"Making
Commitments Matter!” The theme for International Youth
Day 2005 could not have been more appropriate for the Cambodian
Red Cross Youth.
As a group, youth are among the most vulnerable in Cambodia,
receiving little support to help them cope with the rising tide
of social problems surrounding them in their communities. With
a network of over 5600 youth across Cambodia, CRC Youth sees
itself as powerful vehicle to raise the voices of young people
on humanitarian issues relevant to their lives; voices that
are loud and clear enough for the leaders of today to sit up,
take notice and commit to change.
With this goal in mind, on August 12, 2005, 44 CRC Youth from
nine schools in the capital Phnom Penh gathered together on
a TV soundstage for an afternoon of performing arts, fun and
friendship The objective: to creatively disseminate the issues
that are concerning and affecting youth in Cambodia through
song, poetry, dance, and drama. A competitive element was introduced
to spice up the event, with the best performances receiving
special gifts. The crowd of over 200 people was lively, cheering
on their favorite acts, which touched upon such pressing issues
as humanitarian actions, road safety, and drug abuse. The entire
event was recorded and broadcast to an estimated 50,000 viewers
nationwide during prime time on one of the most popular Cambodian
TV stations.
Most inspiring to all who attended was the way in which the
CRC Youth incorporated the Red Cross/Red Crescent principles
and humanitarian ideals into their performances as solutions
to many of the problems facing young people. As the Youth Manager
of CRC states, it is precisely this conviction of the Cambodian
Red Cross Youth, this belief in the power and relevance of the
RC/RC principles to their lives, which will generate momentum
for change and hold leaders to their commitments. If youth stand
up and their voices are heard, they truly will have the power
to move the world.
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