Hanns Seidel Foundation co-organized ECOTHON Cambodia 2019
ECOTHON Cambodia 2019: IDEA Competition for Sustainable Consumption and Production

H.E. Son Seng Huot, Under-Secretary of State, Cambodian Ministry of Industry and Handicraft, and resource persons

HSF

The conference was opened by H.E. Son Seng Huot, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry and Handicraft. H.E. Son Seng Huot stressed in his opening speech that a systemic change is necessary to shift away from the current “take-make-dispose” culture to transition towards circular economy. In this regard, eco-entrepreneurship can be an effective tool for Cambodia “to retain its healthy eco-system through business-human-centric thinking”.

The programme of the ECOTHON consisted of a mix of thematic lectures, practical consultation sessions with the experts and group working sessions. Ten teams were selected to present their business ideas at the ECOTHON. A mix of international experts with diverse background introduced the competing teams to the concept of Sustainable Consumption and Production as well as Eco-innovation to give them a hint of direction how their business ideas can be more sustainable in terms of the production aspect or contribute to sustainable consumption. The experts also provided the competing teams with practical comments and advice with regards to business development.

Group photo with all competing teams

HSF

Awards for the winning teams are a trip to Korea to participate at the Korean Start-up Week Come Up in Novemver 2019.

The ECOTHON Cambodia was also supported by Cambodia’s Institute of Technology and the Young Entrepreneur Association. The active involvement and the dynamic exchange during the course of two days was very inspirational in showing how young people and also future entrepreneurs can contribute to the implementation of Sustainable Consumption and Production. We look forward to coming back to Cambodia with the ECOTHON 2020!