Cambodia Development Resource Institute 2016-2021

During 2019 - 2020 CDRI had in general successful years in line with strategy and plans. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 created some challenges for research and especially for outreach activities and changed participation in regional and international conferences and seminars from in-person to digital engagement. The effects of the pandemic have however been more limited for CDRI than for many other activities in Cambodia. Demand for CDRI’s research publications has been increasing as can be seen from the volume of downloads from CDRI’s website. This demand comes from universities, government agencies, research institutions and NGOs among others, and is a demonstration of the capabilities of CDRI’s inhouse publishing and the quality of the publications. The printed publications however anchor CDRI’s reputation as a leading research institute and raise Cambodian researchers’ profiles internationally and in country. Apart from the annual review meeting several other ad hoc meetings were held with the Executive Director (ED), Chairman of the Board of Directors and with different groups of researchers. The Swedish Ambassador, Björn Häggmark, did meet with the ED and Heads of the different research centers and had fruitful discussions on several issues regarding Cambodian economic, political and social development. Some of the research highlights from 2018 were: CDRI continued to have a research focus on Agriculture, Economics, Education, Environment, Governance, Gender Equity, and Inclusive Growth. During the year CDRI researchers conducted 40 research projects, participated in 8 regional research projects and attended 15 regional events. Some examples of the research conducted in 2020 are: The project Network for Agriculture and Rural Development Think-tanks for Countries in Mekong Sub-region) on Integrating smallholders into commercialization through PPP. Research on Cambodia Gender and Inclusive Development Analysis (GIDA) aims to inform USAID’s workplans regarding Cambodia’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for 2020-2025. A three-year (2020-2023) research to provide a rapid assessment of the pandemic on socio-economic welfare of women, vulnerable groups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and to investigate pathway governments might consider in its efforts to ensure long-term post-pandemic recovery. The Phase I of the project on The Contribution of Vocational Skills Development to Inclusive Industrial Growth and Transformation: An analysis of Critical Factors in 6 Countries. The dissemination workshop was organised together with publication of the Working Paper. The study on "Forced Adoption of Educational Technology during the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Case of Higher Learning Institution in a Developing Economy" measures technological readiness, preparedness, and particularly the adoption of virtual learning technologies, which is the hallmark in Cambodian higher learning institutions. The project "Understanding Cambodian Deans' Conceptions and Approaches to University Accountability" has captured and grasped a much clearer picture on accountability concept and practices and system governance at Cambodian universities. The project on "Characteristics and Issues of Internship at Cambodian Private Firms" concluded with significant highlights that allow us to understand the pulling factors from Cambodian private firms to attract talents from higher learning institutions to intern at their firms and the pushing factors that make students interested in cultivating their vocational capabilities through internship opportunities. The project ‘ReFashion’ aims to study garment workers’ challenges and mitigation strategies for their social protection and social safety net during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The following four outcomes have been identified for the intervention:1) To generate independent, scientific and high quality policy-relevant research outputs that contribute to Cambodia's development in the areas of Agriculture; Economy; Education; Environment; Governance and Health, taking into account cross-cutting ussues such as inclusive growth, sustainability and gender equality;2) To maximise CDRI's influence on policy formulation through the increased availability and accessability of targeted policy materials that engage decision-makers;3) To strengthen and internal and external research capacity and advance the research Culture in Cambodia and offer capacity development related to CDRI's research;4) To build a more sustainable future for CDRI through the deepening of its "Cambodianisation" agenda; the recruitment and retention of competent, committed, responsible and accountable staff; and a systematic and pragmatic resource mobilisation strategy.