Originally founded in 1956, the Khmer Writers' Association was re-established in 1993 as an independent NGO by two of its former members. It aims to develop the art of writing, particularly amongst the younger generation. By 2002 it had a membership of almost 200, of which less than half were said to work full-time as writers. From 1995 to 2000 under the leadership of You Bo, the Association organised the annual Khmer Literature Festival, at which the Preah Sihanouk Prize was awarded through support from the Royal Palace in odd-numbered years and the 7 January Prize was awarded through support from the Prime Minister in even-numbered years. At the outset the festival garnered over 100 entries each year. Unfortunately since 2000 the Association has not been able to run the festival or award either prize due to a lack of funds. During the same period the Association also organised training courses for writers, including courses for editors (1994) and young writers (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000), sponsored latterly by the Canada Fund. Through these workshops the Association successfully nurtured the development of a new generation of creative writers, including novelists Ouch Vutha, Uom Niroth, Hou Yath and Nget Sophoan and poets Sok Sothon, Pol Pisey, Uk Sau Bol, Eum Sarom, Som Sophierin and Hy Kim Siep. In recent years the organisation has shifted its focus of training to include courses on how to write poems and film screenplays, and former trainees have gone on to work with the Cambodia Television Network, the BBC World Trust and others.