I am studying a Bachelors of Laws (Honours) and Commerce at the Australian National University. With parents who fled Cambodia as refugees, I grew up surrounded by diverse communities and stories of resilience. Hearing local community elders describe experiences of persecution and human rights violations similar to my parents’ experiences deepened my appreciation for the privileges of Australia’s democratic system and inspired me to join ASEAN.  My involvement and achievements since joining ASEAN include:

•⁠  ⁠A Youth Ambassador, Australian South East Asian Network (ASEAN) Ltd (2022–present) — supporting engagement with multicultural communities and young people since the organisation’s establishment by my father and community leaders.

•⁠  ⁠Active contributor to community events, including the annual ASEAN Summit, celebrating cultural achievements through art, performance, and initiatives strengthening social cohesion.

•⁠  ⁠Currently promoting the Michael Kirby ASEAN Award, a national initiative recognising human rights advocates, recently acknowledged in the NSW Legislative Council on 12 November.

•⁠  ⁠2023 Voice Campaign Advocate, assisting with community communication and engagement:

       o  Provided insights on youth engagement during        Refugee Week at the Laos Community Centre (Bonnyrigg), participating in a panel with MPs - Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite, Senator Dean Smith, Hon. Julia Finn and Tri Vo.

•⁠  ⁠Spoke at an ASEAN Network event at Parliament House, Canberra (2024), hosted by Hon. Andrew Charlton and Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite.

•⁠  ⁠Represented the Network at a roundtable on human rights in Cambodia, convened by the Assistant Minister, Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP.

 

My Leadership Vision:

My vision is to use the Network to connect young people with communities, national leaders, government officials and departments, giving them the confidence and support to speak up about the issues they care deeply about. I hope to see the youth network grow into a space that genuinely promotes social cohesion, bringing together young people from every part of Australia, strengthening their representation, and empowering them to advocate collectively for meaningful change.