Blogs
Strengthening reporting using data: Building the capacity of journalists to report on natural resources in Cambodia
On 28–30 March 2026, a group of passionate journalists and aspiring storytellers joined a three-day training on “Data Literacy for Reporting on Natural Resources” in Phnom Penh.Organized by Open Development Cambodia (ODC) with funding supported by Global Forest Watch (GFW), the training aimed to bridge a significant gap in modern journalism: the ability to transform complex datasets into compelling, evidence-based stories that inform and inspire action.Why data literacy matters more than everAs Cambodia continues to face challenges related to deforestation, land use change, and environmental sustainability, access to open data has expanded significantly. However, access alone is not enough. Journalists must also be equipped with the skills to interpret, analyze, and communicate that data effectively.This training recognized that need. It provided a space where data meets storytelling, where numbers become narratives, and where evidence strengthens public discourse.From data to story: A hands-on learning journeyOver three days, 16 participants (9 women) engaged in an intensive, hands-on learning experience designed to build ...
Celebrating Open Data Day 2026: Expanding impact beyond Phnom Penh
Open Data Day is a global celebration that brings together communities, organizations, and governments to highlight the importance of open data in addressing real-world challenges. Around the world, events range from workshops and panel discussions to hackathons and community forums, all aimed at demonstrating how ...
Bringing open data closer to students: ODC celebrates Open Data Day 2026 at Chean Muk Secondary School
As digital information becomes increasingly important in everyday life, helping young people understand data is becoming an essential part of preparing them for the future. To mark Open Data Day 2026, on 12 March 2026, through the Prayuters Library Program in Preah Vihear province, Open ...
Strengthening community fisheries through data: A consultation in Preah Sihanouk Province
On the morning of 04 March 2026, in the coastal district of Prey Nop, Preah Sihanouk province, a diverse group of stakeholders gathered with a shared purpose: to ensure that the stories, realities, and challenges of Cambodia’s coastal fishing communities are accurately reflected in data ...
Learning about data through drawing: Open Data Day 2026 at Pahal Primary School
Helping children understand data does not always begin with numbers or definitions; it can also begin with imagination, colour, and familiar objects from daily life. As part of Open Data Day 2026, on 12 March 2026, through the Prayuters ...
Consultation workshop on community fisheries data held in Kampot province
In an effort to promote open data and strengthen the management of coastal resources, the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) team recently organized a consultation workshop in Kampot province to present and gather feedback on data and information related to community fisheries in Kep and Kampot ...
From practice to purpose: A story of adaptation and growth
When Sokna joined the project, he stepped in as a trainer with a strong motivation to make meaningful use of his background in IT and cybersecurity. After learning about this opportunity from his friend, Davy, who is also one of the toolkits’ trainers, he was ...
Technical Mapping Meet-up: Strengthening knowledge on forest cover mapping and remote sensing
On 20 March 2026, a Technical Mapping Meet-up was successfully organized, bringing together 37 participants (including 19 females) from diverse backgrounds, including GIS practitioners, government representatives, researchers, students, and mapping enthusiasts.The event provided a collaborative platform to exchange knowledge and practical experiences related to forest ...
From data to action: strengthening environmental information for communities
On 10 February 2026, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) organized a half-day workshop titled Strengthening the Impact of Environmental, Land, and Natural Resource Data. The workshop was attended by 23 participants, including 12 female participants, representing CSOs members from Phnom Penh, Kampot, Ratanakiri, Koh Kong, and ...
Advancing open data in the Mekong region: Reflections from the 2025 regional dialogue
On 27 October 2025, Open Development Cambodia (ODC), in partnership with the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and supported by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and other donors, successfully convened a full-day workshop titled Regional Dialogue on Open Data in the Mekong Countries: Challenges and ...
AI and disinformation on digital platforms
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way information is created and shared, but it has also intensified the spread of mis- and disinformation. As Cambodia prepares its Draft National AI Strategy (2025-2030), information integrity is an element that cannot be neglected. It is against this backdrop that the panel discussion on ...
Launching of the ScamCheck AI
Online scams are rapidly increasing in Cambodia and the region, causing not only financial loss but also emotional distress. Common scams include “cheap and affordable” items that never arrive, fake high-paying job offers, phishing links disguised as banks or delivery services, and even deepfake videos and forged documents. These scams exploit trust and ...
