Cambodia
St. Paul’s Institute was recognized for its commitment to environmentally friendly furniture
Cambodian Environment Minister Say Samal (left) hands over a certificate of honor to St. Paul’s Institute director Phon Sophan for promoting an innovative environmental project. (Photo by Catholic Social Communication
A church-run school from southern Cambodia has won the final round for a national competition that promotes innovative ideas for protecting our environment.
The winner of the Cambodia Green Future Project sponsored jointly by the US Agency for International Development and Cambodia’s Environment Ministry was announced by St. Paul’s Institute, Takeo province, near the Vietnam border.
Phon Sophan, the director of the institutes, received a certificate from Say Samal, Environment Minister.
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The school was part of the project, which ran from September 2021 to December 2021. It was designed to encourage Cambodians and green champions to think creatively and be environmentally friendly.
Many of the works were chosen for public distribution or a media campaign.
St. Pauls Institute endorsed an innovative idea to switch to green furniture from luxurious wood furniture.
“Changing attitudes and continuing participation in promoting the value natural resources starts with each of us, especially young families.”
This program encouraged individuals and institutions to support environmental partnerships. Director Sophan, who was speaking at the April 6 event, stated that St. Pauls is a higher education institution that has always cared about the environment.
He said that St. Paul’s Institute was founded under the leadership and guidance of Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler. Students have been actively involved in the cleaning of the environment and the planting of trees.
Say Samal, Environment Minister said that changing attitudes can prevent destruction of natural resources.
“Changing attitudes and continuing participation in promoting the value natural resources starts with each of us, especially young families. Minister said that the community is an important element in helping to preserve natural resources and the surrounding environment.
Nancy J. Islick, USAID country head for Cambodia, stated that St. Paul’s idea of environmentally-friendly furniture provides a lifeline in order to save precious woods.
Islick stated, “Demand for rosewood is increasing significantly in both the domestic and international market, contributing to deforestation as well as the loss of valuable trees species in tropical forests.”
“We hope that this youth-led initiative will provide useful information to Cambodians, particularly young people considering the use non-luxury furniture.”
Cambodia’s Christians make up a small percentage of the 17 million Buddhist-majority country’s population.
St. Paul’s Institute, founded by Bishop Schmitthaeusler (12 years ago), was founded by him as a member of Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP). He worked in the province for 12 years as a social activist and parish priest.
For his pioneering efforts in social development in Cambodia, Bishop Schmitthaeusler received the top National Order of Merit award for Cambodia.
St. Pauls Institute was founded in 1984 and has provided education for undergraduate students in software, network and telecommunication engineering, English literature and tourism management, as well as veterinary medicine, social work, and agriculture.
Cambodia’s Christians make up a small percentage of the 17 million Buddhist-majority country’s population.
The Catholic Church in Cambodia is home to approximately 20,000 members in three jurisdictions, the Apostolic Vicariate ofPhnompenh, Apostolic Prefecture ofBattambangand Apostolic Prefecture ofKompong Cham.
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