Hun Sen criticizes the SRP of using the youths as a stepping stone

Thursday, March 6, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime minister Hun Sen criticized without openly naming the Sam Rainsy Party, saying that the SRP is currently using the youths as a stepping stone to grab the prime minister position. In a declaration made to about 2,000 students, during a ceremony for the distribution of diplomas on Wednesday, Hun Sen said: “Their propaganda saying that Mr. Hun Sen will stay as prime minister until he is 90-year-old as long as people still vote for him, is a violation on the rights of the youth. At the end, this party’s president said that he is the one who wants to the prime minister, not these youths at all.” Hun Sen’s comment was raised only a few days after the SRP held its First Congress for the SRP Youth Movement to select a youth representative to lead the SRP Youth Movement. The SRP considers the youth force as its new force to bring changes to the country’s governance. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, told The Mekong Times that Hun Sen made this declaration because he is afraid of the youths whom he cannot find jobs for all of them. He retorted to Hun Sen by saying: “Therefore, for the youths to have jobs, the SRP must have power.”

First SRP National Youth Congress Video

March 2, 2008: SRP held its First National Youth Congress at the SRP party headquarters in Phnom Penh. The congress gathered more than 2,600 party youths coming from 17 provinces from all over Cambodia.

SRP selected the leader of its youth movement

San Seak Kin, newly elected delegate general of the SRP Youth Movement

SRP Youth Movement Congress (Photo: SRP)

Monday, March 03, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

During its first congress of the SRP Youth Movement, held on Sunday, with the participation of more than 2,000 youths, the SRP selected its general delegate for the SRP youth movement. The youth movement general delegate holds a rank equivalent to that of the party deputy secretary-general. The Samner Thmei newspaper reported that 4 candidates applied for this position: 3 coming from various provinces, and one from Phnom Penh city. The results of the election for this position showed that San Seak Kin, the candidate from Phnom Penh city, received the most vote to become the youth movement general delegate, and he will be in charge of the party youth movement. Sam Rainsy declared that the Congress for the Youth Movement is a historical event for the SRP in the selection of a leader for its youth movement. Sam Rainsy said that, his party is the only one in Cambodia which selected a youth movement leader democratically, starting from the local levels, and all the way up to the national level.

SRP National Youth Congress

February 27, 2008
PRESS RELEASE

SRP to Hold National Youth Congress

“As a young person, I have a vision that change in our political system is possible. I wish that one day we would have a leader who will truly help our youth to gain decent employment, with decent wages and protection. I have great hope that the Sam Rainsy Youth Movement will help me to fulfill this dream”

- Prak Vy, 24 year-old high school drops out, Dang Toung commune, Kampot province, Cambodia.

Following substantial democratic reforms which strengthened party structure at all levels, the Sam Rainsy Party took another major step to bring the voice of the youth into the formulation of its policies and into its decision-making process. From December 2007 to February 2008, the party held youth elections in 1,321 communes, 137 districts in 17 provinces. 51,910 youth members were involved in these reforms.

To further provide youth with a voice and opportunity to be engaged in politics and building democracy, the SRP will hold a National Youth Congress, including the election of a Youth Delegate for the party. The elected youth will represent the voice of the SR Youth throughout the country and will hold a position of Party Deputy Secretary-General. 17 youth members, elected by their constituency will be added to SRP current Steering Committee. Over 3,000 youth members are expected to attend the event.

A new initiative put forward during the National Youth Congress is the youth debate among candidates who will run for the position of Youth Delegate. This debate is a demonstration of SRP's central democratic principles that increase citizen participation in democratic processes and provide a venue to act on the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

The National Youth Congress will be held on the following:

Date : Sunday March 2, 2008
Time : 8AM - 4PM
Location : SRP Headquarters-Phnom Penh

The Sam Rainsy Youth Movement has the following as its goals:

The Sam Rainsy Youth Movement strives for national conscience to rebuild Cambodia with participation and opportunities for all, in particular for youth. Reforms in the political and social systems must have space for the youth to take their own actions for change.

The Sam Rainsy Youth Movement has the following objectives:

• increase youth participation in political, social and economic development;
• increase youth participation in electoral process;
• youth actions for youth

SRP General Secretariat

Contact persons:
Mr. Keo Phirum, Phone: 012 175 7079
Mr. Hul Thul, Phone: 012 758 516

Photos from First National Congress of SRP Youth Movement

March 2, 2008: SRP held its First National Youth Congress at the SRP party headquarters in Phnom Penh. The congress gathered more than 2,600 party youths coming from 17 provinces from all over Cambodia.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeting the SRP Youths (Photo: SRP)

Youth members from Kandal province
Youth members from Sihanoukville and Siem Reap provinces
Youth members from Battambang and Prey Veng provinces
Sam Rainsy addressing the Youth Congress
Party members applaud the youth members
The congress was participated by several foreign guests
Youth members from Banteay Meanchey and Prey Veng provinces

First National Congress of Sam Rainsy Party Youth Movement to take place on 02 March

Sam Rainsy with members of the SRP Youth Movement (Photo: SRP Youth Movement)

Sam Rainsy's appeal for donation to help defray the cost for the First Congress of the SRP Youth Movement, please click on the appeal to zoom in

Friday, February 29, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Sam Rainsy Party will hold its First National Congress for the SRP Youth Movement on Sunday 02 March, with the participation of 2,500 youths. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, told the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that this is the First National Congress for the SRP Youth Movement, and this congress is organized as part of the reform to prevent the defection of party members which took place not long ago. Eng Chhai Eang indicated that this congress will be scheduled for one full day, starting from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM. The congress will vote to select the Youth Movement delegate, and the Youth Movement general inspector for the party. Those who will be voted in to these positions will represent the voice of the SRP Youth Movement for the entire country, and will also occupy the position of deputy Secretary-general of the party. In response to the question as to whether the SRP will be affected in the upcoming election if important party members keep on defecting, Eng Chhai Eang said that the party will not be affected because the number of defectors is small in comparison to the number of new members joining the party which is so much more.