My enemy my friend

The Economist Intelligence Unit last month rated Cambodia with a very high risk of social instability (fourth out of 165 countries) due to economic challenges, underpinned by other social factors such as unemployment, inequality, lack of trust in institutions, corruption etc.

It’s not surprising at all really. Increasing reports of land grabbing, justice systems that are simply an oxymoron, a large population of youth with low education, a country rich in natural resources and a growing base of people with nothing left to lose are all factors that could lead to violence. The global economic crisis only turns up the heat further in this pressure-cooker environment.

Then last week I attended a workshop organised by the Advocacy and Policy Institute (a locally-run NGO), supported by the British Embassy. There were around 200 people there, amongst them I was one of only five foreigners (hooray!). The workshop followed a three day training course in the development of lobbying in Cambodia and culminated in the establishment of a Civil Society Lobby group.

As the speakers summarised their training presentations into bite-sized bits, I was greatly encouraged by an ongoing theme – developing relationships with people in power to advocate change.

Chris Baker-Evans, the instigator of Christians for Social Justice, comments “The more we are willing to see our opponents as part of the solution the more we are able to find creative and effective methods of addressing the underlying issues, which exist no matter who is in charge.”

It is easy to demonise the “enemy” but Jesus commands us to “love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Building relationships and seeking a common ground help us humanise the perpetrators of injustice and work together towards change.

I have no idea if this is possible in Cambodia for I find it hard to put this into practice in my own life. But it is imperative that we try.

The Economist Index claims an impressive 70% hit rate or in other words, there is a two in three chance of social instability spilling over into violence in Cambodia over the next year.

Let’s pray they are wrong.