SG-CAM60 – A CANVAS OF SHARED DREAMS

On 1 March 2025, the Singapore Embassy and Singapore-linked Invictus International School Phnom Penh hosted an art jamming session led by Ambassador Teo Lay Cheng to celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Cambodia. Titled “60 Years of Friendship: A Canvas of Shared Dreams”, the event was attended by 14 students from both Singaporean and Khmer communities, as well as their family members.

2 In her opening remarks, Ambassador Teo highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Singapore and Cambodia, particularly in the fields of education and people-to-people exchanges. She said, “This event is not just a celebration of artistic expression but also a symbol of the growing friendship and cooperation between our countries”. She added, “The young are the future of our countries, and it is through initiatives like these that we foster greater understanding and collaboration”. Singapore’s contributions to Cambodia’s education sector, including capacity-building and scholarships for Cambodian students, were also highlighted.

3 Principal of Invictus, Martin Koh said, “The event serves as a powerful reminder of the role education plays in fostering international understanding and cooperation. Through discussions, cultural experiences, and creative expression, students gained a deeper appreciation of the historical ties between Singapore and Cambodia, while also envisioning the possibilities of continued collaboration in the years to come.”

4 The art jamming session commenced with a briefing on Singapore-Cambodia relations. This was followed by a shortlisting of the top three pieces of completed artwork which best represented the spirit of bilateral friendship between the two nations. First prize winner Rachnapisey Chhunn (Year 9) said collaboration between the two countries is always good because “they can grow their economies and create jobs for more people”. First runner-up Panhavortey Heng (Year 9) also summed it up nicely: “When nations are friendly, they can solve problems faster and make the world a better place. It is like when friends help each other out. Everyone benefits and grows together.”