By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has joined the European Union (EU) to support the organization of the National Colloquium on Youth Peace and Security, YPS in Cameroon.
This was a key outcome of a three-day colloquium held at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) in Yaoundé from November 20 to 23. The colloquium was themed, “Driving towards the finalization and implementation of the national action plan on youth, peace, and security in Cameroon.”
The first two days of the colloquium saw an in-depth review of the inception report by a committee of 50 experts from government, UN, international organizations, civil society and young people.
During the closing ceremony, over 300 participants including young peacebuilders, government officials, members of parliament, religious and traditional authorities, students, development partners, and members of the national commission and technical committee on Youth, Peace, and Security met to reflect on the inception report while sharing their insights and data to help improve the YPS NAP
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Robert Theophile, the Secretary General of MINJEC, applauded the initiative, stating that it is a significant step in the right direction.
He expressed confidence that the proposals put forward by the team of experts would result in a relevant document that would address the pressing challenges faced by today’s youth, particularly in the areas of peace and security at both the national and international levels.
“We believe that the proposals from the expert team will result in a relevant document that addresses the challenges facing our youth, particularly in the areas of peace and security, both nationally and internationally.”
“We, the youth of Cameroon, were fully mobilized across the nation,” said Fadimatou Iyawa, President of the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNJC). “This three-day intensive colloquium allowed us to contribute our unique perspectives to the cause of peace and security.”
Dr. Neba Ridley Ngwa, Secretary General at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), stated that the initiative aligns with IRIC’s objectives, interests, and vision.
“We welcome this initiative and champion it. We aim to ensure that the framework, which will be outlined in a document, serves as a guideline for young people, particularly in the field of business,” he said.
Professor Jean-Emmanuel Pondi who is the lead consultant in the elaboration of the plan emphasized the importance of this plan in empowering young people, who are often both actors and victims of conflict and insecurity.
He added that this initiative would demonstrate to Cameroonians and the international community the aspirations of Cameroon’s youth and their commitment to achieving peace and security within the country and nationally with the support and contributions of various stakeholders.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC), Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC), and the Cameroon National Youth Council hosted the colloquium in collaboration with Search for Common Ground Cameroon as part of the Young Cameroon project, funded by the European Union.
YPS is been implemented by Local Youth Corner Cameroon and Search for Common Ground Cameroon under the leadership of MINJEC & CNJC. This collaboration led to the development of an inception report which serves as the first draft of the National Action Plan (NAP) on YPS in Cameroon.
As noted by a youth participant, the Young Cameroon project funded by the EU has indeed contributed in accelerating the development and implementation of the Cameroon National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security, which has been in development since 2016.
The Country Director of SFCG, Mrs Tatiana Lobe joined her voice with the Executive Director of LOYOC, Mr Achaleke Christian Leke to reaffirm their commitment towards supporting national efforts in advancing the YPS agenda in Cameroon.
The colloquium provided an inclusive platform for fostering dialogue, strengthening political commitment, collaboration, and feedback, as well as reinforcing multi-sectoral engagement.
