Country Mapping: Cambodia
Cambodia was WFDD's first country-level mapping project and has provided a model for current explorations in Bangladesh, Senegal, Kenya, and Guatemala conducted jointly with the Berkley Center. Cambodia has an overwhelmingly Buddhist population (95 percent), and much of the country’s character and identity is deeply influenced by this religious heritage; however, the country also has small but significant religious minorities with historic roots. Cambodia’s religious communities were intensely persecuted under the Khmer Rouge regime, which took control of the country in 1975. Although only four years in length, the era left as many as two million dead and had wide-ranging implications for Cambodian development that are still significant to this day.
After several decades of intense focus by the international development community, Cambodia continues to face numerous and varied development challenges. Approximately 30 percent of its 14.5 million inhabitants live below the national poverty line and many human development indicators are low. Governance challenges, including corruption, are serious concerns. Due to the Cambodian government’s limited capacity to provide some basic services, civil society actors have continued to fill gaps.
It is estimated that 3,000 local and international NGOs are active on the ground in Cambodia, many founded on religious principles. Since 2009, WFDD’s mapping of religion and development in Cambodia highlights faith-inspired organizations and religious institutions active in sectors including education, health, water, sanitation, poverty reduction, and gender equality. In the post-Khmer Rouge era, local Buddhist communities have also become increasingly socially engaged in issues such as the environment and sustainable livelihoods. Throughout Cambodia Buddhist pagodas serve as key cultural institutions and community centers, and therefore can offer entry points for international development actors working at the local level.
It is estimated that 3,000 local and international NGOs are active on the ground in Cambodia, many founded on religious principles. Since 2009, WFDD’s mapping of religion and development in Cambodia highlights faith-inspired organizations and religious institutions active in sectors including education, health, water, sanitation, poverty reduction, and gender equality. In the post-Khmer Rouge era, local Buddhist communities have also become increasingly socially engaged in issues such as the environment and sustainable livelihoods. Throughout Cambodia Buddhist pagodas serve as key cultural institutions and community centers, and therefore can offer entry points for international development actors working at the local level.

Buddhism and Forest Conservation in Southeast Asia Post
April 22, 2014
April 22, 2014
Of Violence and Hope: Final Thoughts From Cambodia Post
July 15, 2013
July 15, 2013

Faith and Trafficking in Cambodia Post
April 23, 2013
April 23, 2013

Phnom Pehn Prepares a Final Farewell: Part II Post
March 4, 2013
March 4, 2013

Phnom Penh Prepares a Final Farewell Post
January 31, 2013
January 31, 2013

Alternative Forms of "Religion" and "Development" Post
February 2, 2012
February 2, 2012

Support from the Community and the Gods at Yie Xian Gong Temple Post
November 21, 2011
November 21, 2011
A New Life for Phnom Penh's Urban Poor Post
December 20, 2010
December 20, 2010

A Business Model Built on Faith Post
January 30, 2010
January 30, 2010

Fellowship on the Mekong Post
November 24, 2009
November 24, 2009

A Place to Call Home Post
November 17, 2009
November 17, 2009

Beyond Basics: Teaching, Reading, Writing, and Morality Post
November 5, 2009
November 5, 2009

Faith and Education in Cambodia Meeting Event
August 7, 2013
August 7, 2013

Faith Efforts Against Human Trafficking in Cambodia Event
April 23, 2013
April 23, 2013

Development in Cambodia: A Mosaic of Faith Engagement Event
November 14, 2011
November 14, 2011

A Discussion with Venerable Loun Sovath Interview
November 20, 2011
November 20, 2011

A Discussion with Farina So, Documentation Center of Cambodia Interview
December 10, 2010
December 10, 2010

A Discussion with Prom Pauv and Pich Sovann, TASK Interview
September 23, 2010
September 23, 2010

A Discussion with Venerable Yos Hut Khemacaro Interview
August 4, 2010
August 4, 2010