2026 年 34 巻 3 号 p. 43-56
Existing ethnic development program and policy interventions formally address the need for ethnic participation but in practice they often fall short at the local level. This gap persists despite ongoing government initiatives, including social protection adopted in 2011 and the emphasis on social inclusion articulated in Pentagonal Strategy in 2023. This article investigates the constraints shaping ethnic engagement and examines how Kuy communities overcome social structures to promote meaning development participation. It focuses not only physical access to development initiatives but also on the mobilization of cultural resource and indigenous knowledge, which remain insufficiently incorporated into policy narratives aimed at promoting equitable access to social welfare services implemented by both the state and private developers operating in the area.
The materials used in this article draw on primary data from the author's research, a review of relevant literature, and recent fieldwork conducted in January and February 2025 in the Prey Lang landscape, where large Kuy ethnic groups are located in Kampong Thom province. These areas have experienced rapid socio-economic and environmental transformation driven by development and resource extraction. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, life histories narratives documenting traditional resource management and livelihood adaptation and in-depth interviews focusing on the processes and histories of development interventions, as well as local negotiation strategies for social inclusion and improved.
The study concludes that there is a need for improved information flow, clearer understanding of stakeholder engagement in resources management, conservation and development interventions, and greater attention to unequal power relations and resource allocations, in particular among vulnerable groups. To ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes, social inclusion and production strategies must move beyond conventional formalities and facilitate meaningful participatory engagement that empowers marginalized communities.
