For several months we had been planning a workshop, supported by the cultural diplomacy team from the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. The workshop took place at the American Cambodia Centre (AmCam), in the Exchange Mall, near the U.S. Embassy in the capital Phnom Penh. It brought together 27 participants from several partner organisations (Indochina Starfish Foundation, COMPAT and Zero Waste Cambodia) and youth leaders supported by the U.S. Embassy discussed the SDGs, Climate Change and its effects in Cambodia (droughts, changing seasons, flooding, intense storms etc.), as well as the disastrous effects of deforestation (64% of Cambodia’s forested areas depleted since 2013), and the severity of the plastic waste pollution in the Mekong river and indeed all bodies of water in Cambodia. We’d particularly like to express our thanks to U.S. Embassy staff for helping to organise the activities. Special thanks to Amparo Garcia, Victor and Eng Po.
On day 1 of our 2-day workshop, we planned a Fair Play football session in the afternoon. U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy was all set to join the session. Our team and participants were excited by his presence but also slightly nervous. The outdoor football facility had been booked from 2 to 4pm, directly in the middle of the afternoon sun – the hottest time of day. Arriving at the field, we saw that the side-line and creeping onto the field too (see photo below), was covered in mostly empty plastic water bottles from the previous evenings’ matches. We were both saddened and also delighted by this littering,
You see, our football game is about fair play and we build in climate and other handicaps, one of them involves plastic rubbish being tipped onto the field of play. Participants have to navigate a field full of plastic waste that should remind them of what humanity is doing to the environment. Another handicap is that all men have to leave the field of play and only women can play. This is our gender equality handicap. We reflect upon such incidents with the participants. It is experiential learning.
I am here to make a pledge to fight climate change. I pledge to lead my U.S. Mission of 1000 workers and family members to turn it off! We are going to reduce our electricity use to help save the planet.
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy
The Ambassador arrived, to the surprise of many he was dressed in his U.S Soccer kit. He spoke to the participants, gave a statement, made a pledge (see above), signed The Ball, played in our fair play football session and also stayed for selfies. What a good sport!
Participant Voices
To get to know SOF is very important to me. The workshop was great. The participants became aware of sustainable development. All that I have seen and learned in the workshop I would like to integrate into my organisation’s work by reducing the organic waste and preventing plastic waste from flowing into the ocean.
Kim Hang
I commit myself to share my knowledge with my family. I want my family to be green. Then afterwards my community will be green and then all the world will be green.
Ihm Sofia Mahar
I pledge to stop using plastic
Sok Ranya
We need to plant more trees
Mon Sok Kiok
I pledge I will not participate in deforestation because I love the forest and mountains and I especially love camping.
Wod Thona
I pledge to make changes in my own life to improve the environment including using less plastic and using more public transportation.
Sandra Lou
I pledge to minimise my use of plastic, and to save the environment by composting.
Lok