Cameroon Youths and Stakeholders to Reflect on the YPS National Action Plan (NAP) at the Upcoming Colloquium 

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) and the Cameroon National Youth Council will be hosting a Colloquium on Youth Peace and Security at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon in collaboration with Search for Common Ground Cameroon as part of the Young Cameroon project funded by the European Union. This 3-day initiative which is also supported by UNFPA Cameroon as well as UNFPA Regional Office for West and Central Africa and other partners is scheduled from November 20th to November 23rd, 2024. The Colloquium aims at propelling the finalisation and implementation of the Cameroon National Action Plan on YPS which has been in process since 2016. This colloquium is under the theme “Driving towards the Finalisation and Implementation of the Cameroon National Action Plan on Youth Peace and Security.”

Event Overview This colloquium will gather over 300 stakeholders including young peace builders from all regions of Cameroon, youth leaders, government officials, members of parliament, religious and traditional authorities, students, development actors, and members of the national commission and technical committee on YPS.

Why This Event Matters In a context where socio-political tensions have tested stability, Cameroon’s youth have shown resilience and dedication to peacebuilding. However, young peacebuilders often face challenges such as limited resources, recognition, and security threats. This colloquium will offer a platform for inclusive dialogue, collaboration, and reflection on achievements and future pathways for youth participation in peace processes.

Participants will engage in discussions designed to:

• Socialize the YPS agenda and link it to their ongoing work.
• Secure political support for the completion and adoption of the YPS NAP.
• Gather feedback from stakeholders on the NAP’s content and implementation.
• Reinforce commitments from various sectors towards the finalisation and enactment of the YPS NAP.

Event Structure The colloquium will be divided into two main components:

1. Technical Sessions (Days 1 & 2): A focused gathering of approximately 50 experts and technical committee members, working alongside the lead consultant to review the inception report and refine the National Action Plan (NAP) inception report content
2. Open Session (Day 3): A high-level event with over 300 participants, including youth representatives, government officials, development partners, and diplomats. This session, led by the Minister of Youth Affairs, will showcase the draft content of the NAP, share stakeholder commitments, and provide an interactive space for feedback and discussion.

Methodologies The colloquium will incorporate various formats to enhance participant engagement, including:

• Plenary Sessions: Keynote addresses by peacebuilding and youth engagement experts.
• Workshops and Breakout Discussions: Interactive workshops on critical YPS topics.
• Panel Discussions: Intergenerational dialogues and the sharing of best practices.

Join Us in Shaping Cameroon’s Youth Peace and Security Future This colloquium marks a crucial step in advancing Cameroon’s YPS agenda. It’s an opportunity for all stakeholders—from policy-makers to grassroots youth leaders—to come together, share insights, and solidify actions that promote peace, security, and meaningful youth participation.

We invite all interested parties to be part of this landmark event as we work collaboratively to chart a course for peace and stability in Cameroon through the voices and actions of its young people.