Overview

YRDP is a Cambodian NGO that provides non formal education and capacity strengthening opportunities for tertiary-level students from universities, faculties and institutions of higher education to develop their capacities for analyzing their own situation and their country's situation, to reflect on this and act for change. YRDP seeks to provide these students with opportunities to become committed citizens and to be active members of the civil society. YOUTH are the present and future of any nation. For Cambodia, they are crucial for the future. YRDP believes that young people, who are good CRITICAL THINKERS and feel responsible for their country, can effectively promote peace and positive development. This is especially true for the university students, many of whom are inevitably the FUTURE LEADERS. YRDP’s philosophy is largely derived from the theory of Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire. The program began with the understanding that education for empowerment must go beyond the acquisition of knowledge and operate from the premise that people not only have the ability to know reality but they also have the capacity for critical reflection and action. YRDP has aimed to develop this capacity among Cambodian university students and enable them to analyze the underlying structures of an issue, action or experience, and to be able see the causal relationships. YRDP is based in Phnom Penh but many of our students come from the provinces to attend our training courses and participate in the Youth Clubs. We are recognized as a very unique NGO that provides training on Critical Thinking Skills.

Background

YOUTH ARE THE AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE and the future of our country depends on the quality of our thinking. The recognition of the importance of youth, the possibility of Cambodians to initiate and participate in civic activities, YRDP was formally initiated in October 1992. In 1998 this program was legally registered with the Ministry of the Interior as a local non-governmental youth organization. The official NGO registration number issued 12th October 1999 is Nº 891. YRDP is not affiliated with any political party or religion and bases its work on the values of empowerment, development, active non-violence, solidarity, gender equity, impartiality and transparency. The founder, Ms. Myriam Frys-Denis, from Belgium worked in Cambodia as a nurse educator in 1988. She realized that Cambodian nurses needed training in critical thinking skills. She worked with a few Cambodian students to create a program to develop student’s capacity to analyze and reflect on their own and their country’s situation and to act for social change. YRDP’s philosophy largely derived from the theory of Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire (1921-1997). The program began with the understanding that education for empowerment must go beyond the acquisition of knowledge and operate from the premise that people not only have the ability to know reality abut also the capacity for critical reflection and action. Since 1992, about 60,000 students (42% are female) have participated in YRDP activities. Many are now working with different institutes, including private companies, civil society organizations, and government departments, as well as running their own businesses

Value

YRDP adheres to and is guided by the following seven core values: Empowerment: For YRDP, human resource development is first and foremost. It is the empowerment of the individual, allowing the potential within each person to blossom which, along with the enhancement of their discernment and critical thinking skills, enables them to make good choices. Within YRDP, empowerment refers to the democratic process that gives opportunity to participants to critically analyze the political, economical and socio cultural situation that effect their life and society and then decide to take action toward to the positive change. YRDP encourages the youth to reflect on themselves and their situations, to take initiative, to find honest ways of making a living and to actively participate in the development of their country. YRDP is focused on enabling the youth to act independently. Development: Education through the critical study of reality is the best means of empowerment. "Development" stems from the empowerment of the individual through engagement in activities for social change and adult education. Active Non-Violence (ANV): YRDP strongly believes that active non-violence is the only way to find truth and justice. YRDP is committed to actively promote peace, justice and development. Rice seeds will always produce rice. Rice will not grow from a cactus. Thus, if we sow seeds of peace, we will harvest peace. Solidarity: Promoting peace and development demands all participants choose a way of life that takes into consideration the standard of living of the majority of the people. For YRDP, this means that its staff and the students with whom it works are encouraged to avoid acquiring superficial things and to "do the most with least". This is in solidarity with the majority of Cambodians struggling to make a living. Gender Equity: Women and men are partners for the future of the nation- Equal chances for women to access education and to be active participants in the society as well as mutual respect and understanding of men and women are key issues for Cambodian development. Impartiality: YRDP is not affiliated with any political party or religion and has never received any funding support from political parties either inside or outside the country. Impartiality does not prevent YRDP from promoting its vision regarding issues of concern. YRDP remains being actively committed to promote peace, justice and developing process. Transparency: We at YRDP abide by the principle of transparency which goes beyond financial accountability and includes the processes used to make decisions. YRDP advocates for accountability and transparency within government, civil society and the private sector through accurate and comprehensive disclosure of information and decisions.

Mission

To strengthen Cambodian youth by developing their social conscience and enabling them to take responsibility for their own future and the future of their family, society and country

Vision

YRDP envisions a just, peaceful and democratic society where youth are constructively playing a role as leaders in the development that is equitable and sustainable.

Goal

Youth are committed and active citizens who take concrete initiative that sensitize other people for promoting peaceful, justice and democratic community development.

Staff