Cambodia Forum - ICT Platform Report

Accelerating
Research + Collaboration
with ICTs
Report to the
Cambodia Development Research Forum
Prepared by:
Mark Surman, Innovation Fellow

msurman@commons.ca
215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 400

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2C7
+1 (416) 644-1033
www.socialinnovation.ca
May 30, 2006

Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs 1
Table of Contents
Background...............................................................................................................3
Partner brainstorming and capacity check-in..................................................................3
Next steps: charting a course......................................................................................4
Imagine: collaboration and innovation...........................................................................5
Current situation........................................................................................................5
Things we can do.......................................................................................................6
Where it could go.......................................................................................................7
Working together: accelerating with ICTs.......................................................................9
The basics: shared online platform...............................................................................9
Idea #1: simple online communication amongst partners..............................................10
Idea #2: single access point for Cambodian research....................................................10
Idea #3: cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers...............................................11
Idea #4: sharing advanced, high end infrastructure .....................................................11
Idea #5: improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners......................................................12
Additional ideas........................................................................................................12
The way forward.......................................................................................................13
Risks and issues to consider ......................................................................................13
Appendix A: Partner brainstorm and capacity overview..................................................14
Appendix B – ICT priorities identified by partners..........................................................15
Appendix C – Reports from each of the partners...........................................................16
Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Background
In late 2007, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) invited all of the people and
organizations that it works with in Cambodia to an 'All Partners Meeting'. This day long event
provided an opportunity for partners to share information about their research, discuss common
themes and issues and identify opportunities for collaboration. It ended with a clear call from all
attending: we need to collaborate like this more often!
As a result of this meeting, IDRC's partners formed the Cambodia Development Research Forum.
Coordinated by the CBNRM Learning Institute (LI) and the Cambodia Development Research
Institute (CDRI), the Forum's initial focus will be: convening yearly gatherings to share research
results; stimulating new collaborative research through a small grants fund; and improving the
effectiveness of member organizations through joint initiatives. The Forum's first meeting will take
place in June 2008.
As a part its efforts to improve the capacity and effectiveness, the Forum will undertake an initiative
to promote the accelerated use of information and communication technologies amongst
members. In order to under lay the ground work for this effort, IDRC asked the Centre for Social
Innovation to:
● Conduct a diagnostic of online networking, collaboration and other ICT enabled opportunities
amongst Cambodia Development Research Forum partners.
● Based on this list of opportunities, develop a series of 'accelerated ICT platform' options for
review by the Forum members.
● Provide remote support to the Forum during the planning and implementation phase of ICT
initiatives that they select.
This report provides both an overview of ICT challenges and opportunities and a set of options for
consideration by Forum members. It is an intended as an input to the Forum process and as a
springboard to further planning and action.
Partner brainstorming and capacity check-in
While the idea of an 'accelerated ICT platform' was introduced early in the Forum discussions, there
was no clear picture of what this might include. In February 2008, Mark Surman from the Centre for
Social Innovation in Canada along with Hein Mallee and Jacqueline Loh from IDRC's Singapore office
traveled to Cambodia to discuss the ICT platform idea. This trip included in depth interviews on both
existing ICT capacity and future opportunities with 12 Forum members. It also included two
meetings to discuss the overall Forum concept and to prioritize ideas for joint work around ICTs.
Based on these discussions, there is clear enthusiasm for the idea of a Forum ICT platform,
especially if it can collectively benefit and increase the capacity of all Forum members. There is also
a strong interest in using the Internet to share research results with peers and policy makers. Many
member also want to improve their own internal ICT capacity.
However, there is also caution. While all Forum members already use computers and the Internet in
their work, ICT capacity remains uneven amongst the partners. Most of the capacity that does exist
is in Phnom Penh, with very poor Internet access and computer skills available in the provinces.
Members expressed concern that taking on joint ICT efforts that were too complex could widen

these gaps.
As one Forum member said in an interview: 'keep it simple'. This is the bottom line. Forum members
should work together on the accelerated use of ICTs, but these efforts should start small and grow
from there. More importantly, they should focus on activities that are reasonably straight forward to
implement and have the potential to significantly benefit all of the Forum members. The ideas
outlined below have been selected with these criteria in mind. Note: detailed research the February
meetings are included in Appendix C of this report.
Next steps: charting a course
With a collection of simple 'accelerated ICT' ideas now on the table, it is up to the Forum members
to decide whether and how to move ahead with these ideas. A small amount of funding to cover
these efforts has been included in the IDRC grant provided to underwrite the base workings of the
Forum. However, additional funds will definitely be needed if the Forum is to take on serious efforts
in shared ICT capacity building or creating a joint repository of Cambodian development research.
Members will consider these issues at the inaugural meeting of the Forum at the end of April 2008.

Imagine: collaboration and innovation
Imagine a world where the ideas and skills needed to help Cambodia develop are not only easy to
find, but are also being turned into action. This world has been created in part through years of
collaboration amongst Cambodian research organizations. These organizations regularly share
results and collaborate on projects, creating a cohesive web of knowledge about development
challenges and opportunities. This knowledge has gained respect with policymakers and even
businesses. They see that research can help them make better decisions, and acting accordingly.
While this access to knowledge does magically usher in development, it does make development
efforts easier, and and more likely to succeed.
The good news is that this world is possible. In fact, it is very much within our reach. The creation of
the Cambodian Development Research Forum is one step towards creating this world. Making
simple, strategic investments in accelerate ICT use amongst Forum members is another. The
diagrams below show how these ICT investments fit into changing the development landscape in
Cambodia.
Current situation
At present, all of the Forum members use ICTs in their work. Some are simply using computers and
the Internet in for basic word processing and emails. A few have moved on to more advanced
applications like research databases and information sharing on the web. Despite this baseline
capacity, all of the Forum members also have challenges with ICTs:
web
site
 
