Population growth and changing lifestyles are resulting in an increasing amount of waste, the management of which poses a challenge for many countries, as well as in Cambodia. This dossier aims to acknowledge the existing potential in Cambodia in terms of sustainable waste management. The potential of Cambodian’s civil society, especially women, who are indispensable for the transformation of Cambodia's waste management and who are already in the process of doing so.

This dossier provides insight into the civil society sector in Cambodia. It illustrates the work and achievements of NGOs, CSOs, and individuals working under ever-shrinking spaces for civic action in the country.

Energy status In a nutshell  In 2004, Cambodia's electricity grid was dominated by fossil fuels -primarily heavy-fuel oil and diesel; by 2013, it was completely transformed with 82% renewable sources: mostly hydropower. This essential progression may indeed reverse: Cambodia plans to import coal power from Laos to meet its demand in 2030, thereby increasing - to 74% or 3/4s - the electricity in its national grid from non-renewable sources. While Cambodia is moving in this direction, the government has also committed to net-zero by 2050, making this plan difficult to achieve as energy emissions keep increasing.    

The mineral industry sector is the cause of conflict in various karst regions in Indonesia as companies are keen to exploit natural resources to make cement. But the science of exploring caves – speleology – can help local communities understand the potential of their unique landscapes, contribute to furthering local solidarity, and empower them to make clearer decisions about mining in their areas.

Increase in domestic violence, lay-offs, care responsibilities, restrictions on domestic and international movement, economic insecurities, psychological burdens - these are just a few of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Asia in the last two years. The gendered nature of COVID-19 impacts is obvious and has sparked large feminist responses in the region.

We declare our full solidarity with Ukraine. We stand by the side of our Ukrainian partners and colleagues and, at the same time, by the side of our partners in Russian civil society who are beset by harsh repression.

We are experiencing two very different pandemic realities between low-income and high-income countries. Unfortunately, instead of seeking a solidarity-based response, the international community has once again demonstrated its disunity in this health crisis. The task now is to regain credibility and rebuild trust.

As environmental activists are silenced around them, a group of Kuy grandfathers have taken matters into their own hands and are reversing a global trend in a bid to keep their ancient culture alive.

Congratulations from the team of hbs Cambodia to Prof. Dr. Imme Scholz and Jan Philipp Albrecht for being elected by a large majority of the Foundation’s Member Assembly as new Foundation Presidents on 04th December 2021. They will take office as of 1 April 2022 and 1 June 2022, respectively.

What is trauma? “Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of cir- cumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emo- tionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administra- tion (SAMHSA), U.S.A.