DEMOCRACY IMPROVING

The 13th Training course

Successfully finishing the four weeks of the course on Democracy and a full day workshop on Art of Fundraising, Students’ Movement for Democracy SMD on July 08, 2007 opened its 13th Training course presided over by Mr. Mom Sonongdo, president of Radio FM 105. 20 students (15 women) from universities in Phnom Penh are selected

A student asks Mr. Mom Sonondo question Mr. Mom Sonondo answers participant’s question

This new course was broadcasted on Radio FM 105 on the same day. On the purpose of promoting democracy and human rights respect in Cambodia, SMD always invites the important figures from NGOs and lawmakers to present young Cambodian youth the process of implementing democracy and human rights respect in Cambodia. More importantly, we would like to encourage youth to actively participate in social work or social activities.

SMD activists’ participation in collecting petition

On July 9, 2007, Mr. Sorn Sarath, Secretary General of SMD led five SMD networks to participate in collecting petition to protest back- coming of Monk Tann Kongly.

Mr. Sorn Sarath is examining document SMS networks is collecting petition

A hundred of people who live in Boh Angkang village, Prek Eng commune, Kean Svay district, Kandal Province are led by Ms. Phon Sopheap to came in frond of Wat Khemarak Ram, called Wat Thmey (located above address) to conduct demonstration against monk Tann Kongly , who has planned to come back to be as pagoda officer after ousted last year.

Ms. Phon Sopheap is lobbying people. People come to have their sump printing

Monk Tann Kongly has been accused of intentional homicide, using illegal weapon and other wrong doing, but recently he is permitted to come back to stay in this pagoda by Oknha Ing Bunhov (this pagoda is built by Ing Bunhov) and monk officer, Tep Vong, people said.

They added that the weapon AK Nº1921610 with 67 bullets is provided by Oknha
Ing Bunhov’s gard name Yak.

SMD’S MISSION IN DOING FUNDRAISING

Finishing a full day workshop on Art of Asking – Fundraising, Students’ Movement for Democracy (SMD) on June 18, 2007 led 10 students to research the living condition of the former Sambokchap villagers, who have been evacuated from their home by Phnom Penh Authority.

On July 2, 2007, SMD led thirty students to do fundraising in markets and along the roads in Phnom Penh in order to collect money to help people who have been evacuated. The activity was lasted for two hours which was divided into three groups. While collecting, students were banned by authority; however, we are still continuing our job. Finally, we finished the job successfully with amount of
63,3200 Riel.

After successfully finishing collecting for two hours, all participants have planned to do again for the next time because they think that what they have received is just only the small amount and not enough. Students’ Movement for Democracy on the same day, decided to do fundraising every two months after finishing four-weed training course on Democracy.