Links Aug 2008

1- IN MEMORY OF FATHER VINCENT DIERCKX
On Tuesday night at Jesuit Service we had a memorial Mass for Father Vincent. Our Cambodian team plus some foreign guests remembered Father Vincent with flowers and incense and prayer. Bishop Kike celebrated the Mass and recalled the stories of his companionship with Father Vincent since 1985. Everybody remembered him with love.

2- THE CONTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE OF FAITH in DEBATE ON PUBLIC POLICY
Fr. Frank Brennan sj, professor of Human Rights at Australian Catholic University conducted a seminar on RELIGION in PUBLIC POLICY MAKING on 20 August 2008. When people of different world views live in the same society there is a need to shape policy for the common good while at the some time considering the different beliefs and traditions in the society. People of faith can enrich the making of good public policy in statements that can be heard in a multi-cultural and sometimes very secular society. The audience raised some interesting questions and received stimulating responses.

3- TEACHERS SEMINAR IN SIEM REAP
44 teachers from our Metta Karuna network of schools in Banteay Meanchey, Kandal/Kampong Speu/Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap gathered from 12-16 August for a seminar led by Sr. Anne and resourced by Ms. Maureen Kerr of the Catholic Education Office in New Zealand. They discussed the qualities of a good teacher practised child centred learning in mastering the language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The use of story in learning language was highlighted. They were issued with the new CD and song book on social issues, composed by Seng Cheatta and So Not. After work they visited the cultural village, Angkor Wat and the Angkor complex and the new museum. The evaluation was very positive.

4- VISIT OF GENEVA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT
The new ambassador of the Geneva Centre visited Siem Reap to meet Tun Channareth and other survivors, to hear the reality of survivors living in remote areas. As Cambodian needs to request permission to extend its mine clearance deadline they were interested in assessing this too.

5- CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF CLUSTER BOMBS MASSACRE IN LEBANON
13 August was the day of the massive bombing strike in Lebanon by Israel, two years ago. Around the world people called attention to the movement to ban Cluster Bombs. In Siem Reap, we had a procession around the Reflection Centre Grounds and stopped to leave candles at the three refugee sculptures, created by Chhay Saron, our former sculpture teacher. Afterwards we blessed the ground praying no more bombs destroy it and then signed the People's Treaty.

6. Ny Nhar attended a two days workshop on the Aid Effectiveness which was organised by NGO Forum. The workshop raises awareness on the role of the World Bank and International Monetary Funds (I.M.F) in Cambodia.