ECPAT Cambodia

With financial support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands through Defence for Children International (DCI), the 7^th training seminar on The Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism was organized in cooperation with Ministry of Tourism on December 22^nd- 23^rd, 2011 in Phnom Penh. The training seminar was presided over by H.E Hor Sarun, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism and chairman of Child Safe Tourism Committee, H.E. Touch Sarom, Deputy governor of Phnom Penh municipality, Mrs. Chay Sovanny, Deputy department of Training and Education of the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Kim Sovanna, Acting Director of Phnom Penh Tourism Department, Mr. Chin Chanveasna, Executive Director of ECPAT-Cambodia and with participation of 26 senior management level of Tourism industry personnel and MoT officials. The aim of the training is to build the capacity of tourism in protecting children from sexual exploitation and to report suspicious incidences to the local authorities as well as introducing the Code of Conduct and encourage them to develop a child protection policy.

Additional 23 staff from 18 organizations have been trained on Policy and Minimum Standards for the Protection of the Rights of Victim of Human Trafficking held in Battambang from 25^th- 29^th March 2013 

9 senior staffs of Sofitel Hotel has received Training of Trainers course on the protection of children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism from ECPAT Cambodia. They will provide training to over 1,000 ambassadors (employees) of the 3 places of Sofitel Phnom Penh, Sofitel Angkor and Angkor Golf Report in the coming years. 

On 28^th December 2012 ECPAT Cambodia participated in the roundtable discussion on Optional Protocol 3 to the CRC on Communications Procedure which was broadcasted 2 times on National TV channel. The panelists include Mr. Chin Chanveasna, Executive Director of ECPAT Cambodia, Mr. Meas Samnang, Secretary General of NGOCRC, H.E. Thong Yavann, Deputy Secretary General of CNCC and Youth Representative from CCYMCR. 

On 14^th January 2013 ECPAT Cambodia has signed an agreement with Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Hotel to implement the code of conduct for the protection of children from sexual exploitation. Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra has become the first member of the code in Cambodia. ECPAT Cambodia encourages other hotels to follow Sofitel to ensure that children are protected from sexual exploitation.  

From 17-22 September 2012, 104 tourism companies and personnel have been trained on protecting children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism. These include 30 tourism companies in Battambang provinces, 41 ambassadors of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Hotel and 33 personnel of Sokha Angkor Siem Reap Hotel. It is hoped that they are all alert in protecting children within their business and daily life. 

In cooperation with NGO Coalition of the Right of the Child, a children consultation on Optional Protocol 3 to the Convention on the Rights of the Child was held on 20^th August 2012 in Phnom Penh. The consultation was attended by 49 children and youths from 14 municipality/ provinces. Children and youths have discussed the advantages and benefits for the government to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol and suggested the government to speed up the signing. The consultation was supported by Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision Cambodia.