Cambodian Youth Actively Engage in Heritage Preservation Through PEACE Project at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Youth Connect with History at Tuol Sleng

In a significant move to foster peace education and historical understanding, Cambodian youth are actively engaging with the Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitization, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE) Project at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM) in Phnom Penh. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), aims to transform memorial sites into vibrant centers of learning and reconciliation.

The project seeks to connect young Cambodians with their nation's tragic past, particularly the Khmer Rouge regime, to promote dialogue and prevent the recurrence of such atrocities. Through various activities, participants gain insight into the importance of preserving history and advocating for peace.

PEACE Project's Second Phase and Key Activities

The PEACE Project is currently in its second phase, spanning from 2024 to 2028, building on the successes of its initial stage. A notable event saw Cambodia's U-18 national football team visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum on March 4, 2025. This visit, organized by UNESCO in collaboration with MoCFA, TSGM, and the Football Federation of Cambodia, brought together 25 young athletes for a moment of reflection and learning. During their visit, the players engaged with the museum's exhibits, learning about the suffering under the Khmer Rouge regime. One participant shared, 'Khmer Rouge Regime is our history which we have to know. This is my first time here. I feel very sad. And I did not imagine that our country could have endured such painful experiences. This is a lesson for next generation to not have a mindset like those in the past. We have to be peaceful.'

Beyond direct engagement, the project also focuses on the digitization of historical records. The first phase successfully digitized over 745,494 pages and nearly half a million archives, making these invaluable records accessible via a bilingual website. This crucial work contributes to safeguarding history and empowering youth to engage with it meaningfully.

International Collaboration and Future Ambitions

The second phase of the PEACE Project has received substantial support, with KOICA committing an additional US$3 million over five years, starting in 2024. Ms. Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office, emphasized the project's significance, stating, 'KOICA's aid project in Cambodia symbolises the shared sorrow and burden between the Cambodian and Korean people. We aim to alleviate Cambodia's grief and pain through this project, and it serves as a foundation to educate future generations about Cambodia's tragic past to protect the country from similar tragedies in the future.'

The project's ambitions extend to transforming memorial sites like TSGM, Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, and M-13 prison into global models of peace education and youth empowerment. These sites, now officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title 'From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection,' are being developed as platforms for healing and learning. The initiative aligns with Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I, aiming to foster a peaceful society through cultural and heritage education and youth empowerment.

Empowering the Next Generation

The PEACE Project is centered on people, bringing human stories to the forefront through exhibitions and collaborations. It invites Cambodian youth to reflect, engage, and lead the way toward a more peaceful society, empowering them to become custodians of memory and advocates for peace. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum itself, a former high school used as 'Security Prison 21' by the Khmer Rouge, serves as a powerful beacon of remembrance and resilience, aiming to encourage visitors to be messengers of peace.