30
Sep
Peace Planting Symposium and Art Exhibition
- 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
- National Museum, Yaounde
The Planting Peace Project Symposium held at the National Museum, Yaoundé on September 30, 2024 was convened by the Itaka Foundation, an organization of the Piarist Fathers in Cameroon (also known as the Society of St. Joseph Calasanz), sponsored by the United States Embassy in Cameroon.
This event saw attendance from numerous Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs across Cameroon. Representing Family World International (FAWOI) was Secretary General Stephen A. Kube, alongside partner organizations such as Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), IRebuild Africa, ROBOGA, YALI Sports Africa, Association for the Welfare of Albinos (AWA), Hope for a Better Tomorrow (HOBET), Association of the Vulnerable (ASOV), and many others.
The symposium brought together esteemed guests such as Rev. Fr. Peter Afoukeze Kebei-Ghongson, the Director of Itaka Foundation, and his manager Sama Caspa. Representing the US Embassy were Deputy Public Affairs Officer Amanda Cauldwell, Youth Exchanges and Alumni Coordinator Olivia Nowou, and Public Engagement Specialist Mrs. Charlene Wantong. The event was moderated by Mrs. Sally Mboumien, Executive Director of COMAGEND.
Peacebuilding in Cameroon: Analysis of CSO and Government Approaches
Participants delved into various approaches by both the state and CSOs towards peacebuilding. CSO initiatives included localization of peace processes, creating safe spaces to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and ensuring safe school environments. They emphasized awareness and advocacy for peace, formation of the Cameroon national women’s peace convention, enhancing community dialogue and mediation, combating misinformation and hate speech, and fostering partnerships and collaborations among inter-state agencies and CSOs.
Participants delved into various approaches by both the state and CSOs towards peacebuilding. CSO initiatives included localization of peace processes, creating safe spaces to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and ensuring safe school environments. They emphasized awareness and advocacy for peace, formation of the Cameroon national women’s peace convention, enhancing community dialogue and mediation, combating misinformation and hate speech, and fostering partnerships and collaborations among inter-state agencies and CSOs.
Peace is a place where there is no fighting and people feel comfortable living together as one.
The government on its part defended state sovereignty, hosted a major national dialogue addressing the socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, promoted bilingualism and multiculturalism, instituted the Presidential Reconstruction Plan (PRP), and established an anti-terrorism squad under the 2014 terrorism law. They also emphasized common law valorization and youth empowerment initiatives.
The diaspora community’s involvement in peacebuilding was highlighted through their participation in national dialogues and conferences aimed at fostering peace.
Digital Diplomacy and Peace Advocacy: Harnessing Technology for Change
Discussions highlighted both positive and negative aspects of technology usage. Negative attributes included cyberbullying, propaganda, fake news, and incitement of violence through digital platforms. Positive attributes were fact-checking, influencers promoting peace, media law enforcement, magazines and poetry for peace on social media, and using artificial intelligence for combating misinformation.
Discussions highlighted both positive and negative aspects of technology usage. Negative attributes included cyberbullying, propaganda, fake news, and incitement of violence through digital platforms. Positive attributes were fact-checking, influencers promoting peace, media law enforcement, magazines and poetry for peace on social media, and using artificial intelligence for combating misinformation.
Leveraging US Government Resources for Peace Activism: A Toolkit for Changemakers
Facilitated by the US Embassy Public Engagement Specialist, participants were encouraged to leverage tools and skills for peace activism, such as communication, negotiation, mediation, cultural competence, critical thinking, advocacy, resilience, adaptability, research and analysis, social media, emotional intelligence, project management, and networking. Suggested funding methods like GOFUNDME initiatives, having strategic plans, and partnerships were also discussed.
Facilitated by the US Embassy Public Engagement Specialist, participants were encouraged to leverage tools and skills for peace activism, such as communication, negotiation, mediation, cultural competence, critical thinking, advocacy, resilience, adaptability, research and analysis, social media, emotional intelligence, project management, and networking. Suggested funding methods like GOFUNDME initiatives, having strategic plans, and partnerships were also discussed.
Innovative Peacebuilding in Cameroon: Overcoming Challenges and Fostering Sustainable Solutions
The symposium acknowledged ongoing challenges such as lack of communication, inequalities, inadequate emergency preparedness, censorship, lack of empathy, education deficits, digital divide, and exclusion. Proposed solutions included enhancing protection mechanisms for activists, using traditional peacebuilding techniques like inter-quarter games, community engagement in peacebuilding design, storytelling, family-centered peace education, intergenerational transfer of values, livelihood initiatives for vulnerable populations, education for peace trainings, mainstreaming digital literacy, reskilling for emergency response, and promoting youth participation.
The symposium acknowledged ongoing challenges such as lack of communication, inequalities, inadequate emergency preparedness, censorship, lack of empathy, education deficits, digital divide, and exclusion. Proposed solutions included enhancing protection mechanisms for activists, using traditional peacebuilding techniques like inter-quarter games, community engagement in peacebuilding design, storytelling, family-centered peace education, intergenerational transfer of values, livelihood initiatives for vulnerable populations, education for peace trainings, mainstreaming digital literacy, reskilling for emergency response, and promoting youth participation.
Peace Planting Art Exhibition
The event culminated in the Peace Planting Art Exhibition, attended by US Ambassador to Cameroon Christopher Lamora and other state, religious, and community leaders like the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea whose residence was the primary home to the exhibited art by Pinna. The exhibition showcased artwork reflecting children’s need for peace to enable their education, accompanied by the national anthems of Cameroon and the United States and inspiring speeches.
The event culminated in the Peace Planting Art Exhibition, attended by US Ambassador to Cameroon Christopher Lamora and other state, religious, and community leaders like the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea whose residence was the primary home to the exhibited art by Pinna. The exhibition showcased artwork reflecting children’s need for peace to enable their education, accompanied by the national anthems of Cameroon and the United States and inspiring speeches.
This symposium and art exhibition not only highlighted current peacebuilding efforts but also set the stage for innovative approaches to sustain peace in Cameroon.
