Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA) has teamed up with the Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) to celebrate Cambodia Entrepreneurship Day on 4 November 2024. About 100 ambitious entrepreneurs from Kampot and Kep shared experiences and ideas for boosting their small and medium businesses. Focusing on current global concerns for equity and climate, the theme this year was: “Invest in Young Entrepreneurs for a Dynamic Economy and Environment.” The event served as a platform for fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices.
While YEA is committed to building the next generation of Cambodian business leaders to compete globally, AEA specifically empowers small enterprises to drive a global shift toward sustainability and inclusivity. “Our NGO is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive economy for all,” said Samphors Vorn, AEA country director. “Our projects recognize women, youth, and vulnerable groups as valuable changemakers.” These groups have the potential to drive transformative change in the global economy by promoting ethical practices, protecting the environment, and uplifting their families and communities.
AEA works to support their access to global markets, promote their sustainable and innovative practices and, raise their voices. By collaborating to increase their presence on the world stage, these efforts offer a transformative vision of the global economy – one where livelihoods and ecosystems flourish together. Cambodian small businesses do not only help mitigate the impacts of climate change and resource depletion. They stand as strong allies in the fight against environmental destruction.
Sustainability as a Global Model
It is widely recognized that multinational corporations often lead to environmental degradation, resulting in deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. These large-scale companies frequently exploit labor to minimize costs, leading to poor working conditions, low wages, and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Multinationals also often promote a homogeneous consumer culture that undermines local identities and the richness of cultural diversity.
In contrast, the power of small businesses in Cambodia lies in their ability to create a sustainable and equitable future. As the world is facing the devastating consequences of climate change and global inequality, our NGO stands with these businesses. We support communities in thriving economically, so they are better equipped to advocate for their own interests. Small businesses are best positioned to push for a global economy that prioritizes the environment and humanity. From organic farming to eco-conscious handicrafts and eco-tourism services, they maintain a small carbon footprint while uplifting their communities.
Their model offers a compelling solution, demonstrating that it is possible to operate sustainably. Small businesses in the Global South are not only vital to the local livelihoods; they also provide a powerful counter-narrative to the damaging practices of multinationals from the Global North. They have the potential to inspire future generations to embrace a more responsible way of doing business. There is hope. Cambodian youth can help the world to reduce dependence on exploitative industries that dominate the global economy.
Environmentally sustainable production and services offer a more equitable alternative to the exploitative systems that are commonly found in global supply chains. The time to challenge the dominant global economic model is now, for the sake of our planet and future generations. The world is shifting. The call for environmental protection and responsibility grows louder. At the heart of Cambodia’s economy, small businesses have the ability to promote sustainability and resilience in the face of global challenges. They have the power to lead the charge toward a greener, more equitable world. The world is watching – let’s show them what Cambodia’s business means today!
