP Cambodia Country Director, says:
“As Cambodia continues to strive for greater growth socially and economically, it is becoming more and more important for young people to get involved in making a difference for the future of their country. We thank Sweden for partnering with UNDP to promote civic education among youth.”
The campaign is an initiative of UNDP Cambodia and is being implemented by BBC Media Action. The programs build on UNDP funded research from 2010 which showed that a lack of knowledge and understanding of democratic processes and difficulties expressing issues of concern are among the obstacles to many young Cambodians participating as citizens. Responding to this, Loy9 has found many examples of young people who are finding ways to actively and constructively participate in civic life.
