Following decades of violence that included the Khmer Rouge “killing fields,” incursions by the Vietnamese army, and long-term guerrilla conflict, Cambodia held elections in 1993 and continues to rebuild. Charya Chet is deputy executive director of Star Kampuchea, which promotes democracy by strengthening civil society in the country. Ms. Chet lobbies the Cambodian government on the creation, passage, and implementation of laws that foster peace and the development of a culture of human rights; oversees implementation of these laws throughout Cambodian provinces; and teaches others to do the same. She has worked with other peace-building organizations, including Ponleu Khmer, the umbrella organization that facilitates government implementation of laws relating to human rights, and the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. (Last updated 02.2004)

A refugee who fled to the United States just before Pol Pot took control of her country in 1975, Nanda Pok returned to Cambodia in 1992 determined to be part of reconstruction and development. She is the founder and executive director of Women for Prosperity, an organization that promotes women’s political participation in Cambodia. Ms. Pok acted as an official monitor during the general elections in 1998 and 2003 and in 2002 chaired the Coordinating Committee for the Commune Council Election, which provided voter education to the public and trained and placed observers at every polling station during that year’s election. Under Ms. Pok’s leadership, Women for Prosperity has trained more than 5,500 women to run for political office. Prior to the July 2003 general election, the group organized a forum bringing together representatives from women’s groups, non-governmental organizations, political parties, and government to discuss women’s involvement in politics. Participants recommended that at least 30 percent of those on the political party lists be women. (Last updated 10.2003)

Read about other peace builders.