“Youths and Peace: Strengthening Peace, Stability and Development through Education”
Speech By Speech By Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Opening Ceremony of the Asia Youth Forum, Phnom Penh, May 31,2013
Opening Ceremony of the Asia Youth Forum, Phnom Penh, May 31,2013
Speech By
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN,
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
At theOpening of the Asia Youth Forum 2013
Under the Theme of “Youths and Peace: Strengthening Peace, Stability and Development through Education”Phnom Penh, May 31, 2013 (Unofficial translation)-
Dato Seri Dr. Mohamad Khir Toyo, President of the Asia Youth Council,-
Mr. Hun Many,President of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia,-
Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen,
It
is my pleasure and honour to be here to open the Asia Youth Forum 2013,
under the theme of “Youths and Peace: Strengthening Peace, Stability
and Development through Education”, jointly organized by the Union of
Youth Federation of Cambodia (UYFC) and Asia Youth Council (AYC) in
Phnom Penh. I would also like to congratulate the UYFC on hosting this
international forum.
Taking
this opportunity, I would like to commend the management board of UYFC
for exerting effort to promote the prestige of this Union on the
international stage. This also provides rare opportunity for Cambodian
youths to participate in strengthening peace, stability and development
in the region and the world, as well as share experiences and create
regional network that are the basis for mutual understandings,
solidarity and cooperation among peoples in the region.
Today’s
forum is held in a country which has gone through decades of chronic
civil war, genocide and internal conflicts caused by influence of
external cold war ideology to Cambodia’s society. Before achieving
peace, national unification and harmony experienced today, this poor
land and people have gone through enormous losses, sufferings and
tragedies. Despite Cambodia has achieved full peace and national
unification under the roof of one Constitution, one King, and one Royal
Government, the people have yet to overcome and leave behind both
physical and non-physical sufferings and scars left by the recent
chronic war and tragedies. Thus, peace building as well as national
unification and consolidation in Cambodia have been achieved at a very
high price. In this connection, I highly value the importance of the
theme of this Forum because it clearly reflects the experiences of some
regional countries, e.g. Cambodia, and is very relevant to the current
trend of the world that now becomes a subject of attention for
youths.Moreover, I am really proud of Asian youths who are dynamically
working together for the cause of peace, development and prosperity in
each country, the region and the world. This is the real spirit of
cooperation and partnership that must take root among youths, the core
force of development in the future.
In
the above spirit, as an ex-youth who spent my whole youth life fighting
for the cause of the people and the country, as a veteran who had gone
through countless battlefields, as an ordinary individual who had gone
through tragedies and sufferings during the Pol Pol Genocide Regime with
other people and stood up to liberate the country from this cruel
regime, and being tasked to seek peace for the people and the country as
well as to rebuild the country from ruins and massacre, I would like to
take this rare opportunity to share with you some of my experiences.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
According
to written history, Cambodia was a powerful and prosperous empire
during the early time of the previous millennium. People at that time
used the then modern technologies in architecture, agriculture land
management and other constructions. However, due to civil wars and
crises caused by internal conflicts since the 14th century as well as
the conflict of superpower’s ideologies over the past decades, Cambodia
felt into darkness. As I have mentioned above, the country and people of
Cambodia have gone through all kinds of bitter experiments and
countless sacrifices to regain peace and prosperity back to this poor
country. Fortunately, thanks to the firm determination of the people and
leaders, with advice and assistance from our friend countries, we have
managed to restore peace, democracy, human rights and human dignity to
the country which now can look forward to a prosperous future.
To
help you better understand this, I would like to dig into some
historical events that lead to the current national unification.
