Lay Chantha

CIYA’s strategic plan is strongly focused on improving Indigenous youth’s access to education and to further professional experience as well as helping to maintain cultural identity, native language, culture, beliefs and custom. CIYA offers support to the Indigenous communities dealing with challenges over land ownership and the management of natural resources used to sustain their livelihoods. Lay is a team leader of the Land and Natural Resource Management program (a program focused on Right to Land, Forest, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and climate change and livelihood issues). His responsibilities include managing the project cycle and working directly with Indigenous partners and national and international networks. He is hoping the program will contribute to building Indigenous community networks and strategies for strengthening the capacity of Indigenous communities.