the next generation of leaders

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” - Robert F. Kennedy

Over 70 percent of the population in Cambodia today is under the age of 35. While this generation did not have to live through the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, they have had to live with the aftermath. They have seen their parents, aunts and uncles rebuild their lives from scratch, witnessed the reconstruction of their country from the rubles of war to the rise of infrastructure, from conflict towards relative peace and stability, from a sluggish economy to a booming one.

This cohort serves as an important link between the past and the future--a demographic still directly impacted by the consequences of war but they are also playing an important role in shaping the future of Cambodia, beyond the history of the Khmer Rouge. The next generation of leaders are among us today. They are paving the way for a more hopeful future for Cambodia. 

Too often we only hear about the problems plaguing Cambodia.  This special series is dedicated to recognizing the intelligence, talent, creativity, innovation, and promise of Cambodia’s future. Each week in February, through a series of interviews, I will profile a young leader, all under the age of 35, who is contributing to Cambodia’s development in various fields—from economists to filmmakers, governance specialists to bloggers and entrepreneurs. This is only a small sample of the many young leaders in Cambodia today, but together they are all making a difference in their own way, all contributing to a brighter future for Cambodia. As Robert F. Kennedy states, together their contributions will write the history of this generation.   

CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERVIEWS.