The ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West Regions has highlighted the critical need for inclusive dialogue processes involving young people to build trust and mutual understanding. Traditional approaches have often excluded youth, exacerbating tensions and hindering peace efforts. In response, the ENERGY Project (Enhancing Youth Capacities and Fostering Improbable Dialogue for Peace) was initiated to promote youth participation in peace and security discussions through innovative dialogue methods.

Improbable dialogue, as conceptualized by John Paul Lederach, transcends traditional boundaries by bringing together diverse stakeholders who may not typically engage. This bottom-to-bottom dialogue creates a safe space for marginalized voices, like youth and women, fostering understanding and collaboration. Participants develop a common understanding of peacebuilding concepts and work towards actionable solutions.

The success of improbable dialogue lies in its phased approach, emphasizing pre-dialogue preparation, active dialogue facilitation, and post-dialogue follow-up. This ensures sustained engagement and consensus-building among participants. Importantly, improbable dialogue goes beyond rhetoric to inspire tangible action, facilitated by impartial but supportive dialogue facilitators.

Recommendations for fostering an enabling environment for improbable dialogues involve multi-stakeholder collaboration. The government should facilitate community-level consultations, support dialogue toolkits, and integrate improbable dialogue into official peace processes. Development partners can contribute by supporting youth exchange programs, funding research on improbable dialogue, and fostering communities of practice. Civil society organizations play a crucial role in popularizing improbable dialogues, sensitizing youth, and creating spaces for transformative dialogue. Lastly, youth themselves must commit to participating in dialogues, mobilizing their peers, and leveraging dialogue tools to advocate for peace.

Download and read the Policy brief by clicking here Improbable Dialogue- Building a New Ground for Effective Youth Engagement and Participation in Peace processes