West, Central Africa : Youth Train To Assure National Peace, Security

“Conflicts occur because of injustice and misunderstanding. Youth are often used in conflicts. But if they refuse, there will be no conflicts because youth are key actors of peace - just like other age groups,” commented Prof. Kum Awa Paschal, the Technical Adviser in the Cameroon Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education.

Preparing For Conflicts, Crises
Prof. Kum spoke in the Yaounde, the Cameroonian capital on Monday, October 16, 2023 at the opening of a Regional Training Of Trainers Workshop On National Framework On Youth, Peace And Security, YPS For West And Central Africa. The four-day training lasting from October 16-19, 2023 is organised by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA. Alongside the Cameroonian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, MINJEC.

The Place Of Youth
“No part of the world feels safe today. There are conflicts everywhere. The skills you will acquire will help you upon return home. As youth, live exemplary lives before transiting to adulthood. The peace and security of your countries depend on you… Peaceful cohabitation and living together amongst countries has become fragilised. There is urgent need to sensitise the public on civic education and citizenship values,” Prof. Kum suggested.

Cameroon’s Example
The Technical Adviser commended United Nations agencies for ensuring that the important workshop held in Cameroon, adding that the host nation was a good example of social cohesion and living together.

African Youth Carried Along
African Union, AU Peace Ambassador, Christian Acheleke said young were consulted during preparations for the workshop. He added that African youth have over the years been holding discussions with the African Union Peace and Security Council. Acheleke thanked UNFPA for playing a great role in this vein. He disclosed that a number of African countries were already working on their national youth peace and security action plans.

Cameroon Government Support  
Noemi Dalmonte, UNFPA Deputy Country Representative for Cameroon commended the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education for its support to the youth peace and security activities of UNFPA. Saying this was evidence of the importance government accorded to youth matters.

Plea For More Secure World
“We need a more peaceful and secure world for everyone,” Dalmonte admonished. While admitting that conflicts and the effects of climate change are common in Central Africa, she appealed for a more peaceful world for everyone.

Hand In Glove
The Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, MINJEC, is hosting the Regional Training of Trainers on National Action Plans on Youth Peace and Security, YPS for the West and Central Africa region. The workshop lasts from October 16-19, 2023 in Yaoundé, is co-chaired by both sides.  

Great Facilitators
Some 30 experts from UNFPA, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP; government representatives, youth activists and civil society organizations from 11 West and Central African countries will be trained in developing, implementing and monitoring YPS National Action Plans, NAP.

United Nations Involvement
The United Nations Security Council successively adopted three resolutions - 2250 in 2015; 2419 in 2018 and 2535 in 2020, which constitute the backbone of the YPS Agenda. These resolutions acknowledge young people as positive forces in the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

Youth, Peace, Security Agenda
UNFPA, whose mandate is delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and the potential of every young person is fulfilled, supports Member States in implemen...