Executive Summary

This policy brief draws insights from the experiences of young people in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon to underscore the pivotal role of community dialogue in enhancing youth participation in peacebuilding efforts. It elucidates key findings, encompassing cultural barriers, youth confidence issues, negative stereotypes, the intrinsic trust young people place in community dialogue, and the imperative for inclusive and modernized community dialogue processes.

Among the recommendations, this brief stresses the need to provide a safe space and opportunities for young people to collaboratively lead and/or co-create community dialogue processes. It suggests that empowering young people in these roles fosters inclusivity as well as ensures relevance and effectiveness in addressing community issues.

Reflecting on the importance of community dialogue, the brief highlights the perspectives of young people from the North West and South West regions, concluding that young people are eager to participate and lead community dialogues. Young people believe community dialogue is critical in tackling community issues and fostering community ownership of solutions. This brief further captures the rate of awareness and participation of young people in community dialogue in these regions.

This brief further reflects on the significant role youths play in community dialogue and how their engagement can be transformative. It captures that youth engagement underscores how such involvement not only inspires peer-to-peer motivation but guarantees more community ownership of the process and its outcomes. It concludes by reflecting on some challenges young people are facing while participating in this process, most especially concerns regarding protection and safety which warrants more attention to ensure more young people participate in peace processes.

Download Full Version: Policy Brief – Leveraging Community Dialogue to Advance Youth Participation in Peace Processes- 2024