The 2nd AICHR Regional Dialogue on Mainstreaming of the Right to Education in the Asean Community held in Phnom Penh from October 20-22. Photo supplied
The 2nd Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Regional Dialogue on Mainstreaming of the Right to Education in the Asean Community held in Phnom Penh from October 20-22 received inputs from participants on the matter to strengthen cooperation of the right to education in the region.
The AICHR organised the three-day regional dialogue, where more than 100 participants from Asean member countries, human rights and educational institutions, international organisations, UN and NGOs took part.
The Cambodian representative to the AICHR, Polyne Hean, told The Post on the sidelines of the dialogue on Sunday: “The purpose of the dialogue is to mainstream the right to education in accordance to the three pillars of Asean.”
The three pillars are the Asean Political-Security Community, Asean Economic Community and Asean Socio-Cultural Community.
This is the second time Cambodia has hosted the regional dialogue, with the first being in November 2017.
“Comparing Cambodian education to other countries in the region, what the Kingdom is doing is likely to be better than before. We have strengthened the quality of education remarkably.
“If Cambodia did not strengthen the education sector and human rights, our country might not have the ability to organise this regional dialogue,” said Hean.
Hence, she said Cambodia plans to organise a regional dialogue on Youth and Human Rights, while the Kingdom continues to lead the dialogue on the right to education as well. Both events will take place next year.
Cambodian Human Rights Committee president Keo Remy said on Sunday: “This year marks the 40th anniversary of Cambodia’s liberation from the Pol Pot regime. In that period, the human rights of all Cambodians, including the right to life was deprived.
“Emerging from the sidelines of life and death in 1979, the government remains committed to protect Cambodia and not allow the country to fall into such a dark and atrocious time of genocide again.”
Remy said as an Asean member state, Cambodia has made tremendous achievements. These achievements collectively provide a strong impetus towards strengthening the capability and leadership of the younger generation in both international and regional contexts.
“The Cambodian government is improving the country’s education system so that it will become stronger for the next generation,” said Remy.
