The inaugural Cambodian Monetary Policy Competition, an event organised by students, for students, marked an achievement in youth engagement with economics in Cambodia.

The May 4 competition, which focused on the complexities of the country’s monetary policy, provided high school students with the opportunity to present their policy recommendations to a panel of expert judges and receive valuable feedback.

Edwin Seng, lead organiser and a passionate advocate for youth education, welcomed participants with a speech highlighting the competition's importance.

“This isn't just about theory anymore. It's about applying real-world knowledge to solve real-world problems,” he said.

“Making tough decisions and backing them up with solid evidence is what this competition is all about,” he added.

Seng emphasised the event’s practical focus, which aimed to provide students with a platform to project their ideas and hone skills that would serve them far beyond the competition.

“Our goal is to empower young minds with critical thinking, presentation skills and financial literacy. These are the tools that will shape their future in economics,” he explained.

The event featured four teams of high school students, each competing in the challenging realm of monetary policy.

Despite some setbacks earlier in the competition, including the withdrawal of three teams, the remaining participants delivered impressive presentations, covering topics such as inflation control, currency stability and economic growth strategies.

Right to left: The young trio of organisers - Edwin Seng, Kevin Ear and Oudom Panha Keo. Hong Raksmey

Student organisers reflect on event’s impact

Kevin Ear, another key organiser, spoke about the significance of this competition for the participants.

“Cambodia has faced its fair share of economic challenges. By giving students a platform to think critically about these issues, we’re preparing them for the future. It’s an opportunity for them to get ahead and apply ideas that could shape our country’s financial policies,” he said.

He believed it gave them a head start to think about different ideas and different factors that they can implement when they go into this field of work.

Ear said they initially had around seven teams but due to unforeseen circumstances some teams have had to drop out, leaving four.

Oudom Panha Keo, who also played a major role in organising the event, stressed that this competition was not just about academics but also about fostering leadership.

“We’re from international schools like the International School of Phnom Penh and Northbridge, and we’re all part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme,” Panha explained.

“This competition is an extension of our learning — creating a space where we can discuss, debate and improve,” he added.

The winners were Group 4, Rithuth Nov and Pitou Sorpiseth. Hong Raksmey

The winning team

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners — Group 4, consisting of Rithuth Nov and Pitou Sorpiseth.

The duo impressed the judges with their innovative approach to Cambodia's monetary policy.

“I honestly didn’t expect to win,” said Nov, visibly surprised and overjoyed.

“We thought one of our friends was going to take it. But we just focused on doing our best, and in the end, it paid off,” he added.

Nov, who drew on his debate and public speaking experience, emphasised that understanding monetary policy isn't exclusive to university students.

“Learning about the country's economy is important for all ages, and I think we should start educating students about monetary policy from as early as grade 10,” he suggested.

Sorpiseth echoed Nov's sentiment, expressing that the competition not only promoted critical thinking but also helped participants build essential leadership skills.

“Public speaking is something we often overlook, but this competition really helps us develop that,” he said.

“It's preparing us for the future, not just academically but as future leaders,” he continued.

Candidates and their parents and guardians attend the competition. Hong Raksmey

Expert judges weigh in

The event featured a distinguished panel of judges, including senior economists from the National Bank of Cambodia.

Uch Raksmey, one of the judges, complimented the teams on their excellent work.

“The quality of the presentations was impressive,” Raksmey said.

“However, it’s crucial to manage time well and ensure that each slide only focuses on three main points. When analysing a country’s economy, starting with clear initial conditions — like trade regimes and economic status — is key to making sound policy recommendations,” added the experienced economist.

Chey Sovanney, deputy director of the monetary policy and research department, noted that monetary policy decisions require a forward-looking approach.

“It's not just about addressing current conditions, but also anticipating what will happen in the future. In policymaking, we have to think ahead,” she explained.

Chhoeung Johann, deputy division chief of the monetary division, noted that it is rare for competitions to focus on monetary policy.

“Most events tend to focus on entrepreneurship or science, so I commend the students for choosing such a relevant and important topic,” Johann said.

Parents and guardians attend the Cambodian Monetary Policy competition ceremony. Hong Raksmey

The future of the monetary policy competition

Looking ahead, the organisers hope the competition will continue to grow and inspire future generations.

“This is just the beginning,” said Seng.

“We want to create an inclusive, knowledgeable environment for all students who are passionate about economics and policy-making,” he added.

In addition to the prestigious gold, silver and bronze awards — and cash prizes ranging from $200 to $500 — Seng hopes that the competition will become a yearly tradition, helping to foster the next generation of economists and leaders in Cambodia.

As the event concluded, many participants expressed their hope that this competition would inspire more students to dive into economic studies and make meaningful contributions to Cambodia’s future economic development.