 Policy
 research
not shared
makers
Forum Member

 hard to
engage
scattered policy
documents
 makers
 
unreliable,
expensive
 Internet

 
Forum  
Member Forum
 uneven
Member
high ICT ICT skills
staff turnover
The Forum members universally struggle with expensive and unreliable Internet access, even in
Phnom Penh. In the provinces, Internet access and electricity vary between poor to non-existent.
Infrastructure challenges are exacerbated in many organizations by a lack of skilled ICT support
staff and by poor practices in areas like document sharing. As a result of all this, there is little

information flow within the research community and it is very difficult to provide well
packaged research results to policymakers.
Note: an overview of current capacity and needs is included in Appendix A. Details for each
organization are in Appendix C.
Things we can do
While there is no magic wand that can address all of the ICT challenges faced by Cambodian
research organizations, a number of simple actions could have a real and positive impact. A first
step is to creation a web site and e-mail list for the Cambodia Development Research Forum. This
would give all partners an easy way to publish and share information. An online library to store and
access Cambodian research results would help with this even further.
web
site 
Policy
 Forum makers
Web Site!
Forum Member

 
Online Email
library list

Good,
affordable
Internet
 
Forum 
Member ICT Forum
skills + Member
 support
more skilled
ICT staff
available
Setting up these basic information sharing tools could be accompanied by efforts to improve core
skills and infrastructure. A joint ICT support unit (or even just one person) could be created using
the e-rider model, offering all Forum members access to basic tech help as well as assistance with
developing in house technology and web strategy plans. At the same time, partners could join
together to negotiate with Internet providers for better rates and service quality. Twelve
organizations – all of whom buy expensive leased Internet lines – represent a significant negotiating
block. If successful, the Forum members could also work with ISPs to get better service for Internet
traffic within Cambodia, essentially creating a Cambodia Research and Education Network (C-REN).
All of these things are straight forward and have been done in other places. Given adequate
resources and people, all should be achievable within a reasonably short time line.

Where it could go
Of course, the real story is not about simple improvements to ICT capacity, but rather what these
improvements mean for the members of the Forum. Introducing basic information sharing tools and
an online library will dramatically improve access to current research by and for Cambodian
researchers. It will also make it easier to access, synthesize and package research results for
policymakers: a stated goal of Forum members. Providing ICT capacity support will help further,
making it more likely that researchers will share their information with each other. It also increases
the likelihood that Forum members will improve their own ICT capacity and move on to advanced
activities such as running their own web sites.

good ideas
shared better
global
connections
web
site 
Policy
 Forum policy makers
Web Site! makers
engaged
Forum Member

 
Online Email
library list forum members
 collaborating
Good, research
affordable accessible
Internet + well used

Forum
Member
web more
site partners
have web
 sites

ICT
skills +
Forum Member
support 
more skilled
ICT staff
available
However, the bigger potential of an accelerating the ICT capacity of Cambodian development
researchers is in the ideas and applications that we can't even imagine yet. Open ended access to
research networks in the 1970s and 1980s led to many unexpected innovations in North America
and Europe, including the Internet itself. Building basic information sharing infrastructure, investing
in ICT capacity and working with ISPs to create a Cambodian Development Research Network (C-
REN) will hopefully lead to exactly these kinds of surprising innovations in Cambodia.

Working together: accelerating with ICTs
As noted above, the February meetings in Phnom Penh included the prioritization of joint ICT
activities that might be undertaken by the Forum. In addition to a basic online platform, which was
taken as a given, the top ideas included:
● Simple online communication amongst partners

● Single access point for Cambodian research
● Cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers
● Sharing advanced, high end infrastructure (e.g. GIS)
● Improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners
These ideas were drawn from the in-depth discussions held with each of the Forum members. They
were then prioritized at a meeting of most partners (see Appendix B). Each idea is elaborated below
to allow for further review and consideration at the upcoming CDRF meeting.
The basics: shared online platform

Vision: A simple, modern, dynamic web site and e-newsletter for the Cambodia Development
Research Forum. This site will provide a window into the work of each individual partner and
an overview of the Forum as a whole. It will also raise the profile of development research
amongst policymakers, the media and others. The site will be in Khmer and English.
Features: Benefits:
1. Front page with regularly updated news from 1. All partners have a channel to profile
partners and a brief description of the Forum. themselves and their work.
2. Quarterly email newsletter for researchers 2. Everyone can see the 'big picture' of
summarizing most interesting news. Cambodian development research, making
3. Email + print newsletter for policymakers it easier to identify opportunities for
highlighting research results from partners. . collaboration.
4. Directory of all partners. Can link to partner 3. Development research is constantly on
web site, or act as mini-site for partners who the mind of policy makers and others who
don't have site of their own. receive newsletters.
5. Simple document repository for Forum 4. Forum has basic e-infrastructure needed
materials, supplemented by full featured online to communicate with members and the
research library (below). work it is doing.
Approach: The online platforms will be maintained by experienced Participatory Development
Communication (PDC) staff at CBNRM-LI, with these people acting as editors and animators.
The PDC staff essentially act as 'ICT Acceleration Activists', helping partners to learn about
online communication and to contribute their own content to the site. The site itself should be
built using an existing software like Drupal (works in Khmer already). Systems like this allow
non-technical users to post their own content and make it easy to add new features in future.
Lead partner: CBNRM-LI as managing partner Financing: The existing 'programming' and
for the site, with all partners contributing their 'services' line items in the Forum budget
own news and documents to the site. At least should cover basic web site creation.
one full time PDC + a part time overall However, additional (or reallocated)
coordinator should be dedicated to this effort. resources will be needed for staffing.
Risks and obstacles: Setting up a web site and e-mail newsletter is easy. Getting partners
to contribute interesting content is difficult. Motivating policymakers (and even other
researchers) to read this material is hardest of all. The bulk of web site resources should go
into editing, animating and promoting site content. A PDC approach will help here.

Idea #1: simple online communication amongst partners

Vision: A simple way for Forum members to communicate with each other online. This allows
researchers to ask for help and information when they need it. It also offers a regular flow of
information about 'what's going on' in the Cambodian development research community.
Features: Benefits:
1. Basic e-mail list with searchable web archive 1. Researchers have easy access to each
of all postings. other when they need help and advice.
2. Any member of the Cambodian development 2. Over time, creates a sense of community
research can sign up and post. amongst researchers in Cambodia.
Approach: Set up simple email list(s) to start. Allow Forum members to post so they can
communicate with each other. Also, include email contact info in web site directory.
Partners: Run by CBNRM-LI as part of basic Financing: Should be possible to cover this
web site activities. from main web platform budget.
Risks and obstacles: This is a low cost / low risk approach using simple technology.
Expansion only happens if there is demand.
Idea #2: single access point for Cambodian research

Vision: Cambodia Development Research Online Library that houses locally produced
research, especially from Forum members. The library would make it easy for researchers and
students to find useful research by Cambodians about Cambodia. It would also ensure results
and (possibly) data sets produced by Cambodian researchers would be archived for posterity.
Features: Benefits:
1. Digital repository of research results from all 1. Forum partners have a place to publish
Cambodian researchers (or possibly just Forum and share their research results online.
partners?). 2. Students and emerging researchers have
2. Online search and retrieval of research results access to current research results,
in PDF or plain text format. improving their skills and the relevance of
3. Indexing of all materials in 'federated' open their own research.
access catalogues such as the IDRC digital 3. Professional researchers save time by
library. having results from colleagues 'at their
4. Offline, walk-in access and printing through fingertips'.
CDRI library and other sites run by partners. 4. Cambodian research results are well
5. High profile link from main Forum web site. archived and protected for posterity.
Approach: The Cambodia Development Research Online Library could be built on top of the
existing CDRI library catalogue, which is running on top of widely used open source library
management / open access software. This would, of course, depend on whether CDRI is
interested in taking on this expanding library role and on financing. Offline access could be
offered directly at the CDRI library, which is already well used by students. Library hours
could be extended to include the weekend as a part of this Forum initiative.
Partners: CDRI as host for the library (if Financing: Even if CDRI will host, new
willing), with all partners benefiting and funds will be needed to extend the platform
contributing by providing research results. and cover increased operating costs.
Risks and obstacles: Partners may be concerned about consultants or commercial interests
using their research to make a profit (this has already been flagged). This risk can be
managed either by using a license that limits use of research results to non-profit, educational
purposes or by holding back more detailed data sets and only publishing final reports.

Idea #3: cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers

Vision: This idea has two parts. 1. Forum partners secure cheaper, better quality Internet
access by negotiating with with ISPs as a consortium / buying club. 2. Work with ISPs to
create a Cambodia Research and Education Network (C-REN) that leverages existing
infrastructure to create a high speed network for researchers and educators within Cambodia.
Features: Benefits:
1. Standard discounted rate / improved service 1. Fast way to address with the problem of
quality for Internet services purchased by Forum slow, expensive Internet service. This was
partners based in Phnom Penh. (short term) the biggest ICT challenge identified by
2. Improved service for Forum partner offices Forum partners.
based outside Phnom Penh. (medium term) 2. Significant acceleration of what partners
3. High speed / low cost network connecting can do with ICTs is C-REN can be created.
research and education institutions in Cambodia. Allows video conferencing, shared GIS and
(long term) other high end applications.
Approach: 1. Access consortium: Forum members approach the major ISPs as a buying
block, offering to move all of their business to one provider if they can get a good deal /
better service. 2. C-REN: Create a high speed 'virtual network' between research and
education institutions. This network is high speed / low cost as it only handles traffic within
Cambodia. This avoids international bandwidth bottlenecks and high costs. Existing Internet
infrastructure is used. ISPs simply need to agree to set up their routers in a particular way to
make this happen. This is a model common in other countries.
Partners: Led by iReach working with all Financing: Negotiating for standard rates
partners as well as private ISPs. May also involve is a low/no cost activity. C-REN is relatively
Ministry of Telecom. low cost as it uses existing infrastructure. A
small consulting study would be required to
assess feasibility and actual costs.
Risks and obstacles: With the consortium model, the main risk is that the ISPs simply won't
agree to offer discounts. However, it is worth trying to get these discounts. There is nothing to
lose. With the C-REN, the major risk is that it is not possible to build the right partnerships
between the ISPs, government and research sector. The best way to manage this risk is to
ensure there is up front support for the idea from high profile people.
Idea #4: sharing advanced, high end infrastructure

Vision: Once a C-REN is in place, partners could share high end online infrastructure such as
video conferencing and GIS systems.
Features: Benefits:
1. Video conferencing within Cambodia / 1. Lower cost through cost sharing.
amongst Forum members. 2. Increased collaboration using tools like
2. Video based education by Forum members. video conferencing.
3. Shared research tools such as GIS and 3. Increased ICT use by Khmer only
advanced data management. speaking researchers via video.
Approach: These new tools could be rolled out over the C-REN if and when it is in place.
Lead partner: To be determined. Financing: Additional funding needed.
Risks and obstacles: There is high demand for high end tools like video conferencing.
However, the base infrastructure needed to make these tools useful just isn't available yet.
The biggest risk is trying to push these tools into use too quickly. Don't do this now.

