Youth For Peace (YFP)
Partner Since: 2006
Project Title: Youth
as Agents of Peaceful Social Change
Project Area: Phnom Penh
Summary: The project
focuses on enabling students and youth
to become agents of social change as they
develop solidarity with peers and community
through informed and focused non-violent
social action. Students are provided the
opportunity to access information, engage
in discussion, develop critical thinking
and analysis skills; and creatively comment
on their own experiences and understandings
of peace, justice, and human rights.
About the Organization:
Youth for Peace activities began in 1999
when four university students came together
with a concern for the youth in Cambodia.
The four founding staff began their work
by conducting a survey related to the
situation of youth in Phnom Penh. They
contacted and surveyed school directors,
teachers, experienced people and youth
in Phnom Penh. The survey indicated that
students lacked opportunities to receive
spiritual education. Without this, youth
showed little responsibility for their
actions, poor communication skills, bad
attitudes, and indifference to responsibility
in society. In response to these needs,
the staff designed a peace-building program
with a curriculum for several workshops.
The materials were tested over one year’s
time. Upon completion of the pilot testing,
a decision was made to formalize the activities
and develop a non-profit organization.
Youth for Peace was registered with the
Ministry of Interior in March 2001. It
is politically neutral and not affiliated
with any political party.
Youth for Peace has a Board of Directors
with 5 members. The Executive Committee
is currently comprised of 5 persons: 3
men, 2 women. In addition, there are 5
regular full-time staff (3 men, 2 women).
At the present time YFP has two expatriate
Advisors (women) and one expatriate Intern
(man). More than 20 student leaders are
able to assist with YFP events and activities.
Since August 2000, Youth for Peace has
held more than 300 activities and workshops
attended by more than 12,800 youth from
Phnom Penh and the rural provinces of
Battambang, Takeo, and Kampong Chhnang.
All of these workshops and events are
conducted by YFP trainers and staff, and
assisted by student leaders who have been
trained by YFP. Student Leaders trained
by YFP have also planned, organized and
implemented more than 120 activities with
their youth groups since Year 2002. Each
of these activities is monitored by a
YFP staff member. In addition to the regular
workshops and events, YFP has successfully
conducted large gatherings for both national
and international participation. Today
YFP is recognized as an important voice
for youth in developing a culture of peace
in Cambodia.
YFP uses a 6-step progressive approach
to develop youth leaders beginning with
building self-esteem and confidence, communication
skills, tolerance and acceptance of others
until youth are able to motivate groups
to create micro-projects impacting democracy
and decentralization at the local level.
These steps move youth from looking inward
at their own potential, to looking outward
at society, and then to empowerment –
taking action. Supplemental activities
create interest and excitement on the
journey to active citizenship. All parts
of the program are designed to dove-tail
together and complement each other. Theory
and reality are linked.
The major components of YFP peace building
program are an integral part of the YFP
program and provide the practical learning
component for active citizenship. These
include Peace Education, Leadership Project,
and a Student Center and Library These
provide a safe way to practice and experience
leadership skills and understand democratic
principles in action. Additionally, these
activities and events create awareness,
and provide valuable information and challenges
to society regarding social justice.
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