Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) is honored to receive The Awards in recognition of the role  played in advancing YPS agenda  during the Experience sharing workshop on Development of  National Action Plan (NAPS) on Youth Peace and Security. The Award Ceremony held on the 12th and 13th April 2023, at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa. LOYOC constitutes one of the six (6) awardees (3 for  Youth Peace and Security (YPS) and 3 for Women Peace and Security (WPS) who have made a substantial contribution in the pursuit of WPS and YPS in their community, region and country.

This award recognized our leading efforts in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding measures, towards making a positive and transformative difference in our community. It also celebrates our critical role played across the continent in achieving the objectives set by the  YPS Agendas. The award applauds our inclusive peace and security efforts and decision-making processes through collaboration, leadership, innovation with our visible and tangible achievements in advancing the YPS agenda.

The award was received by Ngu Naah Vanesia, Finance and Operation Manager at Local Youth Corner Cameroon. She was thrilled to receive this award on behalf of the organization. “I dedicate this award to the entire  LOYOC team, our partners and every young person contributing tirelessly to achieve a  positive transformation in their society.” – Vanesia shared. 

The award was followed by a round table Advocacy meeting with stakeholders in Youth/Women Peace and security. Naah Vanesia presented a brief background of the organization’s work, provided some challenges we face in implementing our workplans,  the mitigation strategies we employ, she highlighted our major achievements on YPS and the impact on our target beneficiaries.  These continued with  interactive discussions and followed by the African Union tour.  Naah Vanessa and LOYOC’s Executive Director Mr. Achaleke Christian Leke present at the award ceremony were received by Cameroon’s Ambassador  to Ethiopia H.E. Monono in Addis Ababa, where they presented the award. He expressed his sincere congratulations and reaffirmed the support of the state in supporting YPS.

 

It is worth nothing that the essence of youth participation in peace and security enunciated in the African Youth Charter (2006) gained global popularity with the UNSCR 2250 (2015). There have been subsequent UN resolutions including UNSCR 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2021) as well as the AU Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security and several PSC Communiqués on YPS that have contributed to the recognition and promotion of YPS. It is against this background that the Youth for Peace (Africa) Program (Y4P) of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of African Union launched the awards initiative in recognition of and support for the important role civil society plays in implementing the YPS agenda.

LOYOC’s work is in line with the African Union’s commitment to “leaving no one behind,” as part of its aspiration to build a people-centered community and deliver the 2063 Agenda for shared prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth are realized, and with freedom from fear, disease and want.

This award comes as a well needed boost for young people and women all over the world and Cameroon who on a daily basis commit to building peace and achieving global development goals. To LOYOC, this calls for continues resilience and more work.