Idea #5: improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners

Vision: Improve the capacity of ALL Forum members through shared training and access to
technical support. At the simplest level, this capacity building should include training on how
to use the Forum web site and how increase the impact of your research using online
communications. It is clear all partners would benefit from this. The capacity building effort
could be extended beyond this to include ongoing hands-on technical support and assistance
available to all of the partners on an as needed basis.
Features: Benefits:
1. Training on Forum web site for all partners. 1. ALL partners get to a similar level in
Includes how to post materials and promote your terms of ICT capacity, moving the research
organization on the web site. community along together.
2. Training on how to increase the impact of 2. Internal teams at Forum partner orgs
research through online communication and increase skill rather than using consultants.
networking. 3. Over time, increased skill leads to
3. Ongoing shared tech support and assistance increased collaboration using ICTs.
for partners using the 'e-rider' model. 4. Mitigates problem of ICT staff turnover.
Forum members support each other.
Approach: As most partners are in or near Phnom Penh, training sessions can be offered face
to face on a once or twice a year basis. This might be tied into the All Partners meetings.
Shared tech support could be offered using the 'e-rider' model, which uses roving technology
consultants to work on a one-to-one basis with organizations focused on a common theme or
activity (see: www.eriders.net). These e-riders would have a mix of technology and
communications skills.
Partners: CBNRM-LI could coordinate this work Financing: The training component of this
as it has a strong PDC / IT team, and there are is already covered in the Forum project
training resources its portion of the IDRC budge. budget from IDRC. Additional dedicated
If the e-rider position was created, it could be funding would need to be found if the
housed at CBNRM-LI, CSD or iReach. Forum wants to hire an e-rider / tech
support person.
Risks and obstacles: The biggest challenge relates to the uneven ICT capacity amongst
partners. This can be managed in two ways: through a peer mentoring approach to the
training sessions and through the customized supported offered by e-riders.
Additional ideas
Many of the conversations also surfaced the need for individual capacity building and support
for the Forum members. The bulk of these needs can be addressed by the concepts above,
especially the 'e-rider' shared tech support and training service. However, there are some cases,
such as moving the Council for Social Development's court case database online, which could
warrant targeted funding and support. These opportunities are flagged in the individual interview
pages in Appendix C.
Also, one of the biggest challenges for all Forum partners is rural Internet access and technical
support. There may be ways that Forum members can leverage the experience of iReach in
addressing this critical issue. However, this opportunity it currently limited to the two locations
where iReach is working.

The way forward
As noted above, the next step in this process is for the Cambodia Development Research Forum
members to review the ideas outlined above. In addition to covering general issues related to the
forum, this meeting will provide an opportunity:
1. Decide which of ICT ideas outlined above should be pursued;
2. Further elaborate on ideas that remain a priority;
3. Identify partners to lead the different elements.
Based on this input, CBNRM-LI and CDRI will develop an action plan for the of the ICT acceleration
strategy. They will also identify areas where additional resources are needed, and will work with
IDRC to find ways to address these resource gaps. One likely strategy will be to jointly invite other
donors to join the Forum. These donors would at the same time be encouraged to some component
of the ICT strategy.
Risks and issues to consider
There are a number of risks to keep in mind as the ICT acceleration strategy and action plan are
developed. At the technology level, the issues to consider include:
● All members face significant capacity, financial and infrastructure constraints when it comes
to ICTs. The Forum ICT platform idea needs to take these constraints into account. Stay
simple!
● The biggest risk is leaving partners with lower ICT capacity behind. Anything we do must to
include both upfront and ongoing capacity building to ensure that they partners have the
chance to engage. We need to invest in the ICT capacity of individual members.
● ICT funds in Forum project are not organized around the priorities described in this report.
Also, it is likely that these funds will not cover all priorities. CBNRM-LI and CDRI will need
need to review the structure of Forum ICT funds.
Mark Surman will remain available to the Forum coordinators during the development of the action
plan. He can assist in developing approaches that manage these risks.
In addition, there are a number of issues to keep in mind around the overall development of the
Forum. These include:
● There is some risk of duplication or confusion between the networking activities of the Forum
and the activities of DReST. This needs to be monitored during Forum start. Also further
discussion should take place with the DReST team to integrate and learn from their activities.
● There is still confusion and debate about the audience of the Forum. Is it just researchers and
students? ... policymakers? ... local communities? This needs to be clarified.
These issues must be addressed to ensure that the both the Forum and the accelerated ICT strategy
succeed. IDRC's Hein Mallee and Jacqueline Loh will be available to work with the Forum members
on issues like these.

Appendix A: Partner brainstorm and capacity overview
The following is an overview of findings from the capacity and ICT brainstorm interviews. This table
is based on the detailed notes provided in Appendix C.
CBRNMLI
CelAgrid
WBEIA
NPWSO
PMCR
LCSW
CRCD
CFDD
iReach
CDRI
CSD
CFO
Current ICT use and capabilities
Computers available to research staff            
Internet access available to research staff            
SMS / mobile coordination with field staff     
Inhouse IT support staff     
Adhoc / outsourced IT support  ?    
Web site (basic)       
Web site (advanced / database driven)  
Posts research results and reports online      
Internal library database  
Library database shared with partners and public  
Databases for info / evaluation management      
Unreliable or slow Internet access (raised in interview)       
Expensive Internet access (raised in interview)      
ICT ideas mentioned during interviews
Internet access buying consortium  
Library of locally produced research          
A way to communicate amongst members       
Shared ICT training 
Shared videoconferencing site   
Sharing of tech resource people (e.g. GIS)   
Research project web sites 
Package research for decision makers   
Access to academic journals   
Info about the Forum 
Archive old datasets and reports (library+++) 
Shared tech support 
Newsletter about Forum members   
Directory of Forum members (w/ links)    
Public access site / ICT lab for researchers
Info on research events and seminars  
Peer help desk for researchers 
Collective blogs by Forum members  
CBRNMLI
CelAgrid
WBEIA
NPWSO
CFDD
LCSW
CRCD
iReach
CDRI
CSD
CFO

Appendix B – ICT priorities identified by partners
On the final day of interviews in Phnom Penh, the majority of the Forum partners gathered at
CBNRM-LI to talk about the ICT Platform. The first half of the meeting was spent providing an
overview of the broad spectrum of what ICTs can do and looking at examples of ICT innovation from
around the world. The second half was spent reviewing and prioritizing ideas that emerged in the
interviews detailed below. The ideas were ranked as follows:
Priority Ideas Votes Difficulty Remarks

