UnionAID, with partners, the Khmer Farmer Products (KFP) in Cambodia, the Participatory Development Knowledge Agency (PAKA) in the Lao PDR and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), are excited to welcome the second cohort of the Cambodia Laos Young Leaders Programme 2025
Aphixay Duangdala
(Chaeng)
Luang Prabang, Laos – GRET Laos
Chaeng is supporting the Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) project, which was initially planned to focus only in Luang Prabang but has now expanded to a national level. He works closely with rural communities in 22 off-grid villages and with urban business areas to facilitate the shift to solar energy. His role includes collecting data for energy needs assessments, leading workshops on renewable energy awareness and safety, calculating village energy load profiles, and coordinating technical planning for local energy systems.
Chaeng holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Óbuda University in Hungary. With this technical foundation and a strong commitment to social impact, he focuses on advancing equitable energy access and sustainable development in remote areas. His current work contributes directly to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Chaeng is passionate about using renewable energy as a tool for community empowerment and resilience. Through CLYLP, he aims to deepen his leadership capacity, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches to sustainable develop
Borey San (Borey)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Youth Council of Cambodia (YCC)
Borey is a passionate advocate for youth participation, who is committed to fostering a culture of democracy and social responsibility in Cambodia. His mission is to empower youths to become active citizens and contribute to social development. Borey holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
Borey is responsible for overseeing and monitoring multiple projects that promote civic engagement, good governance, and environmental protection. Borey supports young leaders to drive positive change in these areas, using democratic values and community engagement as core principles. He believes that a key element in civic participation is reliable information. As such, he sees an important part of his mission as promoting a knowledge-sharing culture which affirms the role of independent media, enables good access to information and supports citizens to exercise their rights to the fullest.
Through CLYLP, Borey hopes to gain hands-on experience in research design, project planning, and evaluation methods, which will enable him to design and implement more effective and inclusive projects in Cambodia.
Champapao Chen (Pov)
Koh Kong, Cambodia – Wildlife Conservation Society
Champapao Chen is an accomplished environmental science professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia. Currently, she manages biodiversity conservation initiatives in the Sre Ambel area of southwestern Cambodia. Her work focuses on protecting critically endangered species, including the Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis) and the Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis). Champapao oversees four important programs: nest protection, post-release monitoring, patrol activities, and community outreach.
She also supports fisheries resource management and community development, assisting with research studies on fish innovation labs and floodplain research, as well as supporting community livelihoods and capacity development for five community fisheries.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Champapao is looking forward to exchanging innovative ideas on conservation to improve outcomes for both wildlife and communities.
Khamkhoun Veuinyao (Kham)
Vientiane, Laos – Intellectual Disability Association (IDA)
Kham works directly with children with intellectual disabilities and their families, delivering life skills education, promoting inclusive learning, and strengthening community engagement. He also manages the Association’s social media to raise awareness and build stronger connections between the public and the disability community.
Originally from Sekong Province and of Katu ethnic background, Khamkhoun began his journey as a youth leader in his village, supporting education, cultural preservation, and local development. After three years in the private sector, he transitioned to social work through volunteer initiatives and completed community development training with PAKA in Vientiane. Today, he is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable society for people with intellectual disabilities in Laos.
Through CLYLP, Kham hopes to strengthen his leadership capacity and project management skills, deepen his knowledge of community engagement and inclusive education, and learn about different approaches to cultural preservation.
Khannapha
Doungphachan (Peung)
Vientiane, Laos – Lao Child and Youth Development Association
Khannapha is a youth development practitioner dedicated to empowering young people in Laos through meaningful participation, life skills, and job readiness. With over seven years of experience in the development sector, she began her journey as an intern at ChildFund Laos where she later served as the Youth Empowerment Project Coordinator.
Her work focuses on supporting vulnerable and marginalised youth, particularly through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) approaches, helping them build confidence, leadership, and vocational skills essential for transitioning into the workforce and engaging actively in civic life.
Currently, Khannapha leads youth-led projects, advocates for child rights and child protection, and creates opportunities that enable young people to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.
Through CLYLP, Khannapha aims to strengthen her leadership and advocacy skills, exchange knowledge, and is keen to learn about innovative ways to foster inclusive, sustainable, and impactful youth-led community development.
