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8 August 2024, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is proud to announce the signing of the Project – “Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitalization, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE)” also known as “Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitization Project Phase II”, with the generous support of $3 million from KOICA.

The project, which will span from 2024 to 2028, aims to further develop the Cambodian Memorial Sites, including the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM), former M-13 prison, and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, as the center of excellence for peace education and global citizenship education, and demonstrate it as a model memorial heritage site for learning and youth empowerment to promote peace.

The project will focus on four inter-sectoral yet complementary objectives, including 1) Disseminate the values of the Cambodian Memorial Sites through record conservation and the advancement of archive digitization; 2) Enhance conservation conditions and visitor environments for the conservation and dissemination of values of the Cambodian Memorial Sites; 3) Improve exhibitions to foster a better understanding of the Cambodian Memorial Sites; and 4) Promote peace education and global citizenship education.

It comes at a critical time of global upheaval. Ongoing conflicts and wars, soaring inequalities, and intensified mistrust and divisions in the world have led to the distortion of facts and history, the spread of dis-/misinformation and hate speech, in turn, causing polarization within societies.

It builds on the achievements of the Phase I project which saw 745,494 pages of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum archives preserved, 486,782 pages digitized and over 4 million indexed. In 2009, it was recognized as documentary heritage of international significance, for housing the largest evidence of the prison system during the Khmer Rouge regime.

H.E. BANDIT SAPHEACHA Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts stated that “The launch of Phase II of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitization Project is a proud moment for Cambodia. We are grateful for the support of the Republic of Korea through KOICA and UNESCO, which underscores our dedication to preserving our history and educating future generations.”

Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, highlighted that “As we safeguard this invaluable heritage through the partnership between UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and KOICA, we are also strengthening Cambodia’s position as a custodian of memory, peace and resilience on the global stage.”

Ms. Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office emphasized that, “We are honored to contribute to this landmark project. The second phase of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitization project is a testament to our fruitful collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and UNESCO, and our commitment to the shared values of peace and education.”

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, former M-13 prison, and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, once a site of immense suffering, are now a beacon of learning, peacebuilding and remembrance. With this project, it continues to serve as a platform for educating future generations about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime and the enduring importance of peace.

Read more about Phase I project here.