PM Hun Manet Praises PSE's 30 Years of Empowering Cambodian Youth

On the morning of July 2, 2026, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, presided over the 30th-anniversary celebration of the organization Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) and the graduation ceremony for students from the 2021-2024 academic year in Phnom Penh. Speaking at the event, Samdech Thipadei emphasized that the 30th anniversary of PSE not only marks a long journey over three decades but also serves as a testament to the transformation of the destinies of tens of thousands of Cambodian children and youth, guiding them from suffering towards a robust future with genuine careers. Noting the sustainability of PSE's operations following the passing of its co-founder, Christian des Pallieres, in 2016, Samdech Thipadei further highlighted that, "The success of an organization's leader is to ensure that the organization can continue to operate and grow, even in their absence." Samdech Thipadei highly commended PSE's approach, which focuses not only on immediate aid but also on enhancing long-term capacity and opportunities through vocational training, embodying the principle of "giving a fishing rod rather than a fish." He stated that providing a fishing rod fosters a mindset of self-reliance, creativity, and the ability to live independently without relying solely on external assistance. Samdech Thipadei affirmed that capable and healthy citizens are a national asset, serving as resources that can aid the government. He added that the government, in turn, gains greater capacity to continue assisting other vulnerable individuals, thereby collectively contributing to national development. Consequently, the government will continue to support PSE's mission in assisting disadvantaged citizens moving forward. Concurrently, Samdech Thipadei encouraged young people to always have dreams and hope. He stressed that perseverance and today's hard work are for their future success, urging them to set goals with dreams and use hope as a driving force. Furthermore, he advised youth to diligently expand their capabilities with integrity, grounded in learning, and then to acquire additional skills in practical societal contexts, as opportunities will not be granted to those lacking ability or quality. Before concluding, Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that the government does not impose restrictions on the freedoms of civil society organizations in Cambodia. On the contrary, the government consistently provides support and encouragement for all activities that comply with the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia. It welcomes all sincere and constructive efforts from all stakeholders to contribute to the development of Cambodian society. Specifically, the government strongly supports PSE because the organization has played a significant role in rescuing poor Cambodian children and providing educational opportunities, vocational training, and decent employment prospects for Cambodian youth for over three decades.