Name of organization:
Approches Locales pour le Développement Durable (ALDED)
Description of Organization:
ALDED, based in Cameroon, aims to contribute to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged and marginalized populations through the valorization of local initiatives for sustainable development. Its key areas of work are: support for socio-economic integration of young people of all categories; independent monitoring of public policies at local level; promotion and protection of human rights and the fight against corruption.
Context:
ALDED observed that since Cameroon declared war in 2014 against the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, the Muslim population is more frequently suspected of facilitation or even participation in terrorist attacks against their own country. These suspicions translate in some cases in discrimination and stigmatization or even the rejection in public places (at work, at schools, public transport, etc.). Youth are seen both as potential perpetrators and the lever for innovative and realistic initiatives for cooperation between Muslims and Christians.
Proposed Project and Expected Results:
ALDED proposed a project that would contribute to strengthening religious tolerance and constructive dialogue in this context, especially among youth. The project aims to contribute to improving the understanding and the culture of interreligious tolerance in the young population of central, southern and eastern regions Cameroon. By the end of the project ALDED expects to:
- Organize 3 radio roundtables between representatives of different religious faiths and local boards of the Youth in target regional capitals on issues of religious tolerance in Cameroon;
- Create a Facebook forum of around 3000 young people to exchange on challenges and opportunities of religious, cultural and ethnic diversity in Cameroon;
- Produce awareness raising and educational materials (streamers, bilingual comic strips) on interreligious stigma and discrimination and on the difference between the principles of peace promoted by religions such as Islam and acts of religious extremism made by extremist groups such as Boko Haram;
- Train 90 youth leaders on interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance;
- Establish a network of 90 focal points monitoring and managing conflicts arising from interreligious stigma and discrimination.
Project coordinator: Mr. Francois Amougou
Contact information: aldedcam@yahoo.fr / aldedcam@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ALDED2007/
Read More About the UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund Here