From left to right: Mr. Teang Mongkul; Ms. Kang Kallyann;     Mr. Ung Chamroeun

Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA (December 23, 2008) –Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Cambodia in collaboration with the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) announced the winners of the Journalists’ Writing Contest at an award ceremony held at Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh today.

Three Cambodian journalists, two from Cambodge Soir (French and Khmer weekly newspaper) and the other from Sahakum Kien Svay newspaper, won the cash prizes from the JWC sponsored by LWF Cambodia.

Ms. Kang Kallyann, from Cambodge Soir, won the first prize for her feature entitled “Phnom Sruoch: Microfinance Service in Former Khmer Rouge Area.” The second prize was awarded to Mr. Teang Mongkul, from Sahakum Kien Svay newspaper, for his feature entitled “Village Bank Improves Livelihood,” while the third prize was given to Mr. Ung Chamroeun, from Cambodge Soir, for his feature headlined “Development Process Still Goes Smooth After LWF Phased Out.”

The cash prize for the first winner was US$700, and the runner-up prizes were $500, and $300 respectively.
The contest, organized by the CCJ, aimed to encourage Cambodian journalists to consider reporting rural development news as part of their contribution to national development. Another objective of this contest was to improve the capacity of Cambodian journalists to write comprehensive and professional news stories on rural development.

There were 22 entries from 17 print and electronic media organizations (nine newspaper companies, six magazine companies, one radio company and the National Television of Cambodia station). Journalists picked different subjects for their features, such as microfinance, irrigation, rural sanitation, demining, health, disaster preparedness and land issues.
David Mueller, Country Representative for LWF Cambodia, congratulated those who won and encourage those who did not to continue writing so that they can win a future contest.
"I am very glad to see Cambodian journalists actively contribute to the development of the country through their reports,” Mueller said in his remarks.

"Our goal is to contribute to the poverty alleviation of Cambodia through rights based empowerment of rural communities, the strengthening local leadership and improvement of governance,” David said.  “I hope that this Contest has given all of you an opportunity to discover the roots of poverty and work together for a change," he added.

H.E Mr Mao Ayuth, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Information, said in his remarks that journalists play an important role in carrying messages from one place to another. He also gave recommendations to those who did not win to strengthen their capacity so that they can write a better article.

Mr. Pen Samitthy, CCJ President, said the contest was very important for all Cambodian journalists. It helped journalists improve their professionalism and encouraged them to play more active roles to serve the public.

 “Through the contest, journalists not only can improve their professionalism, but they also contributed to the development of rural Cambodia,” he said.

“I am very excited to get the first place,” Kallyann said. She pointed out the challenge in getting the information for her story. “As LWF Cambodia works in remote areas, it is hard for me to find the source of information,” she said, adding that the road access to the place for the interview was also very bad, so she needed a guide.

Kallyann interviews VB member

“I would not have success if I did not have support from LWF Cambodia staff,” she said. “Communications is very important. I would not be able to get all the detailed information if I do not have good communications with LWF”. LWF is a global organization of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. LWF was founded in 1947 and is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its aim was to relieve the sufferings of people after World War II. LWF opened its representative office in Cambodia in 1979 and has actively contributed to the development of the country with the Royal Government of Cambodia. Sectors supported by LWF Cambodia include emergency relief and support to government; demining, resettlement and rehabilitation; integrated rural development; participatory, rights-based empowerment; and improvement of rural people’s livelihoods.

From 1979 to 2007, LWF Cambodia has spent US $49,050,000 on Cambodia’s rural development.

By 2011, LWF Cambodia will be localized, transforming from an international field service program to an autonomous Cambodian NGO in association with LWF/Department for World Service.

Read First Place Article
Read Second Place Article
Read Third Place Article