Shaping Cambodia’s CCI National Policy: CICADA in Action
On June 11, CICADA proudly represented the voices of its 150 members and thousands of other arts, culture, and creative communities at the national workshop “The Future of Cultural and Creative Industries in Cambodia.” The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts with the participation of representatives from various ministries, institutions, and cultural organizations.
CICADA was invited to speak on the theme “Perspectives from Civil Society on Cambodia’s Cultural and Creative Industries.” Mrs. So Phina, CICADA’s Director, delivered a number of policy recommendations to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and representatives from different ministries and national councils. Among these were calls to ensure social protection for all CCI workers, establish safeguarding and whistleblower mechanisms, enforce copyright protections, review overlapping roles of ministries supporting CCI, and invest in future-ready artistic skills.
CICADA Steering Committee members and members also attended the event altogether represented our CCI workers in Cambodia. We also took this opportunity to showcase our Policy Paper, ‘My Arts and Culture, My Right‘ pamphlet, and other research study materials, ensuring that the collective voice of our members was visible to all participants at the national level. Through these materials, participants were able to engage with CICADA’s work, learn about the challenges and opportunities facing CCI workers, and understand the organization’s vision for a more inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant creative sector. This presence not only reinforced CICADA’s role as a key civil society actor in the cultural landscape but also allowed members to network, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.
A proud moment for us came when CICADA’s research and data were cited by other speakers, including the representative of the ASEAN Secretariat and the CEO of Phare Ponleu Selpak. This recognition demonstrated that the voices of our members are not only being heard but are also shaping the broader conversation around Cambodia’s cultural and creative industries.
A Milestone for Policy Dialogue
As the first national discussion workshop on the development of cultural and creative industry national policies, this gathering marked a significant milestone for Cambodia’s CCI sector. CICADA strongly hopes to see more consultation workshops in the future — especially those that gather cultural practitioners, artists, and creative workers at the center of the dialogue. Inclusive and meaningful participation from CCI workers on the development of CCI national policy is essential for building policies that are truly responsive to the needs and aspirations of the sector.
Photo credit: ត្រឡុង បូរិន