The air in Buea, South-West Region, was charged not just with humidity but with a palpable energy of hope. From October 16th to 18th, 2025, the Regional Symposium on Youth Participation in the Peace Process successfully brought together 200 passionate participants, including 160 young peacebuilders and 40 high-level stakeholders, at the BIAKA University Institute.

Organized by Local Youth Corner Cameroon in collaboration with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, the symposium served as the critical platform needed to harness the immense potential of youth in resolving the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest (NWSW) regions.

Redefining the Role of Youth: From Victims to Champions

The symposium was a culmination of a process started by LOYOC since 2019, focused on challenging the narrative surrounding young people.

As Mr. Achaleke Christian Leke, Executive Director of Local Youth Corner, stated, the goal is to see young people “not only as troublemakers or victims, but young people are seen as true embodiment of building a peaceful and prosperous nation“.

The high-level opening ceremony saw robust support from various stakeholders, including the Vice Chancellor of Biaka University Institute, Dr. Francisca Hongla Biaka; the Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon, Mrs. Marie-Claude Harvey; and the Divisional Officer of Buea, Dr. Abba Abdouraman, all of whom were present and provided key addresses or reflections. The Regional Delegate of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mr. Isaac Ekombe Mbua, represented the Minister of Youth Affairs. The Delegate stressed the timeliness of the initiative and the universal mandate for peace, reminding all that “violence is perpetrated not only by the males but equally by the females, so when we are preaching peace, we preach peace to the males and the females”.

The Blueprint for Lasting Peace: Partnership and Action

The three-day agenda moved seamlessly from “Understanding the Landscape” to “Building Capacities” and finally, to “From Dialogue to Action”. A central objective was to generate actionable outcomes.

A major outcome was the groundwork laid for the development of a regional implementation roadmap for Cameroon’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS NAP). The Executive Director confirmed this commitment, noting that by aligning all efforts with the YPS NAP, “Southwest and Northwest will already be in front” on implementation.

Crucially, the spirit of collaboration was cemented with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Local Youth Corner Cameroon and Creative Corner Foundation, strengthening the network of peacebuilding partners.

Beyond the Conference Hall: Showcasing Transformation

Adding a powerful dimension to the event was the concurrent Agricultural Exhibition. This special component provided a stage for young former combatants from the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program to proudly showcase their reintegration into civilian life through agri-business.

The exhibition reinforced a key message: peacebuilding efforts must be met with livelihood empowerment and financial literacy skills to ensure long-term sustainability.

Voices of the Future: The Peacebuilder’s Mindset

The true success of the symposium lies in the commitment of its participants. In their own words, young leaders shared their personal philosophies for peacebuilding:

• Active Listening: TichaVanessa, a professional master’s student, emphasized that conflict often arises from miscommunication. She advocates for active listening, stating that by “listening and understanding what others say… you avoid conflict and it adheres to peace“.
• Embodiment of Change: Ngufack Ntemgwa, Communications and Media Specialist at Local Youth Corner Cameroon, stressed the need for personal accountability: “I would say be a mirror. Let your actions and your thoughts be reflective… and be the change that you want to see in the world“.
• Education and Awareness: Marie Sone, a Master’s student in conflict resolution, highlighted the importance of early intervention, noting, “We make sure that we enlighten them by educating them that living with your friend in a class, it’s peaceful, like you people should interact with each other“.

The message is clear: peacebuilding is a journey, not a destination. Having successfully produced a Youth Peacebuilding Charter with concrete recommendations, the young leaders are now equipped to drive the process forward, focused on “evidence-based processes” and transforming their communities.