Empowering Youth for an Equitable Society
Empowering Youth for an Equitable Society (EYES) Program empowers Cambodian youth to develop leadership skills, critical thinking, and civic awareness, equipping them to take active roles in society and contribute positively to themselves, their communities, and their country.
EYES Program Objectives
The EYES program (Empowering Youth for an Equitable Society) aims to:
- Build personal and social competencies through leadership, personal development, critical and analytical thinking skills, enabling youth to make informed decisions on issues impacting their daily lives.
- Foster the understanding and awareness of democratic governance and active citizenship through civic and political education, enabling youth to exercise their civil and political rights
- Promote peace education through capacitating youth in the Khmer Rouge history and Conflict Resolution and Transformation, enabling youth to act as agents for peace.
- Motivate youth to unlock their potential, sharpen their skills and knowledge and prepare them to take social actions.
Program Approach
The program follows a step-by-step process:
- Foundational Training: Youth first complete the Leadership and Personal Development (LPD) course, gaining personal and leadership skills.
- Democratic Governance and Active Citizenship (DGAC): Required after the foundational courses, DGAC builds youth’s understanding of their civic and political rights and prepares them to put those rights into practice.
- Conflict Transformation and Resolution (CTR): Youth learn to handle conflict peacefully and build critical thinking skills, putting their knowledge of civic and political rights into practice.
- Exposure trip: After completing the three foundational courses, youth apply their skills on a community exposure trip, engaging local leaders and stakeholders in the impacted community to identify real issues and propose solutions.
- Active Engagement: Youth step into their role as active citizens recognizing themselves as agents of change, staying informed on social and political issues, and giving their time, ideas, and effort to community initiatives.
- Reflective Action: Participants engage in thoughtful, reflective practices that strengthen their sense of national ownership.
Why This Matters
By participating in EYES, youth participants will:
- Become confident leaders with well-informed information that is capable of driving positive social change within themselves, their families, and communities.
- Become aware and increase deep understanding of societal issues, conflict situations, Khmer Rouge history, and take meaningful actions.
- Learn to act responsibly and collaboratively within their communities.
