Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: KOICA, UNESCO and Ministry of Culture launch Phase II of Archive Project

Preserving historical records is one of the most important foundations for educational growth and cultural preservation. Among various initiatives, the preservation and digitisation of the archives of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is crucial.

The Grant Arrangement was signed by Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of the KOICA Cambodia Office, and Alam Sardar Umar, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, while the Record of Discussion (RoD) was signed by Choi Moon Jung and H.E. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.

To address these challenges, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, has launched "Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitisation, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE) or (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitisation Project Phase II)".

The objectives of the project are to contribute to:

1. to disseminate the values of the Cambodian Memorial Sites (CMS) through the preservation of records and the promotion of the digitisation of archives

2. to improve the conservation conditions and visitor environment for the preservation and dissemination of the values of the CMS

3. to disseminate the understanding of the CMS through the improvement of exhibitions

4. to improve the understanding of peace through peace education

KOICA and UNESCO have formally signed a "Grant Arrangement" and the "Record of Discussion" with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia to launch the second phase of this project.

Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office, expressed the profound significance of this project. "KOICA’s relief project in Cambodia symbolises the shared sorrow and burden between the Cambodian and Korean people," she said.

"We aim to alleviate Cambodia’s grief and pain through this project, and it serves as a foundation to educate future generations about Cambodia’s tragic past in order to protect the country from similar tragedies in the future."

The first phase of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitisation Project has seen significant achievements, including the digitisation of over 745,494 pages and nearly half a million records. These records are now accessible through a bilingual website.

Building on the success of the first phase, KOICA has committed an additional US$3 million over five years, starting in 2024. This phase extends the project by one year and provides an additional US$1 million in funding compared to the original proposal. The project aims to promote a peaceful society through cultural and heritage education and youth empowerment, in line with Cambodia’s national strategy, the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea, KOICA has been and will continue to be committed to strengthening the partnership between the two countries and building a bridge between the people.