(1 - 10)
Internet access buying consortium 8 7 Worth trying, even
if it doesn't succeed
Library of locally produced research 7 5 House at CDRI
if possible
Way to communicate amongst members 7 2 E-mail list
Shared ICT training 6 5 Use e-rider model
Shared video conferencing site 5 9 Don't do now
Shared of tech resource people (eg. GIS) 4 5 Merge w/ training
Research project web sites 4 6 Defer unless
stronger demand
Package research for decision makers 4 4 Include in basic
newsletter effort
Access to academic journals 4 2 Should be easy,
maybe do
Info about the Forum 3 1 Include in web site
Archive old datasets and reports (library+) 3 8 Don't do now
Shared tech support 2 5 Merge w/ training
Newsletter about Forum members 2 3 Include in web site
Directory of Forum members (w/ links) 2 3 Include in web site
Public access to info site (w/ local versions) 1 9 Don't do
Info on research events and seminars 1 2 Include in web site
Peer help desk for researchers 0 7 Don't do
Collective blogs by Forum members 0 6 Hard to motivate
people
While this was just a quick prioritization with limited discussion, it matches well with the needs and
ideas that emerged during the interviews. Some merging and refinement took place in writing the
concepts outlined earlier in this paper. Forum members will likely want to evolve these ideas
further at their meeting at the end of April.

Appendix C – Reports from each of the partners
The following pages include detailed notes on interviews with 12 members of the Cambodia
Development Research Forum. The organizations interviewed include:
1. Community Based Natural Resource Management Learning Institute (CBNRM-LI)

2. Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development (CelAgrid)
3. Community Fisheries Development Division (CFDD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries
4. Participatory Management of Coastal Resources (PMCR), Ministry of the Environment
5. Legal Support for Children and Women (LCSW)
6. Cambodian Research Centre for Development (CRCD)
7. Ministry of Environment EEPSEA Project
8. Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI)
9. Center for Social Development (CSD)
10. Community Forestry Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
11. Livelihoods in Protected Areas Research Project (LiPA)
12. i-REACH Project
Each organization was asked about their general hopes for the Forum, their current uses of
computers, the Internet and other ICTs and about their ideas on how the Forum could use ICTs
collaboratively.

CBNRM Learning Institute (project co-lead)
● Mission: learning and research on community-based natural resource management

● Strong information gathering and communication part of organizational DNA
● Commitment to participatory / community based communication
● Two departments working in this area: Learning and Sharing and Communications
● Worked closely with Communications team manager Sothyro (last name) throughout our
interviews
● He is likely point person / facilitator re: most ICT platform work within the Forum
● Experience gathering and sharing information w/in a network via DREST project (via email)
● Communications team has six people: 1 manager; 3 Participatory Development
Communication (PDC) support people; and two IT support people
● PDC people are combination writer / facilitator /editor role that help with info sharing
● Opportunity: we could use this PDC approach to gather and share information for the
Forum. This would mean hiring and dedicating a person to this task.
● Databases used for monitoring and evaluation
● Internal digital library in 1.0 version that houses CBRN LI images and documents
● Partners contribute library content and get local copy of database in exchange
● Database and library software written by Communications department staff
● Challenge: the Web and ICTs are still hard for people. They can't always use the advanced
functions we give them in systems like our library database.
● Challenge: people often say 'yes, I will contribute to this online forum' and then they don't.
This is what happened with All CBNRM eForum.
● Anything the Forum does with ICTs needs to be very simple, and in both languages.
● Also, should include ICT mentoring support for all partners.
● Critical task for Forum: engage partners and build ownership from beginning.
● Important note: The bulk of the ICT platform funds in the Forum project are assigned to
CBRNM-LI. This implies that they will lead the Forum ICT platform process, or at least
develop and host the Forum web site. However, they still need to discuss whether they are
willing and able to take this on as an organization. Certainly, they would make a great ICT
platform lead / facilitator if they want the job.
● Note: coordinator of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC
CBNRM Learning Institute, Sothyro and Rona

Tel: +855-23-994935 / marona@cbnrmli.org

CelAgrid
● Mission: Supervise graduate students and undertake applied research in sustainable

agriculture
● Two locations: Phnom Penh office and research farm 25km south of city
● City office has computers, Internet access, LAN and local server
● Farm location has occasional electricity and expensive dial up Internet
● Also a number of researchers working in provinces, email access via cybercafes
● Coordination with farm office and field staff happens mostly by SMS and mobile
● Full time computer science graduate working as IT support and database admin
● Databases used for crunching research data and internal tracking
● Forum should focus on: capacity building for young researchers and information sharing
amongst research organizations
● However, noted that they are often afraid to share because people will steal their work / don't
give credit
● Opportunity: CDRI could provide research analysis training for young people (note: this is
not an ICT specific idea)
● Felt that Forum ICT work should focus on two audiences: research organizations and
grassroots. We should also reach out to policy makers. (note: the question of audience for
the Forum was a point of discussion with most people we talked to)
● Opportunity: short policy briefings or other materials that summary research results from a
number of different Forum members.
● The ICT component of the Forum should include: a library of Cambodian research and access
to academic journals. (comment added by CelAgrid after the fact)
● Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC
Khieu Borin, Director, Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development

Tel: +855-23-223640(0) / Mobile: +855-12-828942 / Email: khieu_borin@celagrid.org

Community Fisheries Development Division (CFDD)
● Mission: government program to establish and strengthen community fisheries

