His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, has called on authorities at all levels and all fellow citizens to work together to care for and support elderly, aged, disabled, poor and vulnerable people, ensuring that they have access to food, care and appropriate accommodation within their communities.
The appeal was made in a Royal Message issued recently on the occasion of Cambodian Elderly Day and the International Day of Older Persons, observed annually on Oct. 1.
In the message, His Majesty expressed his great pleasure and joined the Cambodian people in celebrating the two occasions, which aim to raise public awareness of the value, dignity, rights and roles of older persons in society, while demonstrating appreciation and gratitude for previous generations who have contributed valuable knowledge and helped build families, communities and the nation.
His Majesty stressed that the observance of these days is particularly important for younger generations to better understand the importance of respecting, caring for and supporting their parents, grandparents and older family members, who have made significant contributions through raising, caring for and educating younger generations.
Older persons are also valuable sources of knowledge and experience, having lived through various periods of history and witnessed important events, traditions and cultural practices in their communities, the monarch noted.
His Majesty further called on authorities and citizens to work together to ensure that elderly, disabled, poor and people without support receive adequate food, care and suitable accommodation in their respective communities.
He suggested that, depending on local circumstances, elderly care centres could be established or existing pagodas and religious institutions could be utilised to provide shelter, food and necessary support to those in need.
Such efforts, His Majesty said, reflect gratitude, filial respect, love and care, while helping preserve family values, morality, traditions, customs and social solidarity in Cambodian society.
The King expressed his hope that these efforts would contribute to building a society in which people of all generations can live together harmoniously, with warmth and dignity, and called for the spirit of Cambodian Elderly Day and the International Day of Older Persons to remain in the hearts of all Cambodians.
