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Cambodian Government Expresses appreciation and support for CCIM

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Published on Thursday, 07 June 2012 04:49

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The Cambodian government has praised CCIM for two of its recent projects in good governance and freedom of information.

In 2011 CCIM ran public forums in 10 communes across Cambodia to give individuals and communities a voice to speak to their elected representatives.

The forums were broadcast on-air and listeners were invited to call in to discuss the issues raised.

The aim of the Community Voices on Air program was to improve information and dialogue between authorities and people with the aim of promoting democracy at the commune level.

In a letter to CCIM dated 25th May 2012, the Chairman of the Commission on Economic, Finance, Banking and Audit of the National Assembly Mr Cheam Yeab, thanked CCIM for the project, calling it “important and relevant” in building the capacity of local officers to establish effective government.

Mr Cheam said the program had made a positive contribution to the sensitive process of improving democratic governance in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak, says CCIM’s report on Freedom of Information laws has helped raise awareness of the issue among his government colleagues.
Mr Khieu wrote a letter congratulating CCIM for its Freedom of Information report, which he received a copy of in April.

Cambodia is currently without a Freedom of Information law, and CCIM is hoping to increase the support of the public, the media and NGOs to lobby the government to introduce one.
The policy brief included the results of a survey of public attitudes to Freedom of Information, which found overwhelming support for improved access to information.

In the letter, Mr Khieu says the report is well-written, serves the media well, and aligns with the government’s own work on the issue.

*The Community Voices on Air program was sponsored by the Asia Foundation.

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Click HERE to view letter from Mr Cheam Yeab

Click HERE to view letter from Mr Khieu Sopheak