Everyone
knows that Cambodia has spent a very long time and sacrificed many
lives to fight for peace. However, during nearly four decades of war
caused by external influences as well as genocide and internal
conflicts, Cambodian people not only lost their opportunities for
socio-economic progress, but also suffered from enormous loss of lives
and properties. As I have mentioned earlier, I spent my whole youth life
fighting to liberate the country and the people. After successfully
toppling the Pol Pot Regime, at the age of over 20 years old, I was
tasked to lead the reconstruction of the country from ruins left by the
war while the cold war still continued and the country was faced with
external embargoes and internal war. Shouldering this heavy burden and
steep challenge, at the age of over 30 years old, I started to clearly
understand that “war was neither the sole nor the best means to achieve
peace”. “There is no victory in wars, only losses”. This understanding
drives me and other senior leaders of the Cambodia’s People Party to
seek political solution to the problem in Cambodia.
Therefore,
seeking solutions to the conflict in Cambodia started while the cold
war, arms race and ideological confrontation were heating, and Asia was
divided into two blocks. In the country, Cambodia was faced with the
risk of the return of the then UN-backed Pol Pot regime and unfair
embargoes from some countries that not only supported the PolPot
genocide regime, but also punished those who survived the massacre.This
is not a journey that consists of both easy and difficult parts, but
simply a very dangerous journey for our victimised and weak people.
Based on the philosophy of “war cannot be used to terminate war”, I was
then tasked by the Cambodia’s People Party to negotiate based on two key
strategies,
first: to achieve political solution with the assurance of preventing the return of the Pol Pot genocide regime,
second: to maintain all social achievements realized after the collapse of the Pol Pot regime in 1979.
Our
reunification effort led to the historic meeting between Samdech Preah
Norodom Sihanouk and Hun Sen on 2nd December 1987 in Fere-en-Tardenois,
France, which paved the way for the negotiation to seek political
solution to Cambodia, although some countries and factions, especially
Khmer Rouge, did not agree. Since then, subsequent bilateral and
multilateral meetings took place in different places and different
forms: Sihanouk-Hun Sen, Sihanouk-Hun Sen-Son Sann, Sihanouk-Hun Sen-Son
Sann-Khieu Samphan, Jim I, Jim II, I.M.C in Indonesia, and the first
Paris International Conference failed in 1989 and so on, in
unpredictable places half of the globe, including France, Thailand,
Indonesia, North Korea, China, Japan and even New York. I was one of
those who had the most negotiation partners/counterparts of both
Cambodians and foreigners. On the battle front, I usually avoided
engaging multi-battlefield at the same time, but on the negotiation
front, I had no other choice but to open negotiations with multiple
partners at the same time because it was necessary for the national
unification and happiness of the Cambodian people. Truly, it was not
simple at that time as I was just over 30 years old and required to
negotiate against some of the most experienced politicians and the
leaders of economic, military and political behemoths. It was indeed a
very difficult situation, but we were happy and proud of the work
because it was the ideal path for the survival of Cambodian people who
were the victims and suffered from the past tragedies.
Through
tough negotiations, with the efforts to overcome all the difficulties
and numerous challenges and mutual concessions, Paris Peace Agreement
was reached in 1991 that had become the key basis for the peace-making
process and the rehabilitation and development of Cambodia in the later
phases. However, those concessions were under the influence and engaged
with by external superpowers who had their own agenda. The international
community prepared first-ever universal election for Cambodia in 1993
that gave birth to a Coalition Government, leaving a faction (Khmer
Rouge) outside the social current that continue to wage war against the
government. Hence, the Second Kingdom of Cambodia resurrected when UNTAC
left country after spending USD 2 billion; but Cambodia remained
divided with two administrative regions and two governments, and ongoing
war along the borders with Thailand and other areas in the country in
the pattern of leopard spots, as the Khmer Rouge implemented the “Iron
Rust” strategy against the Royal Government. Looking at domestic
affairs, internal conflicts continue to exist and led to the July 1997
event.
