2018 ASIA TRY KOKOROZASHI MATURI IN CAMBODIA

(Phnom Penh): Phnom Penh Center for Independent Living (PPCIL)is supported by One-hearted independent living network  within a cooperation with many trading companies to create a great event for persons with disabilities, which is called  "2018 Exhibition on One Heart Network of the Asian Persons with disabilities in Cambodia" has gathered hundreds of persons with disabilities from 7 countries, including Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and Taiwan in order to show  their achievement, capacity, and enhance good relations between persons with disabilities and persons with disabilities from other countries in the world. During the great event for nearly 400 persons with disabilities including other people in community were attended in the event, which were held at Wat Phnom Resort, the heart of Phnom Penh City, on March 11, 2018.

Nearly 400 persons with disabilities have exhibited their own achievements, such as performing their traditional dance in each country's traditions and exhibited the foods, which are made from persons with disabilities, and there were also have the big lucky draw to people with disabilities and the other general public who have attended in the exhibition.

The event was also attended by Excellency Em Chan Makara, General Secretary of the General Secretariat of the Disability Action Council, who also the representatives of Excellency Vong Soth, the Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation along with the officials from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, the representatives of Phnom Penh Capital Hall, civil society officials, relevant stakeholders, and persons with disabilities.

During that occasion, Excellency Em Chan Makara, representatives of Minister of Social Affairs has appreciated the Phnom Penh Center for Independent Living (PPCIL) that has an initiative idea to conduct that event for promoting the equal participation of people with disabilities in the society and share experiences on disability issues from speakers, who are the persons with disabilities through the mutual learning and exchange the traditional, culture, and cooking styles.

His Excellency Em Chan Makara also gratitude to those persons with disabilities who came from Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and Taiwan that have collaborated with Cambodia and the representative of PPCIL for their striving to make the exhibition happen in Cambodia. His Excellency added that this is another opportunity to strengthen good cooperation on disability movement between Cambodia and Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and Taiwan.

Mr. Mey Sameth, Executive Director of the Phnom Penh Center for Independent Living, said that "2018 Exhibition on One Heart Network of the Asian Persons with disabilities in Cambodia" is conducted to contribute the promotion of the rights and encourage an equal participation of persons with disabilities into social activities as well as the commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia under the leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia which has Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and General Secretariat of the Disability Action Council as a secretariats.

Mr. Mey Sameth added that through this important exhibition will make persons with disabilities enjoy and understand more about activities in the disability field, cultures, traditions, and the cooking styles of each Country Member. Moreover, persons with disabilities have demonstrated their ability and potential to the general public through their performances, arts, dances, Entertainment, and games in order to promote the rights and participation of persons with disabilities, who have lost their opportunities, always stay in house, and have never got out from home for many years. Then provide their opportunities to participate in this international event that will also encourage them to have the opportunity to make friends and gain more hope in life, which also allows them to think more positively on themself.

Additionally, His Excellency Em Chan Makara has encouraged and suggested to all persons with disabilities should try to do for what they prefer to do by engaging in and using all their efforts and abilities to participate in all platforms/forums that related to the disability sector in order to gain new knowledge and experience for enhancing their capacity to participate in the country development process.