The NGO community in Cambodia, comprising local and international organizations, has made significant contributions to the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of Cambodia since the early 1980's. In the early 1990's, with the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement, nationally held democratic elections and the reintegration of Cambodia to the international community, the number of international NGOs expanded greatly and the first local NGOs were formed as part of the emerging civil society of Cambodia.
The role of NGOs in the development and reform of Cambodia in recent years can not be understated. The number of international NGOs in Cambodia has grown from less than 25 NGOs in the 1980's to around 200 in the year 2000. Even more dramatic is the increasing number in local NGOs and associations formally registered with the Royal Government of Cambodia, from the first local NGO in 1991 to a reported 600 organizations in the year 2000. While NGOs play a major role in providing basic social services, often in remote areas and communities, NGOs also bring alternative models and approaches to development, emphasing participation, equity, gender sensitivity and environmental sustainability. NGOs have been instrumental in advocating for national reforms that pave the way for improvements in health, education, human rights, legal system, social services, environment and women and children's rights.
International NGO activities can be broadly classified into four main categories:
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Large scale service delivery dependent on bilateral and mulitilateral funding and implemented by large NGOs with experience in reconstruction and infrastructure development
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Service delivery in conjunction with government institutions working through local structures and providing institutional capacity building, especially at provincial, district and commune levels.
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Community development activities carried out by well established NGOs with experience in working at the village level to tackle the basic causes of poverty
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Development of local NGOs and community based organizations, encouraged and directly supported by international NGOs, includes direct funding and capacity building through training.
Local NGO activities can be broadly classified into four main categories:
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Democracy and Human Rights organizations committed to promoting democratic principles and respect for human rights through policy, training and other advocacy work.
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Development organizations involved in education, health, credit, income generating and other rural development activities aimed at improving the lives of poor people.
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Support Service organizations focusing on human resource and organization
development training activities, as well as facilitating networking and advocacy related activities.
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Community based associations and organizations that are taking a more active role in participating and directly managing their own development processes.
Cambodia is developing at such a rapid pace that new challenges and issues are always emerging. The NGO community recognizes that it too must grow and adapt with the changing situation. NGOs look to further strengthen their partnerships with government institutions, local NGOs and communities and to more effectively link with national development programs, particularly those aimed at the vulnerable and poor. Cambodian NGOs are vital in promoting local involvement in the development processes that shape communities and require long term capacity building efforts. Cambodian NGOs play an even more critical role in monitoring and advocating for true reforms aimed at improving the quality of life for Cambodians.
Just as the Cambodian Government continues to develop and improve its democratic institutions and processes, so too will NGOs need to focus on strengthening their own governance structures and management systems. NGOs will also need to continue to dialogue and perhaps explore models of self-regulation and accreditation that increasingly emphasize accountability and transparency, particularly to the communities and people they serve.
NGO
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
NGOs
seek to work in collaboration and consultation with the
Royal Government of Cambodia in an open and transparent
manner. To achieve this a legal framework is necessary
to facilitate the work of NGOs, and promote an active
and robust civil society, consistent with the
constitutionally enshrined principle of pluralism.
The
challenge for Cambodia is to develop an NGO legal
framework that will protect NGOs and promote the
constitutional guarantee of freedom of association,
whilst at the same time ensuring transparency and
accountability. A law permitting NGOs to operate and
exist freely is imperative to the full and meaningful
implementation of the constitutional guarantee of
freedom of association. An effective law, applicable to
the many different circumstances under which NGOs
operate, can only be achieved in consultation With the
NGO community.
It
is essential that NGOs can be freely established and
operate without undue constraints. A law on
NGO's associations
should provide for full participation of NGOs and
associations in Cambodian society, and assure the
existence of a strong, independent and vigorous NGO
section This will strengthen the capacity of NGOs and
associations to mediate between individuals and the
state, to inform public debate, and to enhance
government accountability.
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Graph 1: Summary of NGO Contributions ( US $ 000's)
Sources: NGO Statement to the 1997 Consultative Group Meeting on
Cambodia, Non-Governmental Organizations in Cambodia
1998 by Council for the Development of Cambodia, 1998-99
Development Cooperation Report for Cambodia by CDC, 1999
Cambodian NGO Resource Directory by Ponlok
Graph 2: Number of NGOs in Cambodia

Source: CCC Humanitarian
Assistance and Cambodia NGO Directories, CDC database
NGO Projects in Cambodia

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