UNICEF-Giga Photo Exhibition in Phnom Penh showcases photos by Cambodian student photographers, spotlighting The Urgency of Connectivity
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PHNOM PENH, 3 March 2026 — Giga, the joint initiative of UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), together with the Department of Media and Communication (DMC) of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), has concluded the Giga Photo Mentorship Programme 2026, a five-day intensive training initiative empowering young Cambodian photographers to document how digital connectivity—or the lack of it—shapes the lives of children, families, and communities across the country.
From 23–27 February 2026, twelve DMC students participated in hands on sessions covering participatory photography, ethical storytelling, story development, informed consent, and field documentation. The programme placed strong emphasis on child rights, particularly the right to access information, the right to participation, and the right to development—rights increasingly intertwined with equitable access to meaningful digital connectivity.
UNICEF Cambodia Representative, Dr. Will Parks, said: “Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury. It is a fundamental enabler of children’s rights. When young people lack access to information and digital learning, they are denied opportunities to participate, develop skills, and shape their futures. Through this mentorship, these talented Cambodian youth have shown us what connectivity means in real communities, and why bridging the digital divide is essential for every child.”
Throughout the week, participants engaged in:
- Foundations of visual storytelling, photography basics, and narrative planning
- Ethics of photography and safeguarding, including informed consent
- Field documentation guided by professional mentors
- Participatory editing, printing, and preparation of curated photo essays
- A final public exhibition showcasing their completed work
Participants were mentored by renowned Cambodian photographers Mr. Phan Phearith, Mr. Lim Sokchanlina, and Mr. Sansitny Ruth, representing both DMC and the Angkor
Photo Festival. Their mentorship strengthened students’ technical abilities while cultivating responsible, community centred visual storytelling.
Mr. Ung Bun Y, Director of the Department of Media and Communication at RUPP, said:
“At DMC, we are committed to nurturing young storytellers who can document the realities of Cambodian society with integrity, creativity, and respect. This partnership with UNICEF and Giga not only strengthens our students’ technical and ethical skills but also amplifies their voices on an issue that affects every young person today—access to meaningful digital connectivity.”
Mr. Daniel Ginsianmung, Giga Photo Award Coordinator, added:
“The stories created this week powerfully illustrate the urgency of connectivity in fragile and fast-changing contexts. These young photographers have documented how connectivity impacts education, communication, and daily decision making. Their work will contribute to Giga’s global advocacy, reminding us that behind every school without internet access, there are young people whose potential is limited.”
The mentorship contributes to Giga’s global mission to connect every school to the internet and ensure that children everywhere can benefit from access to information, opportunity, and choice. The youth produced stories will form part of a global collection informing advocacy efforts, awareness campaigns, and future Giga publications.
Building on the success of Giga’s 2025 edition, which attracted more than 3,400 submissions worldwide, the 2026 programme continues to elevate youth voices in the global movement for digital equity.
This year’s global call invites journalists, photographers, newsroom collectives, and youth visual storytellers to submit images documenting how connectivity shapes life in crisis-affected or fragile situations. An international jury will review submissions in late March at the Giga Connectivity Centre in Geneva. Selected works will be showcased in Geneva in June and October 2026, followed by an awards ceremony coorganised with the City of Geneva and cultural partners.
Awards include the Giga Photo Fellowship, mentorship opportunities, and an invitation for winners to attend the award ceremony in Geneva. Full submission details are available at: www.gigaphotoaward.global
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About Giga
Giga is a joint programme of work of two United Nations agencies, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with the goal of connecting all of the world's schools to the internet. The programme was launched in 2019 and has three categories of activity: mapping, to identify the schools in an area, financing, to provide financial resources to the schools, and connecting, to help establish connectivity.
About the Department of Media and Communication (DMC), RUPP
The Department of Media and Communication (DMC) was established in 2001, under the Royal University of Phnom Penh, primarily as an academic training ground for communication, journalism, and media education in Cambodia. DMC is committed to academic excellence, professional training, and the promotion of ethical media practices.
Contact: Ms. Kan PenhSamang, [email protected] +855 96 455 611
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work in Cambodia, visit: www.unicef.org.kh
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