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Cambodian youth fight trafficking through art and music

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MTV-EXIT Roadshows in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
A full view of the stage in Siem Reap. MTV EXIT organized the July 28, 2012 concert to raise awareness about human trafficking. USAID supports a wide range of anti-trafficking activities in Cambodia including youth engagement through events like this one. Photo: USAID/Suzana Sorinchan

Siem Reap, Cambodia, July 2012.  Thousands of Siem Reap youth gained a greater awareness of human trafficking at a concert headlined by Cambodian rap artist Pou Khlaing and backed by a host of other performers on July 28, 2012.  USAID Mission Director Flynn Fuller joined local authorities as well as the concert organizer MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking).  MTV EXIT is working with USAID partner Winrock International, through the Counter-Trafficking in Persons II (CTIP II) program, on a national communications campaign to combat human trafficking and exploitation.  The campaign leverages music and digital media to educate and raise awareness about the problems of human trafficking, and particularly how youth can protect themselves and their loved ones.  It engages Cambodia’s young people through audience outreach including youth-driven activities and mini-events to cultivate a new generation of activism.  

The concert and a series of other youth-centered events are an important part of USAID’s CTIP II program.  This and other CTIP II–funded activities work closely with Cambodian government agencies and non-governmental organizations to promote effective prevention strategies and enhance survivor protection and care services. 
 
The Siem Reap concert was the last of five “Roadshows” that were held in several Cambodian cities. The first two took place in the provincial municipality of Prey Veng and Kampong Cham, which centered on a series of engaging music performances by young leading musicians, dancers, and comedians.  Educational workshops and interactive sessions were conducted where youth participated on the development of art murals with two young professional visual artists.  The art murals were displayed in public areas in the respective provinces to further spread anti-trafficking messages.  Two other Roadshows were held in Koh Kong and Banteay Meanchey before the final show in Siem Reap.

The roadshows also traveled around the provincial level districts with a giant inflatable screen to conduct special screenings of the documentary film entitled, “Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special,” hosted by MTV EXIT’s Celebrity Ambassador to Cambodia, Dr Samnang Chea.  The documentary reveals the real-life issues of this horrific crime affecting Cambodians.

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USAID has provided over $800 million in support of Cambodia’s development since 1992. Today it works closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia as well as a wide variety of non-government partners in the areas of democracy and governance, health, food security and climate change, and education.