For Immediate Release
Press Release
Phnom Penh, July 14, 2023 - Winners of the USAID-funded, two crowd-sourced competition campaigns to reduce buying and eating bushmeat and to stop littering, were recognized today by Ms. Kerry Pelzman, USAID/Cambodia Mission Director. The youth-focused, environmental, social and behavior change communication campaign initiative features multimedia content broadcast through online platforms to support young people as “Green Champions” to model successful behaviors and practices around the protection of Cambodia’s natural resources and biodiversity.
“Consumption of bushmeat poses a serious threat to the survival of Cambodia's wildlife and ecosystem as well as to the health of people. Littering affects the environment, human health, wildlife, as well as property values and economic activity,” said Ms. Pelzman. “We hope this youth-led competition will inspire many Cambodians, especially youth, to say NO to bushmeat and to stop littering.”
The two series of crowd-sourced competitions, which ran from March 2022 to February 2023, encouraged the development and dissemination of creative and engaging materials to raise awareness of the value of wildlife and the negative impacts of wildlife loss, and how littering affects the environment, wildlife and people.
Menghorng Kao, who finished third place in the “to reduce buying and eating bushmeat” competition, said that “As a youth, I think it is really important to reduce buying and eating bushmeat because wild animals provide us with a lot of benefits and they are in danger as well. Start from you and your family to protect wild animals and for ecological balance in Cambodia.”
Chansovichea Duch, a crowd-sourced first place winner for the “to stop littering” competition, said that “Waste management not only helps to protect the environment, but it also demonstrates who you are. Work together to manage trash in the present for the sake of our earth's future.”
The selected materials will be used in public communication campaigns that will urge and inspire the public to consider other food options rather than bushmeat and dispose of trash correctly.
Today’s award ceremony underscores the U.S. Embassy’s and U.S. government’s commitment to promote environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, and positive actions from the public to conserve Cambodia’s rich natural heritage for the benefit of all citizens as well as future generations.
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For more information, please contact:
Sisovann Ouk, Chief of Party
USAID Cambodia Green Future