A Decade of Progress: KAS Cambodia’s Impact (2014-2024)
Building Strong Partnerships & Advancing Governance
After two decades of building trust and forging strong partnerships, KAS Cambodia has firmly established itself as a key player in the country’s development across various sectors. Working hand in hand with the Senate, National Assembly, and several government ministries, we’ve played a vital role in advising on legislative reforms and strengthening public institutions. But our reach extends beyond government circles: KAS Cambodia has nurtured partnerships with development agencies, educational institutions, think tanks, and NGOs, fostering research and dialogue on critical issues like decentralization, electoral reform, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. In the last decade, we’ve sharpened our focus and evolved into a globally connected, domestically impactful think tank, elevating our professionalism and expanding our influence.
Strengthening Cambodia’s Foreign Relations
KAS Cambodia has been instrumental in enhancing Cambodia’s foreign relations, particularly within ASEAN, the European Union, and beyond. Collaborating with government agencies, think tanks, scholars, and embassies, KAS has actively contributed to shaping foreign policies critical to Cambodia’s development through training programs, discussions, and publications.
A flagship initiative, the Adenauer Young Scholars for Excellence (AYSE) program, was launched in partnership with the Royal University of Phnom Penh. AYSE equips young scholars with essential public policy knowledge while addressing Cambodia’s pressing issues. The program offers a comprehensive understanding of how public and private organizations shape policy creation, implementation, and evaluation.
KAS has also played a key role in strengthening Cambodia-Germany relations. Through study visits, expert dialogues, and publications, KAS fosters mutual understanding and deepens bilateral cooperation, paving the way for long-term partnerships between the two countries.
Economic Development, Sustainability, Digitalization, and Innovation*
KAS Cambodia has adapted to the country’s evolving challenges by focusing on economic development, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation. In collaboration with Oxfam, KAS helped establish the Sustainable Business Alliance, promoting sustainable business practices and advocating for a social market economy that balances free-market principles with social welfare. This initiative aims to integrate Cambodia into regional and global markets, particularly ASEAN.
Environmental sustainability remains central, with KAS supporting projects on Waste Management and Clean Energy Transition. A major milestone was the Deikar initiative on waste management, which led to the Waste Summit Cambodia, now our largest public event, drawing over 400 participants annually from the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, the private sector, and international organizations to address waste management challenges collaboratively.
In response to rapid digital transformation, KAS has led efforts to promote digital literacy and foster innovation. Through the Digital Insights publication, experts and academics explore emerging technologies and their societal impact, shaping a human-centered digital future for Cambodia.
Youth Empowerment, Journalism, and Society
KAS Cambodia, in collaboration with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Ministry of Culture, launched the *Youth and Peacebuilding Cambodia* initiative, fostering dialogue between youth and experts to deepen understanding of Cambodia’s tragic history while promoting peacebuilding for the future. German professionals contribute by sharing best practices on using memorial sites for education.
In journalism, KAS has supported the Department of Media and Communication (DMC) with scholarships, internships, and collaborative reporting projects. The Project Three documentary series, led by students, highlights diverse Cambodian stories and perspectives.
Looking ahead, the Cambodia 2040 series explores socio-economic development and technological change, complemented by the Cambodia Festival of Ideas (CFI), which brings together visionaries to inspire innovative solutions for the country’s challenges.
KAS’s commitment to youth empowerment is further demonstrated through the Political Empowerment Academy (KASPEA), designed to increase youth participation in politics, and Politikoffee, an independent platform encouraging young Cambodians to engage in socio-political discussions. These initiatives showcase KAS Cambodia’s role in shaping the next generation of leaders and thinkers.
Strengthening the Rule of Law in Cambodia
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) has played a key role in advancing Cambodia’s legal system through its Rule of Law Program. By focusing on building legal capacities, promoting judicial independence, and enhancing human rights protections, KAS Cambodia has provided essential technical assistance and training to legal professionals, working closely with law faculties and the Cambodian Bar Association.
A major initiative, Law Talks, was launched in 2008 to foster legal dialogue and academic freedom. Initially held with the Senate, it now includes law faculties, NGOs, and international experts, creating a platform for critical legal discussions.
KAS Cambodia has also published the Cambodian Constitutional Law Book (2016), making the constitution accessible to professionals, students, and citizens.
Collaboration with the Senate has enhanced legislative processes through technical support and training. Additionally, KAS promotes transparency in governance through international exchanges and key publications like the Parliamentary Handbook and Advisory Papers on Political Party Development.
Into the Future
As we embark on the next part of our journey, KAS Cambodia has once more shifted its focus to the current needs of Cambodia. Throughout the decades, we have adapted our strategies, projects and focus to include the most pressing and challenging issues that our partners identified. With Cambodia´s rapid and successful development, the ways our projects could have the most impact shifted as well. From 2024 onwards, our objectives are presented as follows:
Global Affairs & Governance
The objective of Global Affairs & Governance is to foster a sophisticated understanding of international affairs, emphasizing diplomatic strategies and the rule of law. The projects under this objective aim to bridge gaps between nations through dialogue and cooperation, ensuring that policies are not only crafted with a global perspective but also adhere to the highest standards of legal integrity. By doing so, we strive to contribute to a world where governance and global interactions are characterized by mutual respect and shared norms.
Sustainable Economy and Innovation
Our Sustainable Economy & Innovation focus area is dedicated to exploring the nexus between traditional economic frameworks and cutting-edge technological advancements. We aim to dissect and understand economic trends, fiscal policies, and market dynamics, while simultaneously fostering innovation and digitalization as key drivers of sustainable economic growth. This dual approach ensures that we are not only responding to the immediate challenges of economic development but also shaping the future of technology-led economic strategies.
Media and Society Engagement
The Media and Society Engagement objective combines communication and community to foster a more informed and engaged society. It focuses on two pillars: Media & Journalism and Society Engagement. Society Engagement empowers youth by providing platforms for civic participation, using media as a tool for education and community involvement. Media & Journalism supports the education of media-trained professionals and provides essential tools for building journalistic careers. This initiative helps shape Cambodia’s media landscape, ensuring journalism continues to play a key role in promoting transparency and civic engagement.
