Cambodia & Advisors for French Citizens Abroad:Kaliane Tea, "Being close to the field"

Franco-Cambodian, marketing professional and president of the international association YUVACHUN, Kaliane Tea is on the Relais citoyen des Français du Cambodge list for the election of Advisors for French Citizens Abroad.

Committed to young people and the French and Franco-Khmer communities, she explains her motivations and her vision for representing French citizens living in Cambodia.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words — your background, education, and personal story?

I am Franco-Cambodian and grew up in Phnom Penh, where I attended the Lycée français René Descartes before continuing my higher education in France, in Toulouse and then Bordeaux.

After several years in the fashion industry in Paris, I returned to live with my family in Cambodia, which has always been both a home and a calling for me. Today, I work in marketing and project development within the Soma Group.

I am also president of YUVACHUN, an international association created in Paris that aims to connect and empower young Cambodians from around the world through cultural, leadership, and social impact initiatives.

What motivated you to run in this election? What was the trigger?

I wanted to get involved in electoral politics for the first time because I strongly believe in useful, concrete projects for youth and for the French and Franco-Khmer community in Cambodia.

Through my work in associations and my professional career, I have met many active young people, entrepreneurs, students, and families who are looking for more connections, networks, and sometimes simply accessible people to turn to.

When I discovered the approach of the Relais citoyen des Français du Cambodge, I was sensitive to this desire to be close to the field and to create a more accessible and human form of representation.

In your view, what are the main challenges facing French citizens living in Cambodia today?

I think access to reliable information, networking, and connections with local realities are important issues for many French people living here.

Sometimes it's easier to stay among expatriates, even though Cambodia is an extremely rich country in human and cultural terms. Creating more connections between the French and Cambodian communities is essential.

Like many French citizens abroad, I have also noticed that certain administrative procedures, especially regarding entrepreneurship or health coverage, can be complicated and deserve more support.

How do you plan to represent the diversity of the French community in Cambodia?

The French community in Cambodia is very diverse, with very different profiles, generations, and backgrounds. I think we must above all take the time to meet people, build connections, and remain accessible.

Our team reflects exactly this diversity, with complementary profiles from very different sectors. It is this human richness that allows us to better understand the expectations and lived realities of the French in Cambodia today.

What message would you like to send to French citizens in Cambodia who are still hesitant to vote?

This election only takes place once every six years and concerns very concrete aspects of our daily lives here in Cambodia.

Your voice matters, and voting allows you to participate in useful projects for our community, such as our Relais citoyen solidaire, which is in place for you. Voting is simple, fast, and accessible: it is important that everyone can make themselves heard!