UK Sophearith

Member of Climate Gen, 21 years old, majoring in Community Development at Royal University of Phnom Penh

“You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

As a community development student, I am passionate about being involved in community development. This passion led me to explore the concept of sustainable development, which considers environmental, social, and economic factors. Participating in the Climate Gen program significantly increased my knowledge and experience regarding the environment and climate change. I gained valuable background knowledge that I can share with my friends, particularly my department's younger students. Since graduating, my interest in climate change has grown even stronger, prompting me to pursue a Master's degree in the field.

My journey with Climate Gen began when a core team member's Facebook post about this program. After learning more about the program, I joined and found it incredibly beneficial for my personal growth. Through the program, I witnessed significant personal growth in several areas. First, I developed greater confidence in public speaking, overcoming my fear of sharing my knowledge. Climate Gen provided a safe and supportive environment for youth to learn, implement ideas, and make their voices heard. Second, my understanding of climate change deepened considerably. Unlike my academic experience, which offered limited exploration of the topic, Climate Gen brought in experts, providing me with the opportunity to learn from leading figures in the field. Finally, working with a diverse group of young people fostered a sense of responsibility in me. We embraced new challenges and made time to meet both online and in person, fostering a strong team spirit.