Cambodia's ambitious youth

By Jill McGivering
BBC, Phnom Penh

More than half of Cambodia's current population is under 18, and the culture seems set to be transformed by the new energy and ambition of the young.

Youth culture, strongly influenced by the West, is already transforming the style and ideas of those with access to it.

The new watchwords amongst the young are hard work, education and big dreams.

A young dance troupe in Phnom Penh is a case in point.

Young people are queuing up to perform on stage

Many of its members are still at school, but they spend every evening practising their routine.

At the time of our visit, they are featuring in a brand new TV programme, which gives young Cambodians a brief taste of fame.

There is no shortage of musicians, singers and dancers queuing up to perform.

Lisha, Cambodia's first female rapper, is another energetic young performer.

She takes Western rap and adds Khmer music.

The beat is the same, but the message is much more conservative.

She says wants to encourage young people to work hard, keep out of trouble and make money.

Drive and ambition

Cambodian youth is gripped by the dream of success.

Even the poorest are flocking to the cities in the hope of riches.

Khun, a shy 20-year-old, earns a living driving a motorbike taxi. His family sold almost everything - their pig and cow - to send him to the capital.

Five months later he is just breaking even - but dreams of more.

"I've come here to make as much money as I can," he said.

"What I really want is to study and become a doctor."

Khun wants to earn enough to study medicine

Cambodia's students also seem driven and ambitious.

"I want to speak English because it will help me with my career. I want to work for a company or an non-governmental organisation," one girl said.

"I want to have a good job because you can't get one if you don't learn English. I want my country to be as good as others," said her male companion.

Back at the TV studios, a child pop group has taken to the stage - singing and gyrating.

Their parents' generation is ambivalent to their obsession with fame and fortune.

Some see the ambitious can-do youth culture as un-Cambodian, even immodest.

But young people do not seem to care. Many here crave fame and fortune - and will work as hard as they must to get it.