Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres Of Repression To Places Of Peace And Reflection

Phnom Penh, April 10, 2024 --

[Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection (M-13, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek Genocidal Center) to Receive Support from KOICA]

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) convened a wrap-up meeting at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum on April 9 with representatives from the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MCFA) and UNESCO Cambodia Office.

According to a KOICA’s press release, this meeting marked the successful conclusion of the project formulation study mission for the second phase of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitisation Project, also known as the Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitisation, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE) project.

Building on the achievements of the first feasibility study conducted in early 2023, the recently completed mission, held from April 3 to 9, 2024, focused on developing a detailed plan for the project. This plan outlines clear objectives, the scope of KOICA's support, and an initial implementation schedule. The project aligns with Cambodia’s recent nomination for inscription on the World Heritage List of Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection.

The meeting was presided over by H.E. HAB Touch, Secretary of State of MCFA, Ms. CHOI Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office, and Mr. ALAM Sardar Umar, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia.

The upcoming step will include the signing of a Record of Discussions (RoD) between KOICA and MCFA, as well as a Grant Arrangement between KOICA and UNESCO. This significant event is scheduled to take place in May this year, marking the commencement of project implementation.

The project, funded by a Korean government grant of US$3 million for five years (2024-2028), will further develop Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and related sites as a centre of excellence for peace and global citizenship education, and demonstrate it as a model memorial site for learning and youth empowerment to promote peace.