Vietnam >Laos > Cambodia > Non Government Oganizations:
1- Cambodia Non Government Oganizations History:
Cambodian Non Government Organizations have been establishing in Cambodia early 1990s after all the poticial parties had signed the Paris peace agreement for cease fire and agreed to join free and fair election organized by United Nations. Following the Paris peace agreement signed on 23 October 1991, United Nations agreed to help Cambodia to rebuild the country with one of the UN most expensive peace keeping budget at USD8 Billions Dollars. They had set up United National Advanced Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC) and in 1992 set up United Nation Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). As a result, Cambodia has had its first election run in 1993. During that time, all international community have been supporting and helping Cambodia to rebuild the country through their finanical, technical supports and many Interntional and Cambodian Non Government Orgnizations have been establishing.
Some of the Cambodian Non Government Organizations have been establishing by localizing from International Non Government Organizations or as a result of their sustainble Program or Project extensions. Some Cambodian Non Government Organizations (CNGOs) have been newly establishing. Cambodian Government since then have been opened up and welcome all the support from the International Communities and Local NGOs.
2- Non Government Oganization Rigistration
International Non Government Oganization working in Cambodia has to register with Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cambodian Non Government Organization or Association has to register with Cambodian Ministry of Interior.
3- Non Government Organization Sectors
Non Government Oganizations in Cambodia first started their work as the emergeny relief to help Cambodian refugees who returned back in Cambodia under UN supporting program ater the Paris peace agreement was signed. After the general election in 1993, Cambodia had it's first elected government, Non Government Organizations started have been contributing their work for developmening Cambodia by focusing on rural development, educations, health sectors including HIV/AIDS program, Reprodcution Health Security and Birth Space Control, Vaccine and Malaria etc.,
4- Type of NGOs
There are two types of non governemtn organizations in Cambodia.
A- Non government organizations work at national level such as: SILAKA, Church World Service (CWS), American Friend Services in Cambodia (AFSC), and in Laos, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), PACT, Working Group for Weapon Reduction (WGWR), Youth Resource Development Program (YRDP), Youth For Peace (YFP), Action Conflict Transformation (ACT). These non government mostly works on policies and support their funds to community based NGOs as their implementing agency.
B- Non government organizations worka at grass root level and they are referred to as community based organizations such as Friend Economic Development Association (FEDA), Thean Thor (HIV/AIDS) organization, Banteay Srei Organization, Trail Blaizer Foundation etc., They work at the community level for rural development, to improve educations and health sector.
5- Organizational Structures
Below is the common structures of Non Government Organizations in Cambodia:
Board of Director (BoD)
Board of Director is the top body of the organization to overlook the organization, ensure the transparency, accountability of the oganization to the public, beneficiary and the donors. Board of Director (BoD) also participate in fund raising activities, represent the NGOs in the public and making policies for the organization. Board of Director consists of minimum 3 members for a small organization to a larger member for a bigger organization. Board of Director should has odd number for easy voting system. Board of Director (BoD) should has less than 50% expat and more than 50% Cambodian people. So to represent the national interest. Board of Director can hire and fire Executive Director of the Organization but do not interphere in daily operation of the organization.
Executive Director
Executive Director is hired by the Board Director of the organization to be in charge of day to day operation of the organization of the NGOs. Making the project proposal and submit to the board, in charge of the project implementation, and making strategic planning and budget plan for the organization, manage the staffs including hire and fire staffs with input from the BoD. Executive Director can also participate in fund raising activities, represent the NGOs in the public, held accountable, transparency and responsible for the organization to the public, beneficiary and donors.
Executive Director should form a Management Committee through the meeting and approval from the Board of Director. But the Management Committee should be led by Executive Director. In some organizations, the Management Committee is called Administrative Committe and the members can be Administrative Officers, all Project Officers, Chief Information Officer. For a larger organization, the Management Committee should have more members from other departments.
The above are two important top body to lead an organization. Some large organizations should have Financial Committee incluing Financial Officer and Financial Advisor as members. Financial Advisor can be a national consultant or international consultant.
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