● This includes research on livelihoods with IDRC and building community fisheries networks in
three provinces. People in these networks meet and share experiences.
● Ly started the meeting with the question 'what is the Forum?' This is when we realized we'd
really need to back up on this question for most or all of our meetings. Jackie explained and
then we were able to jump into the conversation.
● Forum should focus on: sharing our research results and discussions on common research
issues (e.g. gaining the trust of the communities we work with)
● Also mentioned training on research methodology and research quality (not an ICT issue)
● On ICT front, it is difficult for CFDD to cover access costs and get support
● This includes quite basic issues like the cost of licensing / updates for anti-virus software
● Internet access (and cost) are shared across the Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries
● Access is very unreliable. Often down for many days at a time.
● File and document sharing w/in the organization now relies on simple Ministry intranet, which
is inaccessible when Internet is down. This makes it difficult to collaborate internally.
● Opportunity: Forum could use ICTs to provide a place for us to publish research results.
ICTs could also update us about research by other members of the Forum.
● Used to have Australian ICT volunteer. This was very helpful, especially in dealing with
viruses. Now rely on ad hoc hiring of outside IT support people.
● Some of the provincial offices we work with have computers, but Internet access and skills
are poor.
●
● Follow up: Mark or Jackie to send Ly information on free anti-virus software
Ly Vuthy, Chief of Community Fisheries Development Office

Fisheries Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: +855-23+215796, 011 660 840 / Email: lyvuthy.fia@maff.gov.kh

Participatory Management of Coastal Resources (PMCR)
● Mission: community based research on management of coastal research

● Includes information sharing that helps local people to connect to gov't and take action
● Techniques include study tours, workshops and training for people at local level
● Also, bring decision makers to meet local people. "Decision makers don't read long
documents."
● Not clear on the idea of the Forum beyond 'just networking'. Jackie explained.
● The Forum idea is very good, but we need to remember that people often hide their work,
especially the failures.
● Forum should focus on: keep it simple, focusing on annual meetings and research capacity
building.
● Significant questions about which 'level' the Forum should work at: local communities;
researchers; students; policy makers?
● Also, question about the connections between RLNBRM / DREST network on the Forum.
● Tension between functional (research skills) and thematic (natural resource management)
focus on research networks / Forum. Suggested Forum could start by expanding to other
orgs doing research in NRM rather than other orgs that have IDRC funding.
● The Internet is very useful for our research team, but not for the locals we deal with.
● Also use databases to crunch research and outsourced GIS support for maps.
● All-CBNRM not a positive experience with eForums. Would not want something like that. Part
of the problem was that it was all in English.
● Opportunity: use video to capture stories from grassroots research, and then package these
to show to policy makers and back to the community. (idea: iReach has skills in this)
● Make a link between the research we publish as a Forum and the IDRC open access
repository.
● Be simple with the technology and focus on skills.
Kim Nong, Deputy Director of Environmental Education Department

Ministry of Environment
Tel: +855-12-717223 (cell) / Email: pmmr@online.com.kh

Legal Support for Children and Women (LCSW)
● Mission: legal support services to Cambodian women and children.

● Also involved in mainstreaming information about migration and human trafficking.
● Staff available to meet had limited English. Sothyro explained Forum idea in Khmer.
● Interested in the idea of an eForum and online discussion. Would like to get to know other
research organizations. "Knowing other fields of development helps our legal work."
● We would like to share our research on migration and human trafficking with others.
● Run their own web site in English, Khmer, Japanese and French. Most info in English.
● At least half the staff use email, but mostly to communicate with other organizations.
● The problem with email is that the Internet is often down due to weather (2-3 times per
week in rainy season).
● Tech support is outsourced, but expensive. We don't have money for this.
● When Internet up, they use Skype to talk to org director in London.
● The Forum should focus on: research capacity and cross disciplinary peer learning
amongst members.
● Important for Forum ICT work to include strong translation component into Khmer.
● Opportunity: the Forum can be a synthesizer of information produced by its members.
Somaly Chan, Program Manager (Acting co-director with Mrs. Poeung)

Tel/Fax: +855-23-220626 / Mobile: +855-12-985 643 / Email : vichuta_ly@lscw.org

Cambodian Research Centre for Development (CRCD)
● Mission: research network focused on CBNRM, climate change, renewables and water
sanitation.
● Network consists mainly of experts outside of Cambodia, so heavily relies on Internet.
● Loose approach to network. Forms and disbands as needed for projects.
● They publish all of their own research on their website, plus some grey literature from others.
● Use SPSS to do research analysis and ArcView (outsourced) for GIS.
● Connectivity is a problem for collaboration on advanced applications like GIS.
● Opportunity: create an online method for researchers to ask each other questions / provide
peer support. Especially useful in finding old research and reports.
● Opportunity: become a repository for datasets and reports from old research that are just
sitting on people's hard drives. This is a major problem for Cambodian researchers.
● Opportunity: provide all Forum members with low cost or free access to academic journals,
including those not funded by IDRC. Could happen through IDRC library or through EIFL.
● The Forum should focus on: sharing what all the researcher organizations are doing in
their own little corner. Provide a regular map of what is going on.
● In terms of the web, the Forum should be a 'portal into research in Cambodia'.
● People would be willing to provide information about their own research if posting it to the
web was easy.
● A Forum website would have the advantage of being much higher profile than my own.
● Opportunity: expand the membership of the Forum, and make sure to include other
donors who fund research in Cambodia. This will be critical to sustainability.
● Roles for the Forum include synthesizer, radar, relationship building, navigational lens and
archivist.
● Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC.
Thanakvaro De Lopez
Tel/Fax: +855-23-218370 / Mobile: +855-12-707401 / Email: tdl@camdev.org

Ministry of Environment EEPSEA Project (now World Bank EIA project)
● Mission: Sideth's team in MOE now working on environmental impact assessmet framework
funded through the World Bank. This project is just starting.
● The Forum should: connect researchers with each other. There is not enough of this in
Cambodia.
● Opportunity: focus efforts on the annual Forum seminar (aka 'all partners'). Do an online
journal or downloadable collection of papers based on this.
● It is important to involve other research organizations right from the beginning. It should not
just be IDRC partners.
● Also worth noting that the research community is already networked in part through the
annual seminars held at URPP every November. These cover social sciences, environment and
culture.
● The Forum website should have a directory of researchers / who is doing what / events /
seminars. It should also include a collection of locally produced research from Cambodia. Full
text search is important.
● The EPPSEA web site is a good example to follow. It includes a regular newsletter and email
alerts.
● Opportunity: create an annual online journal based on the work of the Forum members.
● ICTs have been a bit ad hoc for my new project. I showed up and there were no computers.
We had to by them with project funds. We had to pay for Internet out of our own pockets.
● Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC.
Sideth Muong, Ministry of Environment

Tel: +855-12-942084 / Fax: +855-23-219-287 / Email: smuong@yahoo.fr

Cambodia Development Resource Institute (project co-lead)
● Mission: large, stable organization focused on development research in many areas.

