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Civic and political education is a prerequisite to prepare young people for a democratic life. If taught well in school and tailored to local needs, its skills and values will enhance democratic life in the community and the nation as a whole.

Democracies need active, informed and responsible citizens; citizens who are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and contribute to the political process.

Democracies depend upon citizens who, among other things, are:

- aware of their roles, responsibilities, duties and rights as citizens;

- informed about the social and political world from the local to the regional and international level;

- concerned about the welfare of others in the community and in the region and the world;

- articulate in their opinions and arguments;

- capable of having an influence on the world;

- active, socially and politically engaged in their communities.

Article 35 of the Cambodian Constitution provides the constitutional basis for Cambodian citizens to actively participate in “political, economic, social, and cultural life of the nation.” However political participation currently is not very much encouraged by the State.

To further discuss with Cambodian representatives from the Ministry of Education Youths and Sports, representatives of selected universities on how to promote political and civic education in Cambodia, KAS organizes this dialogue on the 27th of October with 5 representatives of the German Youth Movement Junge Union, who are actively involved in politics and who promote civic education from a very young age onwards.

The objective of this dialogue is to identify gaps and achievements in the current Cambodian Education System to prepare young citizens for becoming responsible and active citizens.