Cambodia’s path to universal connectivity: insights from experts
With Cambodia’s Digital Government Policy 2022-2035 and Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, Cambodia is actively advancing toward a fully digital society. Achieving universal connectivity is therefore crucial to providing widespread, affordable access to mobile services and supporting the country’s broader development objectives. During the keynote, Mr. Penh Sokharath, ...
Bridging digital skill gap: How AI is shaping the future of careers
As Cambodia continues moving toward a digital future, especially with Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, aiming to build a vibrant digital economy and society, this panel discussion “Bridging Digital Skill Gap: How AI is shaping the future of careers” invited experts from the academia, the private ...
Evolving landscape of internet governance: why multi-stakeholder dialogue matters?
The digital world is expanding at a pace that consistently outstrips the policies designed to guide it. In this context, Mr. Edmond Chung, CEO of DotAsia, presented the history, current situation, and the path forward of Internet governance. He opened by underscoring the vital importance ...
Unboxing internet infrastructures and their environmental costs and what you can do about it: youth’s crucial role in building an inclusive and sustainable internet society
The presentation session, “Unboxing Internet Infrastructures and Their Environmental Costs,” commenced with a video presentation by Ms. Dhanyashri Kamalakannan, Governance Lead and Design Researcher at The Pranava Institute. One key message stood out clearly: youth participation is essential for building an inclusive and sustainable digital society. ...
Advancing digital, media, and information literacy in Cambodia
Cambodia’s Digital, Media, and Information Literacy Competency Framework (DMIL) laid out the pathway in response to the urgent need to develop the “Digital Citizen,” which is an integral part that supports the current vibrant digital economy and society. Against this backdrop, the panel discussion on “Advancing ...
Cambodia’s path to a Personal Data Protection Law: Highlights from Cambodia’s first National Conference on Personal Data Protection 2025
Panel discussion during the Consultative Workshop on Draft Law on Personal Data ProtectionOn October 7, 2025, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) had the opportunity to attend the first National Conference on Personal Data Protection in Phnom Penh. The event was organized by the Ministry of Post ...
Organizing the translathon: Engaging youth in translating the Unboxing the Internet Infrastructure Toolkit
Participants receiving their certificates at the end of the TranslathonOn 11 November 2025, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) organized a collaborative translation event, bringing together community members, students, and recent graduates. The session engaged 9 participants in person, including 5 women, selected from a diverse pool ...
Co-designing community-friendly forest monitoring tool: Highlights from stakeholder consultation
Open Development Cambodia Organization (ODC) conducted a Stakeholder Consultation on Co-Designing Community-Friendly Forest Monitoring Tool on 18 December 2025 with a total of 25 participants. This consultation aims to gather insights on the Forest Dis from civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organization (CBOs), and community ...
Strengthening the Forest Disturbance Platform through community engagement
The Open Development Cambodia (ODC) team conducted field visits to three communities in Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and Kratie provinces to hold community meetings and gather local input. These engagements helped deepen understanding of community needs, challenges, and local geographic contexts, and informed improvements to the forest ...
Building Cambodia’s Inclusive Digital Society
As Cambodia implements its Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2025 and its Digital Government Policy 2022-2035, adopting a multi-stakeholder perspective is essential to promote broad digital adoption and drive transformation across all sectors, ensuring the development of an inclusive digital society.It is against this ...
Technical mapping meet-up: Enhancing conservation efforts through geospatial technology
Open Development Cambodia (ODC) hosted a half-day Technical Mapping Meet-up on December 9, 2025. The event brought together technical experts, conservation practitioners, and local stakeholders to exchange insights on how geospatial technologies can strengthen forest monitoring and conservation efforts across Cambodia.With 17 participants, including researchers, ...
The imperative of gender inclusivity in AI: bridging the digital divide
Delivered by Mr. Dixon Siu, our first presentation focused on the foundational concepts of AI and the paramount importance of gender inclusivity in its development and deployment. The presentation served as both a technical primer on modern AI capabilities and a stark warning about the ...
AI ethics: the imperative for data inclusion and human-centric design
Delivered by Mr. Dixon Siu, the presentation on the importance of AI governance commenced by highlighting the immense potential of AI, demonstrating its innovative applications across multiple critical domains, including health care, education, and agriculture. However, he immediately tempered this optimism with a critical warning: ...
