Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PHNOMPENH271
2009-04-29 09:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:
ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH FOR EARTH DAY 2009 AND BEYOND
how-toVZCZCXRO1740 RR RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHPF #0271 1190927 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 290927Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0642 INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 2703 RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000271
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, OES
BANGKOK FOR REO/HHOWARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV CB
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH FOR EARTH DAY 2009 AND BEYOND
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000271
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, OES
BANGKOK FOR REO/HHOWARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV CB
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH FOR EARTH DAY 2009 AND BEYOND
1. SUMMARY. Embassy Phnom Penh celebrated Earth Day 2009 through
two outreach events that promoted environmental awareness and
conservation and celebrated Cambodia's biodiversity. On April 22,
the DCM discussed environmental challenges and participated in a
community cleanup event with university and high school students in
Kampong Cham. On April 25, the Ambassador hosted about 80
elementary school students for an Earth Day celebration at the
embassy, where the students unveiled murals based on environmental
drawings they had created. Outreach activities like these help to
address the relatively low awareness of environmental issues in
Cambodia and the impact that individuals can have on their
surroundings. The embassy plans to continue reinforcing the
important messages delivered in recognition of Earth Day through
ongoing and future outreach activities. END SUMMARY.
STUDENTS DISCUSS CONSERVATION IN KAMPONG CHAM
--------------
2. On April 22, the DCM met with a group of approximately 60
university and high school students at the University of Management
and Economics' American Corner in Kampong Cham Province to discuss
environmental challenges and awareness in Cambodia. The students
represented a mix of English Access Microscholarship recipients and
members of the local English language club. The DCM, switching
freely between English and Khmer, fielded questions about the
importance of conservation, USG environmental programs in Cambodia,
and how other countries were addressing environmental challenges.
The DCM noted that as Cambodian citizens, the students were the
owners of the country's natural resources, and he encouraged them to
think about ways that they could help to protect those resources.
Following the session, the DCM accompanied the students to Wat Nokor
Bachey, an Angkorian-era temple outside of Kampong Cham town, to
pick up litter and continue their discussions.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE CAMBODIA'S BIODIVERSITY
-------------- --
3. On April 25, the Ambassador hosted almost 80 students from two
local elementary schools and an NGO program for AIDS orphans and
children suffering from HIV/AIDS at the embassy for a second Earth
Day event celebrating Cambodia's biodiversity. Several weeks before
the event, the students submitted drawings of Cambodian
environmental scenes, which a non-profit Cambodian art school then
converted into large, colorful murals using oil paints on tin
roofing material. The Ambassador and the students unveiled the 6' X
6' murals at the event.
4. The students discussed their paintings with the Ambassador,
played games with American and Cambodian embassy staff, and received
Cambodia-U.S. friendship backpacks supplied by ODC with art supplies
supplied by PAO in appreciation for their participation. Local
journalists attended the event and interviewed the Ambassador on
environmental challenges in Cambodia. The event received positive
coverage in all the major Khmer-language newspapers and was featured
on the highest-rated Cambodian television network.
MOVING BEYOND EARTH DAY
--------------
5. COMMENT: Environmental issues in Cambodia stem from RGC
prioritization of development over conservation, lack of funding for
basic services like trash removal, and low public awareness of
environmental issues and the impacts, both positive and negative,
that individuals can have on their surroundings. While the first
two challenges are more difficult to tackle, promoting interest in
environmental issues is a relatively simple and effective activity
in Cambodia.
6. Embassy Phnom Penh plans to continue promoting the messages of
environmental conservation and stewardship introduced in our Earth
Day activities. For example, we are working with the Ministry of
Environment to develop activities for Cambodian Environment Week May
31 - June 5.
7. The embassy also recently formed a Green Team to explore ways
the mission can improve its own environmental footprint. Green Team
members take turns writing environmentally-themed articles, which
are posted on the embassy's website in English and Khmer. Ripple
effects from this initiative have already been seen as one article
on plastic bottle use has been featured in the country's highest
circulation daily. END COMMENT.
RODLEY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, OES
BANGKOK FOR REO/HHOWARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV CB
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH FOR EARTH DAY 2009 AND BEYOND
1. SUMMARY. Embassy Phnom Penh celebrated Earth Day 2009 through
two outreach events that promoted environmental awareness and
conservation and celebrated Cambodia's biodiversity. On April 22,
the DCM discussed environmental challenges and participated in a
community cleanup event with university and high school students in
Kampong Cham. On April 25, the Ambassador hosted about 80
elementary school students for an Earth Day celebration at the
embassy, where the students unveiled murals based on environmental
drawings they had created. Outreach activities like these help to
address the relatively low awareness of environmental issues in
Cambodia and the impact that individuals can have on their
surroundings. The embassy plans to continue reinforcing the
important messages delivered in recognition of Earth Day through
ongoing and future outreach activities. END SUMMARY.
STUDENTS DISCUSS CONSERVATION IN KAMPONG CHAM
--------------
2. On April 22, the DCM met with a group of approximately 60
university and high school students at the University of Management
and Economics' American Corner in Kampong Cham Province to discuss
environmental challenges and awareness in Cambodia. The students
represented a mix of English Access Microscholarship recipients and
members of the local English language club. The DCM, switching
freely between English and Khmer, fielded questions about the
importance of conservation, USG environmental programs in Cambodia,
and how other countries were addressing environmental challenges.
The DCM noted that as Cambodian citizens, the students were the
owners of the country's natural resources, and he encouraged them to
think about ways that they could help to protect those resources.
Following the session, the DCM accompanied the students to Wat Nokor
Bachey, an Angkorian-era temple outside of Kampong Cham town, to
pick up litter and continue their discussions.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE CAMBODIA'S BIODIVERSITY
-------------- --
3. On April 25, the Ambassador hosted almost 80 students from two
local elementary schools and an NGO program for AIDS orphans and
children suffering from HIV/AIDS at the embassy for a second Earth
Day event celebrating Cambodia's biodiversity. Several weeks before
the event, the students submitted drawings of Cambodian
environmental scenes, which a non-profit Cambodian art school then
converted into large, colorful murals using oil paints on tin
roofing material. The Ambassador and the students unveiled the 6' X
6' murals at the event.
4. The students discussed their paintings with the Ambassador,
played games with American and Cambodian embassy staff, and received
Cambodia-U.S. friendship backpacks supplied by ODC with art supplies
supplied by PAO in appreciation for their participation. Local
journalists attended the event and interviewed the Ambassador on
environmental challenges in Cambodia. The event received positive
coverage in all the major Khmer-language newspapers and was featured
on the highest-rated Cambodian television network.
MOVING BEYOND EARTH DAY
--------------
5. COMMENT: Environmental issues in Cambodia stem from RGC
prioritization of development over conservation, lack of funding for
basic services like trash removal, and low public awareness of
environmental issues and the impacts, both positive and negative,
that individuals can have on their surroundings. While the first
two challenges are more difficult to tackle, promoting interest in
environmental issues is a relatively simple and effective activity
in Cambodia.
6. Embassy Phnom Penh plans to continue promoting the messages of
environmental conservation and stewardship introduced in our Earth
Day activities. For example, we are working with the Ministry of
Environment to develop activities for Cambodian Environment Week May
31 - June 5.
7. The embassy also recently formed a Green Team to explore ways
the mission can improve its own environmental footprint. Green Team
members take turns writing environmentally-themed articles, which
are posted on the embassy's website in English and Khmer. Ripple
effects from this initiative have already been seen as one article
on plastic bottle use has been featured in the country's highest
circulation daily. END COMMENT.
RODLEY