The Apsara National Authority (ANA) said that last year more than 700 youths were trained in sustainability and conservation work, development, tradition, customs and new discoveries in the preservation of Angkor.
The ANA revealed the number on March 3 as Cambodia marked the 23rd National Cultural Day under the theme “Youth for National Culture”.
In its Facebook post, the ANA said Angkor, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, is important for national identity so conservation and sustainable development training is considered priority work.
“In 2020, the Angkor Training Centre prepared 18 training courses to share experience as well as transfer knowledge for sustainable preservation work,” the ANA said.
“The courses include topics related to the heritage sector, development, history, tradition, religion as well as new discoveries. Participating were management, officers, employees and the public,” it said.
ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on March 3 that training people is one of its main tasks. In the past, Cambodia has always relied on foreigners as Cambodians lacked knowledge in this sector.
But he said that currently, Cambodians can do the work on their own without relying on foreign experts.
“Education of the younger generation will ensure there will be successors,” he said.
According to the ANA, last year the centre organised lectures with several speakers and shared knowledge and experience with officials, ANA staff, tour guides, the public and researchers who are working in the Angkor area. There were four lectures with a total of 200 participants.
