Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO) was established and registered with Ministry of Interior on 30 June 2014 (SOR CHOR NOR No. 1352). It was born out of the desire to change the destiny of the Cambodian Indigenous Peoples Society to take charge on their culture and tradition and their customary rights to land and natural resources in their community as well as in Cambodia country.
CIPO has a strong belief that the indigenous peoples (IP), who have in-depth understanding of the local context, can work effectively (with relevance partners/stakeholders) to make real and sustainable change to the IPs society. Co-founded by a woman who is Bunong’s ethnic1 from Mondulkiri province, CIPO is a totally IP-led and managed organization that combines the best knowledge of IPs (locally and internationally) and Cambodian society with the ability to creatively respond to the needs for support from the IPs in Cambodia.
Since its inception CIPO has benefited from a diverse range of peoples, their ideas and the creative approaches they brought to rights, tradition and culture, social and economic development of the IPs in Cambodia. CIPO’s services have tailored to the long term development needs of the IPs include defining a clear ethnic identity, having rights to own and manage land and natural resources, and having access to market. We work to raise the bar of the IPs to take charge on their individual life, family and the whole IP community. We have, for example, advocating the Ministry of Planning to conduct population census and produce concrete information of the IPs, which is a foundation to develop the IPs in Cambodia. We empowered the IPs and co-facilitated, with the IPs, a creative process of community formation to be a platform to serve the benefits of the IPs in each community. We facilitated the processes of community land registration and provide legal support to the IPs, when needed.
This Strategic Plan for 2016 – 2020 continues to give emphasis to demonstrating results and to showing how the CIPO approach to IPs development brings collective benefit for social inclusion and change among the IP communities as well as Cambodia society.
In late December 2016, after a throughout consultation with relevant stakeholders, the SP was reviewed and revised to recognize the need to use a simple yet strong approach to ‘frame’ CIPO’s work to accelerate, increase and sustain the impact of change within the IP societies.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR
Identity
CIPO is an IP-led organization that combines the best knowledge of IP and Cambodian society context with the ability to creatively respond to the needs, for supports, of the IPs in Cambodia,
Vision
CIPO wants to see Indigenous Peoples (IP) with the capacity to proactively and responsively promote Indigenous Peoples Community (IPC) to be a permanent entity living with dignity within the multicultural society of Cambodia.
Mission
CIPO exists to improve well-being, rights and sustainable development of the IP communities, through strengthening the IPs’ sense of ownership on land and natural resources management, economic development and culture/tradition conservation.
Goal
CIPO’s goal is to build the capacity and empower the IPs to take lead and own the development processes of IP communities in Cambodia.
Values
Leadership: we believe in the potential of others (especially women and youth) to develop and define their own direction.
Non-discrimination: we value equitable relationships between peoples regardless of culture/tradition, ethnicity, status, hierarchy, gender, age, political trend or background.
Integrity and accountability: we value integrity and we believe in holding ourselves accountable to all stakeholders.
Solidarity and sacrifice: we value solidarity and we sacrifice for common spirit, collective benefits and commitment to develop and sustain IP community.
Who we work with
Our core programs relevant for work with diverse groups, both directly and in partnerships, including:
1. IP Communities;
2. Civil society organizations (CSOs), which includes non-government organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs);
3. Sub-national administrations;
4. Institutions and departments of central government; and
5. Private sector, where relevant to social development goals.
6. Development Partners (includes UN agencies)