● Need to improve own ICT capacity, especially around using strategically for research. Looking
for advice and support on this.
● Despite this CDRI has strong foundation in terms of basic computer hardware and internal
networking.
● This is managed by a very capable dedicated IT team. CDRI has two full time IT staff, an IT
manager and an IT officer and a part time volunteer from Royal University of Phnom Penh.
● Video conferencing is a high priority for CDRI.
● Post their publications to the web, but only using simple HTML / PDF.
● Working through questions of when and how to share data and other materials. Right now
they charge for some publications. Is planning to post all publications online for free, but not
sure when. No policy for sharing raw data, so it doesn't happen.
● The Forum web site should have: publications; news; partner directory with links.
● Opportunity: provide access to international journals for all the people that use CDRI
library. Also, would be good for Cambodian researchers beyond IDRC recipients to have
online access to journals. (need to double check IDRC access okay in this regard, and also
look at EIFL for broader access)
● 'The big problem is that people don't know what they do online. There is so much information
available.'
● Still struggling with own internal data and knowledge management. Much information sits on
different people's hard drives.
● Opportunity: CDRI has very strong library including digital repository of local research.
However, it is only available on site. (idea: could be put online to meet the need for
publishing locally produced research? Would need resources.)
● The physical library at CDRI is constantly used by students, about 50 a day. Many would like
to have it open on weekends. (idea: use Forum resources to open on weekends ... given the
importance to students, this would certainly contribute to the building research capacity in
Cambodia)
● Also, CDRI library acts as local document repository for 1. The World Bank, 2. ADB, 3. IMF, 4.
UN Research Institute for Social Development, 5. UN Inter-Agency Project on Human
Trafficking Information Centre and 6. The Tonle Sap ILRC.
● Note: CDRI is using what looks like quite a good open source library management system
called NewGenLib. Made in India, it acts as a traditional card catalogue, a digital library and
an open access repository.See: http://www.newgenlib.com/Digilib.html
Chan Sophal, Senior Research Manager, Poverty Studies and Research Networks
Tel: +855-23-881384 / Mobile: +855-12-979298 / sophal.chan@gmail.com

Center for Social Development (CSD)
● Mission: well known Cambodian NGO working mostly on legal and human rights issues
● Extensive use of ICTs by CSD staff, especially in Phnom Penh HQ.
● However, staff in five provinces have no Internet in the office. These people coordinate with
HQ via mobile phone and occasionally via cybercafes.
● This includes typical things like email, documents and skype ... but also extends to internal
legal tracking database and other more advanced application.
● The CSD web site is content rich, with new material being added almost daily. However, it is
still a static site using basic HTML. News clippings are posted as JPEGs.
● Opportunity: They are hoping to upgrade to an automated content management system in
the near future.
● The site has an extensive section in Khmer, which is used heavily by students. However, there
is a major challenge with translation which means the Khmer version often falls behind the
English version.
● Opportunity: They also want to add a live version of their CourtWatch database to their
website.
● CSD wants to become an exemplary ICT user and is looking for help with this.
● The Forum website should: act as a 'single clearinghouse' for research in Cambodia,
including locally produced research results and a directory of researchers / research
organizations.
● Many research orgs don't have own web site. This could be their platform.
● Website might also include a way that researchers and students can post draft research that
others can comment on.
● The Forum needs to decide who it's audience is. At a minimum it should be students and
researchers.
● Opportunity: the Forum could create a group blog to track each other's work.
Sokleap, KEP Pilot Coordinator, Center for Social Development

Tel: +855-23-364735 / Mobile: +855-12-222552 / Email: theary@csdcambodia.org

Community Forestry Office (CFO)
● Mission: Formulate CF related policy and legal framework and support the implementation of
community forestry on the ground.
● Research is only a an important part of the CFOs work.
● Main ICT project is community forestry database. Includes all community forests in
Cambodia. This is used by local FA staff, NGOs, students and donors.
● The community forestry database is online at
http://www.forestry.gov.kh/CFWeb/CFbyProvince.asp.
● However, CFO does not have a web presence for its publications and does not have an easy
way to post materials to the Ministry web site.
○ Opportunity: offer CFO and other members their own page on the Forum web site. They
would be able to update this page and add documents in an easy way.
● In the office, CFO has 10 computers for 20 people. They have Internet access provided
centrally by the Forestry Administration. Support done informally by CFO staff, with outside
help when needed.
● The Internet is used mainly for communication with outside partners, and not very much
internally.
● Most of the local FA offices CFO works with do not have Internet. CFO communicates with
them by phone.
● CFO is planning to build up its own GIS capacity within the next few months. This will happen
by hiring an expert for six months to work with the team to build their skill.
○ Opportunity: if this works out, maybe contract for the expert could be extended by
Forum to help members who want to do the same thing ... or CFO could become GIS
support unit for the Forum.
● The Forum should: help us to see what others are doing and get their help. It should build
a sense of collegiality.
● It is important that the Forum is open to all kinds of research organizations, and not just
IDRC partners.
● Note: member of existing DReST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC
Sokh Heng, Chief of Office, Community Forestry Office

Forestry Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 855-23-986332 / Mobile: +855-12-639961/ sokhhengpiny@yahoo.com

