 |
 |
|
|
|
About Cambodia
|
 |
 Cambodia is four
times larger than The Netherlands and has a monarchy that goes back to the time of the glorious Angkor Wat temples (700-1300 AC). History shows that Siam (Thai), Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer (Cambodians) leaders searched for power. In 1863 France annexed Cambodia together with Vietnam and Laos into Indochina. Agriculture was and is still very important to Cambodia. In the 1950-ish Cambodia was called the rice-barn of Asia.
In the early 1970’s the Vietnam War spilled over the border into Cambodia leading to a bloody coup which deposed Sihanouk, then prime minister. Following a five-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured the capital Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced hardships causing almost the total annihilation of educated people including engineers, teachers and doctors. In 1979 the Vietnamese drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside and sparked off almost 20 years of fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normality, as did the rapid diminishment of the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and death of Pol Pot resulted in the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces in the same year.
Currently the annual GNP per capita is €490.- (US$606) per year, which shows that the majority of the population live under the poverty line of US$1 (€0.80) per day.
On the brighter side, a new generation of dedicated young Cambodians are eager to leapfrog the "lost years" of neglect and strife. 50% of the young generation is under 21 years of age. These motivated youngsters are filling the classrooms at universities, technical and other vocational training schools, for who can afford it.
The future challenge for Cambodia is to create enough employment to offer their young generation a change to really push their country forward. Only the Cambodians can make a real difference for Cambodia. Close cooperation can be the bridge to independency, professionalism and success.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
