Below is extract of interview about the roles of youth in Extractive Industry in Cambodia with HE. Mr. Meng Saktheara, Secretary of State of Mines and Energy, by the TVK’s program for Modernization of Cambodia.
Question:
1.) Within this sector, do you see any significant roles of youth to in contributing to governance this sector?
Answer:
Focus on youth is important not only for government but also the industry. Youth participation is for the best interest of youth themselves too. More importantly, youth empowerment and engagement in the EI sector is very crucial in bringing about changes in quality of social welfare and equitable development resulting from resources extraction. Youth must engage actively and smartly in the process of EI sector governance for the following good reasons:
1/ Minerals, oil and gas resources are definite resources that should be carefully used for inter-generations.
2/ Being a start up in economic life, youth is the most affected group by the economic opportunities created by EI projects. They can be affected negatively by competitions in access to resources, dispossession, or exploitation or positively by creation of descend employments and various economic opportunities or they can be indirectly affected by mismanagement of state’s wealth / revenues collected from EI sector.
In the context of Cambodia, being the youngest population in south east Asia and especially when young people are facing an employment constrained economy, youth are playing important roles in promoting rights-based development around EI sector. But giving such important role, the main duty of youth is not protesting against EI based or letting to be trapped in extreme conservative ideology, but rather to build up their capacity and unlock their potential to participate and grasp economic opportunities created by EI. They need to understand what are their lawful rights, and what they should do help promote and defend to those rights. This action changes business corporate strategies and keeps the government accountable for creating sustainability.
2.) To do that, what should be the entry points you may suggest?
I think, firstly, is to build interests in EI sector and understanding about this industry. It is imperative that youth must be very well informed and accessible to necessary information for effective and productive participation in the process of policy formulation and decision. Secondly, is to be engaged in actively and smartly manner in a process of policy dialogues at all levels and from planning to implementation. Youth engagement shall be all key three sector players: in the public sector, such government, or in industry or in civil society organizations.
3.) Youth are visioning that natural resource management will be governed in accountable manner where the extraction of the resources are properly seek consultation and consent from affected communities. What are good things about this vision?
Answer:
I think, Accountability is merely a political word. Good thing? It bring More NGOs to teach us about accountable manner. I think, none government in the world are envisioning acting unaccountably. In reality, there is two important questions when it comes to EI governance:
1/ trust; no trust no accountability;
2/ what are most suitable and pragmatic governance solutions for inclusive, sustainable and efficient development of such precious and definite resources.
Addressing these above questions is fundamental backbone of the current reform initiatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy within this mandate. The key reform areas related to this question are:
1/ transformation of governance system to multi stakeholder approach governance of EI sector;
2/ promote inclusivity, empower and engage local community at every steps of EI decision process based on a principle of Free Prior Informed and Consent;
For this reform possible it needs transparency and engagement. In order for all key stakeholders participate constructively and effectively they need information and to be well informed about the sector. Secondly, they need to build strong interest and fully engage in the process.
4.) What are the suggestions that you would like to make in order to ensure that youth involvement will surely contribute to current and future development of this country?
Answer:
As for ensuring that youth involvement will surely contribute to current and future development of this country, the sector development agenda must be centered in three important areas:
1/ promoting shared value principle in business corporate strategy and creating inclusive business models
2/ developing skill and know how
3/ developing institutional capacity at grass root level and improving regulatory and policy framework to foster inclusivity and creation of business opportunities for youth.
5.) Giving your leadership role in this sector, what you would think to manage involvement of youth in this sector?
Answer:
I think the key words involved with how to manage youth involvement in this sector would be:
1/ transparency, in particular the disclose of information and opportunities to build capacity;
2/ inclusivity;
3/ multi stakeholders approach: consultation dialogue and networking;
4/ right based development: duty bearers vs right holders;
5/ clear roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders.
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