Afterward,
with the sympathetic interventions of friend countries, Cambodian
people themselves came up with an initiative to achieve a concession and
a new agreement without external influence. We adopted the Law on
Cambodian Parliamentary Election and established the National Election
Committee and the Constitutional Council of Cambodia to prepare
elections and resolve disputes. With technical and financial assistance
from the international community, Cambodia successfully held an election
on its own. Thousands of national and international acted as observers
and witnesses of the election, issued their views about the election on
26th July 1998 from registration to counting of ballots. They agreed
almost unanimously that the election was held in the most peaceful
environment in a country infamous for internal conflicts. They also
acknowledged that the result of the election clearly reflected the free
choice of the Cambodian people. That was why they regarded the election
as “Miracle on the Mekong”. Truly, it was a miracle originated from
tough and silent leadership and hard-work, especially the will of all
the people.
Conflicting
views between the parties chosen by the people were resolved in the
best interest of the people and the future of Cambodia under the
umbrella of Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, the
King Father of Cambodia. As a result, a coalition government which
consisted of two major parties: Cambodia’s People Party and FUNCINPEC
Party assumed its office. In this context, the “Iron Rush Strategy” of
the Pol Pot was confronted with the “Win-Win Policy” of Hun Sen, which
was the final round of the national-reunification phase of
Cambodia.Within just 25 days after assuming the office, the new Royal
Government managed to eliminate the political and military organizations
of the Khmer Rouge. The last remaining Khmer Rouge forces were
integrated into the Royal Government. Hence, rebels or Khmer Rouge
military no longer existed in Cambodia. All factions came under one
roof. The ultimate objective of the Paris Peace Agreement 1991, which
could not be realized by UNTAC, became a reality as all Cambodian
factions agreed to come under one roof without external influences or
orders. Thus, concession is the key to ensuring peaceful coexistence,
cooperation and prevention of internal fragmentation.
In
this regard, I would like to reaffirm with great pride that the
“Win-Win Policy” is the core and most important tool of our peace
philosophy, and a very important lesson learnt from decades of
experiments and struggle to bring about today’s peace and happiness.
This key aspect of the “Win-Win Policy” was the recognition that “There
Is No Victor in Wars, and Revenge Cannot Bring Peace to the Country and
the People”. Therefore, I decided to introduce three guarantees to end
the war and controversy in the country, including:
First,
the guarantee of security and safety for individuals and families who
were willing to end the fighting and returned to the mainstream society.
Second, the guarantee of career safety so they can continue their previous jobs
Third, the guarantee of property safety as there is not confiscation or whatsoever.
These
three policies were the most effective panacea for treating the wound
and fragmentation resulted from decades of civil war and internal
conflicts and created “Diamond Opportunity” for the rehabilitation and
development of Cambodia’s society and economy.On the basis of
hard-earned peace and national unity, the whole nation has sacrificed
its physical strength, intellectual strength, and mental strength to
bring about development to this poor nation by implementing reform in
all sectors to increase and sustain economic growth and to ensure
equitable distribution of growth for all classes of people. We are fully
aware that the peaceful termination of war and fragmentation is a very
steep challenge, but sustaining peace and strengthening the culture of
peace are even steeper. To this end, we have to work vigorously and
double our effort in order to constantly nurture important roots of
peace, including the promotion of non-violence culture and respect of
human rights as well as the enhancement of democracy and good
governance, and especially resolute effort to reduce poverty in the
country and improve the living standard. Without effort and concrete
outcomes from these tasks, there will be very slight hope of maintaining
this hard-earned peace.In this context, we have set out the vision to
build a country with strongly bonded cells, highly educated citizens,
rich culture, good living standard, dignity, peace and harmony without
fear, conflict or violence. In this kind of society, democracy and human
rights are the highest value and the only roadmap that can propel the
ship of Cambodia toward progress, prosperity, and social justice. With
the firm determination to realize this noble mission, all Cambodian
people can look forward with pride and optimism.In fact, over the period
of more than a decade, Cambodia has greatly changed her image, beyond
the expectation. It is still remembered that about twenty years ago,
Cambodia received blue hat force of the United Nations in order to carry
out peacekeeping operation on the horribleland, full of conflicts and
confrontation.
