“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”. (Nelson Mandela).
At the new Connexion complex in Koh Pich, the OCIC Group (Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation Ltd) and the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg signed a second “supportive, meaningful and sustainable” Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Much more than just a signing ceremony, this partnership marks the continuation of major projects that will benefit communities by promoting the academic and professional development of young women in Cambodia.
Collaboration between the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg and the OCIC Group
The mission of the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg is to provide high quality education and housing for disadvantaged young women, supporting them through education but also through their first professional experiences. Building on their first collaboration, with the ‘Green Oasis’ initiative inaugurated on Earth Day, 22 April 2024, with the aim of planting one million trees in Cambodia, particularly in urban areas, the OCIC Group and the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg now wish to invest in projects with a professional resonance.
Vision
This new partnership aims to broaden opportunities by offering students a practical insight into the industry and the profession, as well as hands-on experience in sustainable projects.
The aim of this second memorandum of understanding is to accompany young Cambodian girls and women on their post-baccalaureate journey, to support them in their learning and practice, but also to help them in their understanding of their professional future thanks to OCIC's connections with its partners. In particular, it is through internships that the group hopes to open doors to opportunities and integration into the world of work.
Therefore, building on their previous collaboration on the ‘Green Oasis’ community project, this new Memorandum of Understanding reinforces the commitment of the OCIC Group and the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg to sustainable development and excellence in education.
The importance of supporting young people
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the foundation of progress, in every society, in every family”, said Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
According to the OCIC Group's vision, “the youth of today create the leaders and builders of tomorrow”. By supporting various NGOs, in particular Toutes à l'École Luxembourg, but also thanks to the commitment and support of other NGOs and institutions present at the event, such as Enfants d'Asie, Passerelles numériques, the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology and CamTech University, the OCIC group hopes to help these young people connect, create opportunities for themselves and, above all, believe in their potential and their projects.
“Education is the key to a better future. We believe that these young women can have a significant impact in Cambodia”, says Sokha MOV, National Director of the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg.
She continued: “Thanks to this partnership, we are opening new doors for our students, offering them the opportunities they need to flourish in their professional lives”.
Students from Toutes à l'école Luxembourg were also able to testify to the positive impact that the NGO has had, such as Sokly AN, a student at the Royal University of Law and Economic Sciences.
“I believe in the potential of our incredibly active women in most sectors of activity. And I'm proud to be part of this adventure”, says Sokha.
In her view, these projects between the OCIC Group and the NGO Toutes à l'École Luxembourg are deeply inspiring in terms of the Group's support for young women in the professional world.
1st Connexion Talks
The event continued with talks by various professionals based in Cambodia. The young people in attendance were able to identify with the inspiring stories and experiences of their peers, as well as receiving feedback from the speakers.
The discussions began with Kim TOL TAN, CEO and Founder of Growth4Growth and Women shaping Cambodia. Born in Cambodia, she had to go into exile in the United States during the Khmer Rouge period before returning to the Kingdom, where she has now been living for five years.
Between suffering, exile and refugee camps, this now influential woman shared not only her youth, but also her vision for young women of the “positive mindset” and the notion of resilience as a way of looking to the future and creating opportunities.
Between suffering, exile and refugee camps, this now influential woman shared not only her youth, but also her vision for young women of the ‘positive mindset’ and the notion of resilience as a way of looking to the future and creating opportunities.
“The future belongs to you. Within each of you lies incredible power, the power of resilience, of determination, of a state of mind that refuses to be limited by circumstances”, she says.
Lea BOGATIN, Managing Director of Linx-International and originally from Slovenia, then shared her professional experiences, doubts and successes in Cambodia.
“The market may change, but with a spirit of innovation and diversified skills, you will be the chameleon that thrives in any sector or environment”, she says.
Finally, Thierry TEA, Vice-President of the OCIC Group, shared the experience of his youth as a Franco-Khmer in France and his desire to contribute to the Kingdom's economic development in multiple sectors through different projects. With more than 85% women in the audience, Thierry TEA emphasised the unique role of each woman in the world and particularly here in Cambodia.
‘“Personal fulfilment comes from leaving our comfort zone, and progress from sharing and communicating with others”, says Thierry TEA.
With his altruistic and humble approach, Thierry TEA draws on history and values to encourage these young women, and young people in general, to create opportunities for themselves and pursue their projects.
“Cambodia is at the crossroads of a generational transition. That's why we think it's very important for the OCIC Group to support wider access to education for young women in Cambodia. Education is a key element in the socio-economic development of our nation”, he says.
At the event, young people have already been able to establish relationships with the various professionals through a question and answer session.
These partnerships between the OCIC Group and the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg reflect a profound and lasting contribution to the development of Cambodian society, which is inclusive, young and growing day by day.
It is also through its spirit of enterprise, innovation, sustainability and inclusion that the OCIC Group works with local and international partners to create opportunities for future generations. This new agreement between the Group and the NGO Toutes à l'école Luxembourg is further proof of this.
For more information, visit their website https://www.ocic.com.kh.