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Mission Statement
“Each of us must decide if we will take responsibility for creating the kind of world we want to live in. Together we can make a difference. The conflicts and problems of our global communities all have the same roots – greed, hatred, prejudice and selfishness. We all contribute to these conflicts and problems each time we choose to build walls between ourselves and the ‘other’ – those who look different, live differently and believe differently to us. We can decide to search for the unique part we have to play in creating answers that will give hope to humanity.”
I- Background to the 1st Cambodia – Vietnam Dialogue.
Following the 11th Asia Pacific Youth Conference (APYC), which was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia from the 22nd to the 31st of July, 2004, it was decided that a group of young Cambodians should travel to Vietnam to meet and dialogue with their counterparts in Vietnam.
During our time together at APYC we realized there were are still many conflicts and issues between our two countries, which had have a historical basis. We young adults decided that the best way to tackle these problems was is to come together so we could to talk about them, rather than hiding them and pretending nothing was is wrong between our two countries. Following a number of meetings at the APYC, we committed to an ongoing dialogue with the aim of building trust, healing the wounds of history and creating genuine peace between young people in our countries.
What is the Asia Pacific Youth Conference?
The Asia-Pacific Youth Conference (APYC) began as an initiative of Moral Re-Armament, now known as Initiatives of Change. The first APYC was held in 1990 in Taiwan, inspired by the vision of a Chinese from Taiwan, to bring together youth from around the region to learn from the experiences of those who had successfully taken action to overcome conflict and confront corruption. The concept was developed in order to offer practical ideas and encouragement to these youth, who want to use their lives as change-makers addressing social issues in their countries and the region.
What is Initiatives of Change (IofC)?
Initiatives of Change (IC) is an international network formerly known as Moral-Rearmament, a 60-year old movement for societal change that draws from Gandhian, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and secular traditions, emphasizing the role of the individual in bringing about peace. It began in 1938 in England, at a time when the nations were re-arming for war. Moral Re-Armament played a significant role in peace-building efforts after the war between France and Germany, and between Japan and its neighbours. Today it exists as a network of people, committed to bringing about transformation in society through a change in motivations, attitudes and relationships. It has regional centres in India, Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Brazil.
II- Why the Cambodia-Vietnam Dialogue (CVED) is important.
The CVED is a unique opportunity for open dialogue between young people, about issues of concern to them, regarding the future of their countries. Some of the issues this CVED intends to address include:
· The current legacy of historical conflicts between our two countries.
· Endemic corruption and poverty.
· Racial and religious stereotypes.
· Lack of positive relationships between rural and urban communities.
· Lack of motivation to address social problems amongst young people.
III- Goal and Objectives
Goal
Trustworthy relationship and peace network building among young people from the two neighbouring countries Cambodia and Vietnam will be promoted
Objectives
· To build relationships of trust and mutual understanding, through dialogue based on an appreciation of each other’s faiths, heritage and cultural diversity.
· To learn from the life experiences of those who are addressing issues including corruption, communal conflict and poverty.
· To address the root causes of social issues through personal change that deals with conflict in the individuals’ own lives.
· To build commitment to moral principles
· To develop projects for peace-building within the region.
IV- CVED strategies and activities
a. Target group
Young people in the age of 18-30 from Vietnam and Cambodia
b. Dialogue Format
The dialogue provides an opportunity to live together for ten days and to learn how other cultures and people carry out their daily lives, discuss social issues facing our countries and the region and empower participants to take action to address these issues. Throughout our time together we will aim at building greater understanding of the diversity of our countries, and their our potential to contribute something of value to the rest of the world.
c. CVED programme overview
· Reflection and quiet time – a session at the start of each day to inspire participants.
· Sharing – a time when participants will be able to share stories of their life, decisions they have made, hopes for the future.
· Guest speakers.
· Visiting projects and NGOs.
· Daily themes for discussion.
d. Dialogue location
· Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang.
· Visiting villages and staying with families.
e. Dialogue planning and methodology
Planning of the CVED is being carried out by members of the Initiatives of Change Association. All the organizers are contributing their time on a voluntary basis, for the opportunity of being able to work with other young people from Cambodia and Vietnam. A number of sub-committees have been established to oversee the preparation of the dialogue.
V- Outcomes and Evaluation
a-Outcomes
As in the first CVED, it is expected that the opportunities for in-depth sharing and training will sustain existing peace-building efforts between our two countries, as well as to create new initiatives and exchange programmes. Expected outcomes include:
· Increased awareness amongst young people about regional social problems.
· Building motivation and capacity amongst participants to take positive project-based action to tackle these problems.
· Attitudinal change amongst participants on issues such as corruption and prejudice, leading to empowerment and long-term transformation.
b-Evaluation
A number of strategies are being employed to ensure that personal changes and commitments are sustained in the longer term and result in practical action. There will be daily evaluation, to monitor the progress of the conference. Individuals will have an opportunity to make pledges for action at the end of the conference. The organizing committee will follow up with individuals via personal meetings, phone or email communication to ensure these pledges are acted upon.
VI- Conclusion :
The CVED organizing committee is committed to ensuring that this dialogue achieves our planned outcomes. We will prepare a report of our time together which will be sent to all participants, speakers and funding providers. Your support will help make this dialogue a significant event, through helping shape the lives of the future decision-makers in Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Cambodia Vietnam Exhcnage Dialgoue is widely open to all Cambodians and Vietnameses.
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