Since October 2018, the Cambodia Peace Gallery in the province of Battambang has been offering an alternative space for local and foreign visitors who want to learn more about the history of war and conflict in Cambodia and the peacebuilding efforts across the country.
Cambodia was heavily bombed by United States forces during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and early 1970s. This was followed by the rise of the Khmer Rouge who ruled from 1975 to 1979. An estimated 1.5 to 2 million people were killed during this period, or nearly 25 percent of Cambodia’s population at that time. Civil war further divided the nation until the signing of the 1991 Peace Agreement.
Battambang native Dr Soth Plai Ngarm, who founded the museum, explained the impact of decades of war on local communities in a media interview in 2018.
He initially envisioned the building of a space “where people could learn about the recent history by focusing on positive stories of peacebuilding in Cambodia.” His dream became a reality through the Cambodia Peace Gallery which was established with the help of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies and Friends Economic Development Association.
The museum became an independent entity in 2023 and its team is now mostly composed of young volunteers and peace advocates. The museum’s current director is youth leader NA Ratanak who shared more information about the peace advocacy through email.
He then elaborates about the role of the gallery in fostering dialogue across generations.
Below is an example of the exhibits in the gallery and an activity highlighting the symbolic destruction of guns.
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Some of the exhibits in the gallery like post-war recovery efforts and dealing with landmines are also published on their website.
For NA Ratanak, student and youth visitors can learn examples of “positive history” in the gallery:
Asked about the lessons after five years of operating the museum, NA Ratanak emphasizes how the space they built has also served as a model for other communities in Asia.
Mong Palatino is an activist and former two-term member of the Philippine House of Representatives. Blogging since 2004 at mongster’s nest, he joined Global Voices in 2006.
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