Youth Star Cambodia successfully held its conference on Youth Leadership for Violence Free Communities on Wednesday 16th March, 2011. The conference highlighted the findings of a pilot program with the objective of ‘setting new norms’, supported by the UN Trust Fund for the Prevention of Gender Based Violence.

The three main program components focused on increasing education, acting on domestic violence and promoting healthy peer relationships. The peer relationship component acted as an adhesive in bringing together the other two components and producing positive results.

The pilot program elevated the personal development of the Youth Star volunteers, who were the primary beneficiaries, but additionally, the rural communities they served developed proactive measures to prevent domestic violence and create zero tolerance communities

The opening remarks were given by UN Women Program Officer, Ms Freya Larson, who commented on the incidence of violence against women and girls as widely entrenched in many cultures worldwide and cuts across all ages and economic strata. Youth Star’s Project and Process Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant, Ms. Betty Langeler presented the Lessons Learnt before three panelists shared their experiences. Each panel was followed by a Question & Answer segment. Many of the Youth Star volunteers did accentuate that time management skills helped explore strategies to attract participation from communities and consequently behaviours changed within the communities youths served as role models. Through Youth Star training in concurrence with the Karol & Setha model of training - an educational program about sexuality and relationship aimed at adolescents, young adults, couples/parents, and those serving them - the Youth Star Volunteers were able to transfer key skills to community.

The Youth Star Executive Director Ms Khemra SOM added that “We hope that the momentum and energies created by this conference will be sustained and carried forward for a long time to come.” She said she was very proud of the success of the program but emphasized on the need for more resources to continue the program on a long term basis.

H.E Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, closed the ceremony by urging everyone to play their role in promoting social morality. She congratulated Youth Star for this program approach adding that “Violence should not be responded to by the same violent means”. The need for education as a continuous lifelong process was further highlighted as a means to curb the violence witnessed in many communities. Her Excellency drew on the numerous parallels of the Pilot Program with the ‘Safe village Campaign’, which is being organized by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

Promoting social morality contributes to reducing criminal activities. She also kindly gave her time to respond to a number of reporters after the Conference.

The program achieved its goals and ‘set new norms’ and ‘creates space for youth contribution and leadership’. Communities are now learning and engaging one another on education and issues of Domestic Violence. Young men and women are working together on these issues and are increasingly considered as a positive resource to their communities.