A group of committed civil society activists came together in Yaounde, Cameroon last week, with a common goal to increase understanding and cooperation among cultures at the community level across the country.
The newly formed steering committee, as part of the Unity in Diversity project and working together under the umbrella of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, aims to offer local civil society organizations with access to international networks and partners, opportunities to share best practices, and for the different cultures in Cameroon to represent their interests at the United Nations.
“As next step, I suggest that we develop a kind of national strategic plan of action including main goals and activities we want to see implemented in Cameroon in the field of the UNAOC goals. Also fundraising should be considered,” stated Jean Paul Brice Affana.
Civil society organizations working across various fields in Cameroon, including; Family, Health, Cultures, Community, Education, and others, will be invited to join and become part of the growing international movement in support of the mission of the Alliance, but also will be able to receive support for developing and integrating intercultural policies and practices.
According to Mbingno Fekeme Miriam, a graduate in law and one of the steering committee members who traveled throughout the night to attend the meeting, “Cameroon is a country of diverse culture. Its youth needs to be empowered to promote trust and tolerance and to advance development goals. With all this, I think there is a need for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation”.
As both intercultural cooperation and engaging diaspora communities around the world presents new opportunities for achieving development goals and helping Africa modernize itself, members of the steering committee are thinking beyond the borders of Cameroon. “I know thousands of organizations will want to become members in Nigeria, Ghana Republic and Benin Republic”, stated Philip Tah Fon.
In addition to creating an assembly of civil society organizations per country, the Unity in Diversity project which is currently active in Australia and India, includes developing Gardens and Forums.
For more information, please visit http://www.gdfunityindiversity.org