Overview

The NGO FORUM believes in working together for:  Economic and social justice;  Respect for human rights and democracy;  Gender equality;  Peace and non-violence;  Sustainable use of natural resources;  Respect for cultural diversity; and  Development with equity. Cambodia will have a well-informed and empowered population participating in a strong and vibrant civil society, to the benefit of poor and vulnerable people in Cambodia. The NGO Forum is made up of local and international non-governmental organizations grounded in their experience of humanitarian and development assistance to Cambodia. The NGO Forum exists for information sharing, debate and advocacy on priority issues affecting Cambodia’s development. The NGO Forum has an important role to highlight the impact of development processes and economic, social and political changes on Cambodians.

Background

NGO Forum on Cambodia had its beginnings in the 1980s in an international NGO campaign to advocate an end to the aid embargo then imposed on Cambodia. Following the full restoration of development aid in 1993, the NGO Forum became Cambodian based. It began to work on a broader range of issues, such as an international ban on land mines, creation of a permanent tribunal for crimes against humanity, and concerns about the impacts of development aid. It appointed a Representative in 1995. Although based in Phnom Penh and focusing increasingly on domestic advocacy issues, the NGO Forum was still dominated by expatriates. An international Steering Committee was retained until 1996, after which the local Management Committee became the chief decision making body. From 1997 to 2001, the NGO Forum became more Cambodian in character, with meetings held predominately in Khmer and with Cambodians playing the dominant role. This reflected the growing level of responsibility taken by Cambodians in both local and international NGOs. The NGO Forum expanded its staff in order to meet more effectively the expectations of member organisations. It began to improve cooperation with NGOs based in the provinces, and to help NGOs build advocacy-linkages from the grassroots to the national level. Issues dealt with included the landmines campaign, the environment, the impact of development banks, women's rights, the growth of civil society and democracy, the strengthening of advocacy skills, and the need for policy makers to have easy access to information about Cambodia.

Value

-Human rights and justice – All of our work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people, and the rights that follow from this understanding. -Transparency and accountability – NGO Forum both provides and expects to access clear, accurate and up-to-date information. We are willing to hold ourselves to high standards and seek to hold others to similar standards as the ones we set for ourselves. -Sustainability – NGO Forum is committed to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. By empowering members, our networks and the communities they serve, we believe that the benefits of our work will be enduring. -Cooperation and partnership – We respect the wishes and requirements of our members and networks – and the communities they serve – and we endeavour to create a shared voice, working together in a manner that enables us to achieve our shared goals and live our shared values.Peace – -NGO Forum recognises that peace is about more than the absence of conflict. NGO Forum strives for concord, harmony and tranquillity – a balance of power. -Equity – NGO Forum shares it own resources fairly and wants to see that the natural and intellectual wealth of Cambodia is also distributed fairly, so that everyone is able to gain their share. We know that the success of development can be measured by how the least powerful people and the smallest minority groups are faring.

Mission

NGO Forum’s mission is to coordinate and resource members and networks of NGOs in engaging in policy dialogue, debate and advocacy with and for poor and vulnerable people in Cambodia.

Vision

NGO Forum’s vision is that well-informed citizens and civil society organisations in Cambodia positively influence pro-poor, equitable and sustainable development, supported by a transparent and accountable government.

Goal

NGO Forum’s overall goal is to ensure that citizens and civil society organisations are well-equipped to contribute and influence policy making and implementation processes for the benefit of poor and vulnerable people of Cambodia.