Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra & Book: Behind the Scenes of Cambodian Diplomacy with Raoul Marc Jennar

Participate in an exceptional evening: on October 24th at The Gallery, at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, the public is invited to meet Raoul Marc Jennar, an essential figure in research on Cambodia and international politics.

A recognized specialist, consultant to the Cambodian government, and graduate in political science and khmer studies, Mr. Jennar combines the paths of an engaged activist, a field researcher, and a diplomatic advisor, having experienced the upheavals and rebirths of the kingdom over the past decades.

Raoul Marc Jennar, witness and actor

Born in Belgium in 1946, Raoul Marc Jennar saw his destiny change upon contact with South-East Asia that the Vietnam War and regional crises shook. Deeply marked by the injustice suffered by Cambodia, he has dedicated his career and commitments, whether academic, diplomatic, or activist.

From supporting the Cambodian government during the post-Khmer Rouge transition to supervising the UNESCO program " Culture de Paix," Jennar has asserted himself as an indispensable voice to understand the complex geopolitical drivers of the region.

Advisor, teacher at the Institut national de la diplomatie et des relations internationales, expert at the tribunal of the Khmer Rouge genocide, he still, after more than thirty years of research and action, offers a pertinent perspective on Cambodia....

A key book on Cambodian diplomacy

His latest work, " La politique étrangère du Cambodge entre 1945 et 2020," is the result of six years of meticulous investigations and analysis. Mr. Jennar traces the extraordinary odyssey of a country in search of sovereignty, security, and international recognition. From the dark years after independence, the tragedies of the 20th century — wars, international embargoes, dictatorships — to the slow resurgence enabled by the Paris agreements and integration into the regional Asian concert, Cambodia appears sometimes caught in a vice between the great world blocs, sometimes a courageous actor in its own foreign policy, determined to preserve its neutrality and territorial integrity.

The book sheds light on the contemporary dilemmas of a kingdom often rushed to choose its side, while aspiring to remain independent and open to the world. Through its ability to connect political analysis, unpublished archives, and direct testimonies, Jennar signs a major reference for anyone who wants to understand the current and past stakes of Cambodia, a space where history is played every day on the international chessboard....

To remember

A rare meeting with a man at the heart of history, open to all audiences: researchers, students, diplomats, or Asia enthusiasts. Come meet Raoul Marc Jennar and explore, through his words, the behind-the-scenes of a diplomacy that has never stopped fighting for independence and peace.

Free entry, October 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM, The Gallery – Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.