Mardam Thor (Adam)
Xiengkhouang, Lao – People with Disabilities Development Association
Adam is a member of the Hmong ethnic group and hails from Chomphet district in Luang Prabang province, Laos. Adam is currently based in Xiengkhouang province, where his work focuses on supporting people with disabilities to achieve full and equitable participation in society. Through the promotion of disability rights and dissemination of information related to disability law, Adam enables vulnerable communities to better advocate for themselves. His role also involves providing assistance equipment and enhancing access to employment for people with disabilities.
Through Cambodia Laos Young Leaders Programme, Adam would like to grow as a leader and strengthen the sustainable and inclusive development of his community. In particular, he aims to build his capacity in MERLA (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adaptation), project development and management, and proposal writing. He is looking forward to building networks with others working in the disability sector and collaborating for greater impact.
Ratanak Na (Nak)
Battambang, Cambodia – Cambodia Peace Gallery
Nak enacts his deep commitment to empowering youth and promoting transformative peace education in the community. He holds a Master of Arts in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia.
His work focuses on designing and leading strategic programs which equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become changemakers in their communities. This involves developing inclusive peace education initiatives, interactive peace exhibitions, and events in the community which promote peace, dialogue, and nonviolent action. Nak also actively represents his organisation’s mission at national, regional, and international levels, working with diverse partners to amplify youth voices and advance collaborative efforts toward sustainable peace.
Nak is a peace researcher, who continuously explores innovative approaches to youth leadership in peacebuilding. He looks forward to learning about the role of youth in Aotearoa New Zealand in shaping a more just and harmonious future.
Sinuon Leam (Wing)
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Cambodia Rural Student Trust
Sinuon is passionate about empowering young Cambodians through health education, particularly in rural areas. Through her work, she raises awareness about sexual and reproductive health, particularly hygiene and menstruation, among Cambodian adolescents.
Sinuon has been a leader in CRST’s ‘Project G’, a youth group providing hygiene and menstruation education in rural areas, as well as menstrual pads to support all girls to attend school during their periods. The project also established a sewing workshop which produces menstruation pads and generates income for local women.
Sinuon is a firm believer that health initiatives such as Project G will engender more positive attitudes toward menstruation and support girls in pursuing their education and dreams. She is also a member of the UN Youth Advisory Panel Cambodia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia Siem Reap.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Sinuon is looking forward to learning about project implementation, leadership, and problem solving, and how adolescent New Zealanders access health care services and SRHR information.
Sreyleak Loek (Sreyleak)
Sihanoukville, Cambodia – M’Lop Tapang
Sreyleak Loek is an experienced social worker at M’Lop Tapang, a local organisation which provides wrap-around support to at-risk children.
Sreyleak manages a group of ten social workers to identify and support vulnerable children and families, providing access to education, reintegration with families, life-skills training, and creative and recreational activities. Her role involves collaboration across the organisation to ensure coordinated and comprehensive case management for high-risk families.
Sreyleak is also passionate about environmental protection and sustainability, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. She is interested in further exploring the connection between social work and environmental education.
Through the Cambodia Laos Young Leaders Programme, Sreyleak hopes to strengthen her leadership and advocacy skills, exchange knowledge with regional peers, and explore innovative approaches to child protection and social work practice in vulnerable communities.
Vanna Chomsavanh (NaNa)
Vientiane Capital, Laos – APLSY
NaNa is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and gender equality. With over 17 years of volunteering experience and 12 years of professional leadership, including work with informal groups and Non-Profit Associations (NPAs), Vanna has a longstanding commitment to empowering youth and fostering community development. Her expertise centres on designing and delivering programmes that equip young people with essential skills, engage them in civic life and inspire them to advocate for their rights.
NaNa is particularly committed to amplifying the voices of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, and fostering diversity and social inclusion. She achieves these goals through strategic advocacy and public awareness initiatives, and by creating truly safe and empowering learning environments for critical dialogue, skill development, and collective action.
NaNa holds a Master’s degree in Rural Development. Through CLYLP, NaNa would like to further develop her advocacy skills, specifically focusing on youth rights and civic engagement. She also aims to enhance her work in the gender diversity, equality, and social inclusion space, particularly by creating a safe learning space for women with diverse identities.