By Phoak Kung

Politics is one of the most controversial terms in the Cambodian context, where it is often linked to manipulation, corruption, violence and worse. Citizens are often warned to stay away from politics if they do not want to put themselves in danger or in an unpleasant situation. As a result, Cambodia has long faced a low level of political participation.

By: Peter Gregory

Following a pre-election lull, land disputes are once again on the rise in Cambodia according to NGOs Adhoc and Licadho. This has led to an increase in legal action against villagers and even death threats being leveled at a prominent activist last month. The Cambodian government must reform the nation’s property rights laws as a matter of moral and economic urgency. Cambodia’s economy has rocketed along in recent times with growth averaging 8.1 percent over the last decade. The Brookings Institute estimates that an astonishing 3.5 million Cambodians will fight their way out of poverty between 2005 and 2015.

By: Heng Pheakdey

In 1997 the ASEAN Leaders agreed to transform ASEAN into a stable, prosperous, and highly competitive region with equitable economic development, and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities. Ten years later, at the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the leaders affirmed their strong commitment by signing the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.  This community will enable free movement of goods, services, capital investment, and skilled labor within the region.