The National Symposium on Localizing the African Union Continental Framework on Youth
Peace and Security
The National Symposium on Localizing the African Union Continental Framework on Youth
Peace and Security (AU-CFYPS) was a first step in the Amplify Peace Initiative which sought to raise awareness, build capacity, collect public opinion, and secure buy-in from young people, CSOs, international organizations, policymakers, and government stakeholders from the 10 regions of Cameroon on the implementation of the youth peace and security agenda in Cameroon.
It was organized by Local Youth Corner Cameroon in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education and the Cameroon Coalition on Youth Peace and Security, UNOY, and CYPAN. The Symposium was funded by African Union, Canadian High Commission in Cameroon, and UNFPA- Cameroon.
The Symposium was a 3-day hybrid event held at the Chambre d’Agriculture, Yaoundé from the 28th – 30th October 2021. It mobilized 100 persons; 40 online and 60 in-person (70 young people 30 development partners from government, NGO, INGOs, and International organizations) to build their capacity and raise their awareness on the AU CFYPS.
Through interactive discussions and panel presentations, the Symposium triggered deep conversations between the participants and key experts on the peace and security situation of Cameroon and how the YPS agenda could be leveraged to amplify youth efforts in building peace. In attendance among the speakers was Dr. Rhuks from the AU Youth for Peace Program who highlighted the interest of the African Union in amplifying youth efforts for peace in Cameroon and supporting the process towards developing a strategy and National Action on YPS. Similarly, H.E Richard Bale, the Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon in his presentation articulated the commitment of the Canadian government to promote peace in Cameroon with a key focus on putting young boys and girls at the forefront of the process.
Our activity evaluations during and after this 3-day event showed that the symposium improved the knowledge of the participants, especially the young people on the YPS agenda, and provided them with tools on how to build peace. The participants attested that the symposium allowed them to build trust among their peers and find common ground with other development stakeholders on how to promote youth participation in peacebuilding.
One of the key recommendations during this Symposium was the need for a nationwide consultation on YPS in Cameroon to target more young people and stakeholders from across the country which took place from the 20th to the 30th of January 2022 across the 10 Regions of Cameroon (Read More Here). The participants also insisted on the need for development stakeholders and government to make commitments to the agenda, development of a national strategy for implementation, and adoption of a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security.