In brief
On November 8, 2026, over 5,000 people ran through Angkor Park’s Bakong Temple, combining a 3‑km and 10‑km fun run with workshops on climate action, online safety, and children’s rights. UNICEF’s Maha Damaj highlighted global threats to children and urged communities to protect their wellbeing, while runners Mao Bilita and Kun Sokhea encouraged study and community support. The event left unanswered how effectively Cambodia can address these challenges in the future.
On November 8, 2026, more than 5,000 people ran through the ancient Bakong Temple in Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park to celebrate World Children’s Day, according to Xinhua.
The fun run offered participants a choice of 3‑km or 10‑km routes, with start and finish lines positioned near the temple’s central gate. In addition to the physical challenge, organizers scheduled educational sessions covering climate action, online safety, inclusion, mental health, healthy lifestyles, and civic engagement.
UNICEF’s Maha Damaj, Cambodia’s representative, stepped onto the podium to emphasize that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. She reminded attendees that children ranging from those in urban slums to floating communities on Tonle Sap, as well as those in villages recovering from crisis, must remain at the center of decisions and investments.
Damaj highlighted that global economic shocks, the climate crisis, online sexual exploitation and abuse, and rising mental‑health challenges threaten the progress made for children over recent decades. She called on local communities to ensure children can thrive in safe, healthy environments that nurture creativity and protect their rights under all circumstances.
The crowd included children, families, government representatives, development partners, artists, and local influencers, all gathered to advocate for children’s rights and active youth participation.
Participants followed marked routes that wound through the temple’s ancient stone terraces, offering both a physical challenge and a chance to reflect on the site’s cultural significance.
Educational sessions were conducted by local NGOs and international agencies, with experts discussing how climate change threatens children’s access to clean water, how online safety measures can protect minors from exploitation, and how inclusive policies can promote mental well‑being.
Damaj also warned that the ongoing economic shocks were eroding investment in child‑centered programs, while the climate crisis accelerated extreme weather events that could jeopardise children’s safety.
She encouraged communities to safeguard children in both urban and rural settings, noting that children in floating communities on Tonle Sap and those in villages recovering from crisis face unique challenges.
Organizers expressed optimism that the fun run would inspire continued dialogue among stakeholders and contribute to stronger safeguards for Cambodian children.
Mao Bilita, a 23‑year‑old runner, said the event successfully blended health advocacy with a joyful atmosphere.
I am thrilled to see children coming together at this fun run to promote children’s rights, I told Xinhua, urging youth to study hard for their futures. My message to children around the world is that there will always be people who listen to you, seek to understand you, and support you.
Fellow runner Kun Sokhea, 24, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of creating environments where children’s rights are fully honored and protected.
To all Cambodian children, my message to you is: study hard, and always listen to the advice of your parents and teachers.
The event showcased a hopeful spirit, yet Xinhua notes that the challenges Damaj cited—economic volatility, climate change, digital abuse, and mental‑health pressures—remain unresolved, and it is unclear how effectively Cambodia’s policies can address these threats for the next generation.
