CAMBODIA: UNESCO Formally List Battambang Gastronomy

Posted by Asia Views | Nov 2, 2023 | 0 |

A statue of Lok Ta Dambang Kronhung at his namesake roundabout on National Road 5 in Battambang town. Yousos Apdoulrashim

PhnomPenhPost-Nov 1, 2023

Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritizing creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day, October 31, the charming town in the western province of Battambang known for its rich gastronomic heritage, along with 54 other international cities, received the honour of joining the UCCN. Their designation was made by UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay. UNESCO stated in a press release that all 55 cities were recognised for their steadfast commitment to incorporating culture and creativity into their development strategies, showcasing innovative approaches to human-centred urban planning. “With the latest additions, the Network now counts 350 cities in more than one hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music,” the release added. Battambang’s inclusion in the gastronomy category not only highlights its exceptional cuisine but also harnesses the power of food to foster local development and global cultural exchange. Apart from its vibrant culture, this recognition acknowledges Battambang’s local culinary delights, including nem (soft fish), prahok (fish paste), amok, kralan (sticky rice in bamboo tubes), papaya salad, kantuy hes (spicy mixed prahok) and teuk kroeung (vegetable dipping sauce) among dishes that hold a special place in the daily lives of the people of this province. Read more at:

https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/unesco-formally-list-battambang-gastronomy

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EXTRICATING NDONESIAN CHILDREN FROM ISIS INFLUENCE ABROAD

Indonesia urgently needs to revisit the possibility of repatriating the neediest of its young citizens stranded abroad, whose families had earlier joined ISIS. Most of these children are in camps in northern Syria but there are also small numbers in the Philippines, Afghanistan and Iraq. “Extricating Indonesian Children from ISIS Influence Abroad”, the latest report from the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) argues that the government could begin by bringing back small groups of unaccompanied children under ten years of age, who pose minimal security risk and are most vulnerable to deteriorating conditions in the camps.“The problem is that health and security conditions are worsening by the day in the Syrian camps, and the children are growing older,” says Dyah Kartika, IPAC analyst. “They need access to schools, a nurturing environment, and medical attention. If the government waits too long, the children will be further exposed to ISIS ideology.” The new report examines a 2019 list of Indonesians in camps and prisons run by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Indonesian government has been trying to verify their citizenship, but with pseudonyms, misspellings and bad transliterations, it is a daunting task. At the time the data was collected, between March and June 2019, there were 555 Indonesians in SDF camps and prisons, including 367 children. Among the children, approximately 277 were under the age of ten and 34 were unaccompanied. In June 2021, there are fewer than ten children who are both unaccompanied and under the age of ten that could be prioritized for return. Bringing back children of ISIS families is no easy task. The report analyses the main challenges faced by the Indonesian government. These include definitional issues, bureaucratic competition, the difficulty of verifying nationality, evaluating the toll of exposure to conflict, assessing security risk, and finding relatives or others willing to provide care once the children are returned. In addition, COVID has meant stringent restrictions on travel, placing further obstacles in the way of repatriation. There are several models for rehabilitation of children exposed to violent extremism in Indonesia that could be modified to accommodate the needs of children repatriated from abroad. The report examines these models and argues that the government does not need to have every detail of rehabilitation programs in place before it starts extricating children from ISIS influence. It can start by bringing back the most vulnerable children and then modify programs as needed.

“It’s important that the government see these children as victims” says Dyah. “They deserve a chance to be children again.”

CAMBODIA: UNESCO Formally List Battambang Gastronomy

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