Phnom Penh (FN), Feb 28 – Around 30 American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) students organized the Model ASEAN Meeting from 22-24 February 2019 at AUPP's state-of-the-art campus, attended by 100 students from 16 universities and high schools in Phnom Penh.

The delegates representing each ASEAN country had the opportunity to present their human trafficking related issues challenging their respective countries. They have identified the causes of human trafficking issue and brought up highly recommended solutions to tackle the issues.

Hay Chariya, 21, a senior of Global Affairs at AUPP, said Wednesday that she made more progress to gain deeper understanding from Model ASEAN Meeting.

“In 2017, I started my journey with this kind of event as a Cambodian delegate participating in ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting 2017 in Manila, Philippines. In 2018, I continued this path by bringing it to my university, American University of Phnom Penh,” Chariya said, adding that “In 2018, I made more progress to gain deeper understanding of the event by participating in the ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting Training of Trainers (AFMAM TOT) in Jakarta, Indonesia".

“This year in 2019, I still carry on this journey by becoming a coordinator of this Second Model ASEAN Meeting at AUPP. This is not a success that I created alone, but by my wonderful team members, amazing delegates, and our supportive guests and the whole AUPP community,” she underlined.

The simulation provides university and high school students the knowledge of ASEAN meeting procedures and makes them more engaged in the understanding of human trafficking. The model meeting, on the other hand, encourages the participants to share their thoughts, experience, and perspectives.

“Young, ASEAN people have not only contributed to all stages of social economic development of the country, but also in advancing cooperation and relation between Cambodia and other countries in the region and other parts of the world,” said H.E. Yeab Samnang, designated Cambodian Ambassador to ASEAN.

Cambodia is party to several international covenants prohibiting the trafficking of persons and the exploitation of women and children.

The 2nd Model ASEAN Meeting at AUPP’s campus could not be made successful and memorable without the wholehearted support from the AUPP community.

AUPP is the only university in Cambodia that offers accredited U.S. dual degrees, meaning that students in Cambodia and from the region can experience top quality U.S. higher education and obtain its fully accredited U.S. degrees right here at AUPP in Cambodia. The U.S. degree is offered in addition to the degree from AUPP through the dual degree programs.