NGO This Life founder honoured with international award

Hong Raksmey
August 16, 2024

Billy Gorter, the Founder and Executive Director of This Life (a man in the circle) and a young boy with his buffalo that inspired as the logo of This Life. Handout photo

Billy Gorter, the founder and executive director of This Life, a Cambodia-based NGO which is dedicated to keeping children out of prison and supporting vulnerable communities, has been honoured as runner-up at the inaugural Veblen Directors Awards.

The prestigious awards selected one exceptional leader in leadership and innovation across several categories, including private equity, SMEs, non-executive roles and more. The event aims to highlight individuals setting new standards and driving positive change globally.

Programme founder Callum Laing was quoted by influential US business publication Street Insider, saying that "we have been blown away by the contenders in this, the first year of the Veblen Directors Awards.”

“I know that our seven amazing winners and the 14 accomplished runner-ups will now be celebrating this achievement with their now expanding networks.”

“These accolades will add weight to their already sparkling professional reputations. I'd also like to thank our generous sponsors, who helped make these Awards possible," said Laing.

Winners include sustainable technology pioneer Reji Kurien Thomas (ESG director of the year and best mentor), whose work in biochar production has contributed significantly to carbon capture, with an estimated sequestration of 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, according to Street Insider.

“Ayanda Mafuleka (diversity and inclusion director of the year) oversees a female empowerment and leadership representation programme in South Africa, mentoring 2000 executives and managers,” added the magazine.

This Life has achieved significant milestones in its mission to support communities and prevent youth incarceration. Supplied
Gorter was recognised in the ESG (environmental, social and governance) director of the year category, which celebrates leaders who have made outstanding contributions to sustainable and ethical practices in their organisations.

Gorter, who began his activism at the age of 19 by advocating for the preservation of Old Growth Forests in Australia, has been a transformative force in Cambodia since founding This Life in 2007.

Starting as a one-person operation, Gorter has grown the organisation into a robust entity with 90 staff members, making a profound impact on tens of thousands of lives across the country.

Under Gorter’s leadership, This Life has achieved significant milestones in its mission to support communities and prevent youth incarceration.

This Life is a Siem Reap-based NGO dedicated to improving the quality of life in Cambodian communities through education, community development and advocacy.

They work closely with locals to design and implement sustainable programmes that address social, economic, and educational challenges, with a focus on empowering vulnerable children and families, while promoting human rights and social justice.

In 2024, This Life supported the first four children in Cambodia to successfully complete diversion orders, allowing them to avoid criminal records. Gorter described this achievement as “the first moon landing” for juvenile justice reform in the country.

The organisation’s innovative programmes, such as This Life Beyond Bars, have dramatically reduced recidivism rates among their participants from 60 per cent to under 2 per cent, providing a model for effective rehabilitation.

This Life," titled No Place for a Child - Alternatives to Imprisoning Children in Cambodia, highlights the impact of various factors on children's rights, particularly within the juvenile justice system, and explores alternatives to imprisoning children in Cambodia. Handout photo

This Life has also been at the forefront of raising awareness about gender-based violence, with campaigns that have reached one in three Cambodians.

Through forging strong relationships with local communities, government ministries and international bodies, This Life has positioned itself as a leader in governance and community development.

His recognition at the Veblen Directors Awards marks Gorter’s first individual accolade on the global stage.

“This honour is both unexpected and humbling. It is a testament to the incredible work of our team at This Life and the resilience of the communities we serve. My background has deeply shaped my commitment to creating positive change,” Gorter told The Post.

Gorter’s personal journey was marked by overcoming significant challenges, including homelessness in his early teens, adding a poignant dimension to his professional achievements.

Once at risk of entering the prison system himself, Gorter now leads an organisation that is dedicated to preventing youth incarceration and supporting the most vulnerable in Cambodian society.