Preface

In this publication, NGOs working in Cambodia have provided observations and recommendations on important Cambodian development issues, reflecting on progress throughout 2003.

The NGO community in Cambodia welcomes its inclusion in the process of contributing to development policy and in assessing progress. It strives to engage in this process in a positive manner offering a pro-poor, experience-led contribution both to debates surrounding poverty reduction and through its own poverty reduction activities.

NGOs, as development institutions, can contribute much to poverty reduction plans by sharing the observations and conclusions arising from their development experience.  NGOs, in their day-to-day duties, work closely with poor and vulnerable groups and therefore are in a strong position to communicate the needs of these groups to decision-makers.

NGOs have been active in Cambodia since the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979.  Following the restoration of Western development aid in 1992, they actively contributed to meetings of the International Committee on the Reconstruction of Cambodia (ICORC), which were held each year from 1993 to 1995.  Since 1996, NGOs have attended the annual Consultative Group meetings, and each year they have presented a detailed statement on NGOs’ issues and recommendations for the development of Cambodia.  No Consultative Group meeting was held in 2003 due to the preoccupation with the national elections.  These NGO Sectoral and Issues Papers on Poverty Reduction and Development may contribute to the next Consultative Group meeting, which is expected to be held later in 2004 following the formation of a new Cambodian government.

NGOs in Cambodia hope that this publication may provoke debate and be an important reference tool for NGOs, government, donors, consultants, and development agencies seeking to contribute to poverty reduction in Cambodia.  

Acknowledgements

These NGO sectoral and issues papers were prepared through the voluntary effort of many NGOs, both local and international, based on their experience of development work in Cambodia. The NGO or NGO sectoral group which led the drafting of each sectoral paper is listed in the “List of Contributors” on the following page. Editing was coordinated by the NGO Forum on Cambodia.  The NGO Forum on Cambodia gives thanks to all NGOs who contributed to this publication.

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