Announcements

ABOUT PONLOK CHOMNES NATIONAL POLICY FORUM

It has been over two years since the coronavirus pandemic began, putting immense pressure on global and regional public health systems and socio-economic development. The ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, have put significant efforts into fighting against the COVID-19. For instance, in 2020, the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF)[1] was developed to respond to the pandemic across the region. The Framework focuses on five broad strategies, including 1) enhancing health systems, 2) strengthening human security, 3) maximizing the potential of the intra-ASEAN market and broader economic integration, 4) accelerating inclusive digital transformation, and 5) advancing towards a more sustainable and resilient future. In Cambodia, the government’s effort to roll out its vaccination program and capacity to respond quickly and effectively has kept the pandemic under control. As of now, Cambodia is one of the top countries in the world for vaccination rates[2]. Consequently, the number of COVID-19 cases has been declining steadily.

To focus on the continued economic growth and development of Cambodia, ultimately improving the lives of the people; in December 2021, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched the Strategic Framework and Program for Cambodia’s Economic Recovery (2021-2023)[3] to restore the economy in the immediate- and medium-term, improve its potential and resilience, and ensure more sustainable and inclusive development in the long run, after having implemented a number of support programs to sustain its economy.

In the meantime, timely data and analysis are critical in the COVID-19 situation to achieve effective public policies. They can enable policymakers, development partners, and relevant stakeholders to make better decisions and achieve better outcomes. Notably, the government has demonstrated an openness to data-informed approaches during the pandemic, a trend that the Ponlok Chomnes: Data and Dialogue for Development in Cambodia program aims to support. Shortly after the hit of COVID-19, the Ponlok Chomnes program has taken immediate action by pivoting current programming activities[4] in response to this quickly evolving situation and directly supporting Australia’s Partnerships for Recovery Strategy.

Subsequently, the Ponlok Chomnes’ Core Partners[5] and Emerging and Collaborative Research Partners[6], among other research institutions, have conducted various pieces of research that examine the impacts of COVID-19 and government efforts on multiple sectors in Cambodia, including education, tourism, urban issues, garment, economic, and others.

Drawing on insights from Cambodia’s and ASEAN perspectives, the Ponlok Chomnes National Policy Forum (NPF) will be a platform for knowledge producers such as think tanks, academia, researchers, and other non-traditional research organizations to showcase their findings, discuss, exchange knowledge, and network with knowledge users, including policymakers and policy practitioners from state and non-state organizations by revisiting the governments’ efforts and providing recommendations that inform Cambodia’s and ASEAN future resilience to the crisis.

In late October 2022, The Asia Foundation will organize the Ponlok Chomnes National Policy Forum. Drawing on insights from Cambodia’s and ASEAN perspectives, the Ponlok Chomnes National Policy Forum (NPF) will be a platform for knowledge producers such as think tanks, academia, researchers, and other non-traditional research organizations to showcase their findings, discuss, exchange knowledge, and network with knowledge users, including policymakers and policy practitioners from state and non-state organizations by revisiting the governments’ efforts and providing recommendations that inform Cambodia’s and ASEAN future resilience to the crisis.

CALL FOR ABSTRACT OF A POLICY BRIEF

The Ponlok Chomnes National Policy Forum invites young policy researchers, academicians, and analysts from government and non-government institutions in Cambodia and across ASEAN to submit an abstract of a policy brief discussing a policy issue and solutions in Cambodia and ASEAN. The submitted abstract will be reviewed and selected to be presented at the Forum. The policy brief must be unpublished before.

Topic: the topic for the abstract must be related to several themes below:

• Cambodia or ASEAN’s post-COVID-19 recovery: resilience and responses; and
• Cambodia or ASEAN’s foreign policy and/or international relations in the context of a post-COVID-19 world;

Call for Abstract Instructions:

• The abstract must be between 300 to 500 words that contains the following information:
  • Title
  • Author’s name
  • Contact information
  • Keywords
  • Abstract Content

The abstract must present a brief analysis and policy recommendation(s) addressing one or more of the themes mentioned above.

Submission of the Policy Brief:

• Once shortlisted, the applicant must submit a 1,500 – 2,000-word policy brief, excluding footnotes, graphs, tables, and references.
• The policy brief must contain the following sections such as:
  • Title
  • Background and objectives
  • Significance of the policy brief
  • Analysis method
  • Findings and Discussion
  • Conclusion and Policy implications/options/recommendations
  • References
  • The author might also consider including tables, graphics, and pictures in the policy brief.
• The language of the policy brief should be written in English.

Benefits:

• The applicants will have the opportunity to present their policy brief and engage with policymakers, policy practitioners, and researchers in Ponlok Chomnes National Policy Forum;
• The applicants will have a chance to receive feedback from a technical editor on their policy brief;
• The applicants’ policy brief will be published as part of a collection of papers published for the National Policy Forum.

How to Apply:

• Interested candidates may submit their abstract and CV, and kindly fill out this form using this link: https://forms.gle/AkGk4mHzqtEuppFE7
• For more questions, please contact us at #59, Oknha Peich (Street 242) Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Email: ponlokchomnes@asiafoundation.org; Tel: +855 (0)23 210 431.
• For more information about Ponlok Chomnes, please visit our:
  • Website: https://policypulse.org/
  • Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/ponlokchomnes
  • Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/PonlokChomnes
  • LinkedIn Page: https://bit.ly/2UVJiYO
• Please submit your application no later than 24 July 2022 at 23:59 (Cambodia Time). Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

TIMELINE

[1] https://asean.org/book/asean-comprehensive-recovery-framework-implementation-plan/

[2] https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/kingdom-covid-indexs-no2

[3] https://policypulse.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/strategic-framework-and-programs-for-economic-recovery-.pdf

[4] THE PONLOK CHOMNES PROGRAM’S COVID-19 PIVOT: EVIDENCE-INFORMED POLICY FOR EFFECTIVE HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN CAMBODIA