Now,
Cambodia has become a country that has sent blue hat force to
participate in the peace keeping operation in a number of countries
under the umbrella of the United Nations. Cambodia, previously infamous
for the fearful killing field, insecurity and land mines, is now a
country with peace and a popular tourism destination in Southeast Asia,
receiving more than three million tourists annually. Cambodia,
previously infamous for gun battle to gain power and topple governments,
is now a country that firmly uphold multiparty democracy through the
regular preparation of the free and fair general election to chose
leaders, a state governed by laws and regulations, and a sovereign state
with territorial integrity and promotion of human rights and dignity.
Cambodia, which was used to be politically and economically embargoed
and isolated, has now become a country that is integrating actively into
the regional and global architecture, and is playing a critical role
with equal footing in regional and global affairs. Cambodia, previously
hampered by least progress and covered by poverty, is now ranked 15th in
terms of high economic growth during the last ten years, 5th among the
developing countries in terms of achieving the millennium development
goals, as well as ranked 1st in Asia Pacific Region in terms of
improving social indicators, and is now moving energetically from a
country of low income status to become the lower middle income country
in the near future.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Youths and all Students!
What
I have described above are a number of main stages of the most recent
Cambodian history that is attached to the duration and evolution of more
than half of my personal life. In fact, these historical events are
directly related to the life of Cambodian society in a human life
history. I hope that the sharing of these memory and experiences with
ladies and gentlemen as well as with the representatives of Asian Youths
and Cambodian Youths today, will be beneficial for your decision about
your chosen path in the future.We have been aware that due to the
immaturity, bravery and firm willingness but impatience, our youths
sometimes have become the subject of political business and victims of
their careless decision and too fast acceptance of political ideologies
or propaganda.
In
this connection, I am truly delighted to observe the maturity of
Cambodian youth through their brave activities, supporting the efforts
of the Royal Government and Cambodian people as a whole to ensure peace,
strengthen political stability, and speed up development for the sake
of national progress and prosperity of Cambodian people. These
activities really deserve high appreciation and represent the brave
tradition of the Cambodian National Solidarity and Salvation Youth
Association that was established on 2nd December 1978 as a comprehensive
front of Cambodian youth in order to liberate Cambodian people
nationwide on 7 January 1979, and then transformed itself to be the
Cambodian Youth Association to participate in the movement of restoring
and rebuilding the nation, and in November 2012 this Association changed
its name to the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) until
today.
In
addition, I am very proud to note that The Asian Youth Forum 2013 has
chosen a very relevant theme: “Youth and Peace: Strengthening Peace,
Stability and Development through Education” to be the topic for
discussion by incorporating a number of sub-themes including (1)
sacrificing for peace: lesson learnt; (2) the role of youth in
maintaining peace and stability through education in the context of
immediate change. I believe that the selection of this topic is
absolutely right, relevant and timely in the context that the
possibility of turmoil and civil war are threatening many countries and
regions.
In
this context, I hope that the sharing of my memory and personal
experiences above somehow can contribute to the discussion of the forum
on the theme and 1st sub-theme on the lesson learned from sacrifice for
peace.As for the 2nd sub-theme, I think that the recent experiences of
Arab Spring and the ongoing civil wars in some countries will remind
every youth to always remember their obligation and significance in
protecting and maintain the tree of peace that is benefiting us all
today and in the future. Careless acceptance of irresponsible rhetoric
and political propaganda from outside, may bring about great danger to
the whole society for the long term.
If
the current youth generation do not take a firm stand, the fruit of
peace, stability, and development that have been hardly earned by the
previous generations of youth so far might be cancelled out in a very
short time, and the country may plunge into instability such as civil
war being witnessed in the Arab World and North Africa today.Once again,
I am very pleased to note that our youths do have the conscience of
national patriotism, love peace and stability, and each of you are
trying to understand better about the historical facts, actively serving
the country with leadership, and participating in the forum to discuss
and share experiences with each other in order prepare yourself for the
mission of protecting and maintaining peace, stability, social order and
development for our respective countries, the region and the whole
world.