Livelihoods in Protected Areas Research Project (LiPA)
● Mission: To build capacity and skill on research, information sharing and intervention for
improving livelihood of rural communities and maintaining sustainable ecosystem.
● Conduct participatory action research, supported by IDRC under coordinated by DReST.
Already shares its research information with IDRC partners and others via this channel.
● They do not have a place to post their publications on the web.
○ Opportunity: offer LiPA and IDRC partners their own page on the Forum web site. They
would be able to update this page and add documents in an easy way.
● The Forum website should: provide a place to post and share research with others. This
should include both a national library for researchers and a community library with plain
language materials.
● The approach for this should be 'learning by doing'. There needs to be a capacity building
component.
○ Opportunity: the Forum could hire a shared ICT support person (an e-rider) who would
be focused on running workshops and providing as needed support.
● Challenge: it should be recognized that it is hard to get people to share. This doesn't always
happen well in our current project. People are busy. The sharing that does happen comes by
email.
● The Forum should reach out to the public and policy makers. One idea would be to have a TV
program like the Ministry of Environment does.
● There is a fair amount of internal information sharing about the research project, including a
monthly report to the Director of the director of department of Nature conservation and
Protection. However, this is information is not widely shared externally.
● Only about half of the team used computers actively. This is mostly related to English
language skills.
● Staff in the provinces do not have computers or the Internet. Staff use own mobile phones to
communicate.
● Internal staff do their own informal technical support.
● Major ICT project on horizon is to develop a database to support conservation zoning. This
will need to happen once the Protected Area law is passed.
● Opportunity: shared Forum support person or more Forum members more experienced with
databases might provide advice here.
● Note: member of existing DReST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC
Sy Ramony
LiPA Project team leader, and Chief of National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Office
Tel./Fax: +855-23-21138 / Mobile: +855-12-832933 / Email: ramony@online.com.kh

iReach
● Mission: consortium of organizations delivering telecentres+++ project in two Cambodian

provinces.
● iReach is different than all of the others Forum members interviewed as it is not an individual
organization or department. It is a consortium housed at the Ministry of Commerce with the
Centre for Social Development and the Maharishi Verheydic (sp?) University as implementing
partners.
● The project is experimenting with provincial telecentre networks connected by highspeed
local wireless. Jackie and Mark travelled to both Kep and Kamchai Mer (sp?) to visit these
projects.
● The core iReach team, the local projects and CSD all have strong ICT capacity. MVU is much
weaker, although this is improving thanks to help from the local iReach team in Kamchai Mer
(sp?).
● iReach also has access to a number of excellent international ICT advisors including Brian
Unger and Sean O'Siochru.
● Given the nature of this consortium, the method of engagement with the Forum may need to
be different than others above. For example, it may be that CSD (already a member) and
MVU participate directly in the Forum beside / in addition to the main iReach project team.
● Opportunity: local iReach teams have strong technical capacity building experience. They
could hook up with Forum members working in nearby areas to help out with technical work
if there is geographic overlap. (note: the risk side is that this could distract from project
work)
● During our time in Phnom Penh, Huor from iReach also introduced us to (name), who is a
director at Telecom Cambodia and founder of IDRC-sponsored CamNet, the first ISP in
Cambodia.
● We discussed at length the connectivity challenges facing both research organizations and
the country as a whole. It was clear that the biggest challenges are related to the cost and
availability of international bandwidth. There are also internal infrastructure problems, but
these are less relevant to research organizations located primarily in Phnom Penh.
● Opportunity: the bandwidth challenges faced by Cambodian research organizations could be
addressed in part by the creation of a high speed / low cost Cambodian national research and
education network (C-NREN). This could be used for domestic collaboration amongst Forum
members using advanced ICT applications. Similar approaches were used to build the original
foundations of the Internet in the US and now exist in developing countries such as Ecuador.
● Huor's connections to major ISPs and Brians experience with research networks in Canada
position iReach well to help the forum related to joint bandwidth purchases or creation of an
NREN.
Chea Sok Huor, Project Manager, i-REACH Project

Tel: +855-11-811947 / Mobile: +855-12-811947 / Email: csh007@gmail.com

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Accelerating

Mark Surman, Innovation Fellow

215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 400

May 30, 2006

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Partner brainstorming and capacity check-in

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Next steps: charting a course

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Imagine: collaboration and innovation

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Working together: accelerating with ICTs

● Simple online communication amongst partners

The basics: shared online platform

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Idea #1: simple online communication amongst partners

Idea #2: single access point for Cambodian research

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Idea #3: cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers

Idea #4: sharing advanced, high end infrastructure

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Idea #5: improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

The way forward

1. Decide which of ICT ideas outlined above should be pursued;

2. Further elaborate on ideas that remain a priority;

3. Identify partners to lead the different elements.

Risks and issues to consider

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Appendix A: Partner brainstorm and capacity overview

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Appendix B – ICT priorities identified by partners

Priority Ideas Votes Difficulty Remarks

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Appendix C – Reports from each of the partners

1. Community Based Natural Resource Management Learning Institute (CBNRM-LI)

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

CBNRM Learning Institute (project co-lead)

● Mission: learning and research on community-based natural resource management

CBNRM Learning Institute, Sothyro and Rona

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

● Mission: Supervise graduate students and undertake applied research in sustainable

● Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC

Khieu Borin, Director, Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Community Fisheries Development Division (CFDD)

● Mission: government program to establish and strengthen community fisheries

Ly Vuthy, Chief of Community Fisheries Development Office

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Participatory Management of Coastal Resources (PMCR)

● Mission: community based research on management of coastal research

● Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC

Kim Nong, Deputy Director of Environmental Education Department

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Legal Support for Children and Women (LCSW)

● Mission: legal support services to Cambodian women and children.

Somaly Chan, Program Manager (Acting co-director with Mrs. Poeung)

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Cambodian Research Centre for Development (CRCD)

● Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC.

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Ministry of Environment EEPSEA Project (now World Bank EIA project)