Today, as we celebrate International Youth Day, we are reminded of the transformative power of young people in shaping a better world. For us, at Local Youth Corner Cameroon, a youth-led organization dedicated to youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and countering violent extremism, this day holds special significance. It is a chance for us to reflect on our youth-led achievements and renew our commitment to changing the narrative to a world where young people are respected and valued as a part of a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive. In our work, we are leveraging the power of young people to drive positive peace and development. Young People are not just the future, we are also the present. Our energy, creativity, and innovative thinking are crucial in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

Empowering young People as a path to driving positive change 

For us at LOYOC, youth empowerment is at the core of everything we do. We believe that when young people are given the opportunity to lead, they become powerful agents of change. Our programmes, initiatives and projects focus on developing young people’s skills and ability to initiate and drive change within various communities. By supporting youth in their journey, we help them unlock and shape their potential and contribution to the overall peace and development processes.  

Youth for building peace and countering extremism

In an environment and era where conflict and violent extremism can easily take root, we consider that peacebuilding efforts require dedication and collaboration. In the words of our Executive Director “Our efforts in peacebuilding and countering violent extremism are guided by the belief that young people are more ambassadors of change and not agents of violence”. We work towards changing harmful narratives and rather seek to promote collaboration between youths and other stakeholders as a means to highlight the importance of inclusiveness. Our approach is holistic, it involves education, community engagement, and community dialogue. Through our initiatives, we seek to create spaces where young people can express their concerns, share their experiences, and work together to address the root causes of violence and extremism. By fostering these conversations, we build bridges and create pathways to lasting peace.

On this International Youth Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of our young leaders all over Cameroon and the world, especially all those who are working tirelessly to make a difference and drive positive change. One of those, is our Executive Director, Mr. Achaleke Christian Leke, your journey inspire us and remind us of the potential that lies in each and every one of us. As we look to the future, we at LOYOC, remain committed to supporting and empowering our peers and the upcoming generation of youth, and  pledge together to build a Cameroon, Africa and world where peace, inclusion, social cohesion and development prevail. 

Happy International Youth Day!