KOICA-Supported Project Transforms Cambodian Students into Plastic Waste Advocates

In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, hundreds of high school students worked for weeks to document plastic pollution in their neighborhoods as part of an innovative environmental program supported by KOICA. By turning their cameras into powerful advocacy tools, the students exposed the environmental issues within their own communities. This youth-focused initiative, jointly organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Cambodia Office, the Cambodia-Korea Alumni Association (CAMKAA), and the Phnom Penh Department of Environment, culminated in a photo exhibition and award ceremony held at Chea Sim Samaki High School on 26 Haziran. The organizers emphasized that this event was designed not only to reward an artistic achievement but also to turn students into active participants in solving Cambodia's growing environmental problems. Having learned to identify plastic pollution in their own living environments, the youth found the opportunity to produce solutions to these problems and raise social awareness through photography.

The key phase of the project started with an 11-day comprehensive training held between 1-11 Haziran, with the participation of a total of 200 students from five different Phnom Penh high schools. Throughout this training, students from Trapeang Sala High School, Hun Sen Chumpuvorn High School, Beoung Brei High School, Preah Sisowath High School, and Chea Sim Samaki High School were simultaneously taught environmental issues and basic photography skills. Following this training, between 12-19 Haziran, students went out to the field, finding the opportunity to closely examine plastic waste and general environmental conditions in their own neighborhoods. The photographs taken by the students during these field studies were carefully prepared to be submitted for jury evaluation. Having completed their shoots, the youth not only documented the problems but also gained the power to convey their environmental messages to wider audiences through these images.

The photographs obtained as a result of the students' field studies were meticulously examined by a joint evaluation committee consisting of officials from CAMKAA and the Phnom Penh Department of Environment (PPDE). In the evaluation, the photographs were evaluated considering various criteria such as environmental relevance, technical quality, and originality, and the finalists were determined. The best photographs of the students were exhibited at the organized exhibition, and these images revealed both how widespread plastic pollution is and the efforts of local communities regarding waste reduction. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition and award ceremony, KOICA Cambodia Office Deputy President Lee Sejin reaffirmed the institution's commitment to supporting youth development through environmental education. Lee Sejin stated that if equipped with environmental knowledge and practical skills, youth could transform into responsible citizens who can contribute to Cambodia's sustainable development.

Approximately 250 participants, including students, teachers, school administrators, government representatives, stakeholders related to environmental issues, and development partners, attended the award ceremony organized as part of the event. At the ceremony, environmentally friendly and highly practical awards were given to the successful student photographs that highlighted creativity and environmental awareness. The awarded schools were gifted 1.000-liter water tanks, 600-liter water cubes, and 120-liter trash bins to strengthen their waste and water management practices. The organizers stated that these awards not only appreciated the students' creativity but also provided tangible support that would directly improve school environments. Furthermore, it was emphasized that such engagements at the school level help eco-friendly behaviors spread from the classroom environment to households and the general society.

This meaningful initiative will not end with the conclusion of the exhibition and award ceremony on 26 Haziran and will continue to have a long-term impact. The selected student photographs will be exhibited to approximately 300 participants at the Cambodia-Korea Alumni Gathering, planned to be held in 2026, and will reach a wide audience. This event, which will bring together representatives of the South Korean Embassy and various Cambodia-Korea alumni networks, will create a significant opportunity for the youth to make their voices regarding environmental protection heard by much wider audiences. Officials believe that presenting the students' work to a broader audience will also strengthen the cooperation between Cambodia and South Korea in promoting sustainable development. All these phases demonstrate the success of this environmental education model, which enables the youth to become powerful advocates for reducing plastic waste through observation, creativity, and public awareness.