Finally,
along with the Opening of the Asia Youth Forum 2013 under the theme:
“Youth and Peace: Strengthening of Peace, Stability and Development
through Education” today, I would like to wish Excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen, all participants of the Asia Youth Forum 2013 greater success
in your mission, and a pleasant stay in Cambodia, especially may I wish
all youths and students who are present in this forum the four gems of
Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Healthiness, and Strength.Thank
you for your attention!
Speech
By Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the
Kingdom of Cambodia At theOpening of the Asia Youth Forum 2013 Under the
Theme of “Youths and Peace: Strengthening Peace, Stability and
Development through Education”Phnom Penh, May 31, 2013
___________________________________________________________________________________
FELLOWSHIP DINNER
SPEECH BY DATO’ SRI DR. KHIR TOYO
PRESIDENT
ASIAN YOUTH COUNCIL
17 May 2014 (Saturday)
Manila, Philippines
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great honor that I stand here today in the presence of present and former officials of the National Youth Commission of Philippine, youth parliamentarians, and Executive Committee members of the Asian Youth Council and delegates of the Asian Youth Forum. First and foremost, please allow me to extend my sincerest appreciation, on behalf of the Asian Youth Council, for the warm hospitality of our host for this year’s Asian Youth Forum and Asian Youth Executive Committee Meeting, the National Youth Commission of Philippine.This is the second time that Philippine has hosted the Asian Youth Forum and executive committee meeting and it is such a pleasure for us to be back here in Manila.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am hopeful and confident that our meeting here this year will be a testament to the commitment of all youth councils in the region in building a peaceful Asia.As we strive to achieve peace and stability, we are providing our citizens better opportunities for education, employment and for a country to grow and develop.Efforts must be ongoing to ensure that as a region, we remain in accordance to the agreement that our youths should be given opportunities and access to education, to employment, to a brighter future and a peaceful nation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we edge closer to 2015, the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals, we have achieved significant positive milestones. However, I would like to highlight some key facts and figures and issues that we need to focus on, moving forward, post – 2015 development agenda.
Since 1990, extreme hunger rates have been cut in half, but still, one in eight people remain hungry worldwide. In the period of 2010 – 2012, 13 percent of the Asia and Pacific experienced severe forms of hunger and malnutrition.
As a region, we have reduced the percentage of people living below the poverty line from 52 percent to 20 percent in 2011. However significant this development is, I still feel that there is a lot more that needs to be done to improve the lives our citizens.
Yesterday, as we took part in the AIDS Candle light memorial, we stand united in remembrance of those affected by it. Research has shown that the percentage of those living in HIV/AIDS have decreased, but still, 5.8 million people in the Asia Pacific alone living with HIV/AIDS is not a small number. We need to educate our youths on a healthy lifestyle. However, let us not be discouraged by the statistics and numbers from research. Let us work together, as national youth councils, to voice out our concerns and to influence policy making in our country, for a better future for our youths.
Friends of the AYC,
I am also excited to see the presence of Philippines Youth Parliamentarians here tonight. The setting up of a youth parliament is one of the government’s initiatives to recognize the role and contributions of the nation’s youth.
These youths are the future our nation. They will soon be the leaders of the nation. They are the ones who will formulate the policies of the nation, the region and perhaps the world, and there is no better ways of preparing them for that future than ensuring that their voices are heard and that they are given a chance highlight their concerns and issues.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Before I end my speech, I would like to once again thank our host, the National Youth Commission for the generous and warm hospitality. We could never thank you enough. It is also my hope that all participants here today will take the opportunity to widen their network, to make new friends and to keep an open mind of the many views, opinions and cultures of the people of Asia.
Thank you
