Nature is the ultimate peacemaker. It teaches us to live in harmony with ourselves, with each other, and with the world.
On Wednesday 14th of June 2023, the Bambili Youth Think Tank Club for Peace had the privilege of hosting a Youth Community-based focused discussion on peace building at the Bambili waterfalls. This event is part of the VOYCE project implemented by WAA Cameroon, GPPAC and Trauma Center Cameroon, and funded by the European Union.
The event brought together young people from the surrounding communities who were passionate about creating a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas on how to promote peace and harmony in their communities. The participants came from different walks of life, including students, entrepreneurs, and volunteers. They represented the diversity and richness of our society and showed their commitment and enthusiasm for peace building.
The event was divided into three main sessions: an interactive peace ball discussion, a brainstorming session, and a feedback session. In the interactive peace ball discussion, the participants shared their experiences and insights on how to promote peace and harmony in communities, emphasizing the need for dialogue, understanding, and tolerance. They also highlighted the challenges and opportunities they face in their daily lives, and how they cope with them. The peace ball discussion was facilitated by benefactors of the VOYCE project, who shared their testimonies and achievements as youth peace builders.
In the brainstorming session, the participants engaged in lively discussions on various topics related to peace building, including conflict resolution, tolerance, and understanding. They shared their ideas on how to promote peace in their communities and discussed various strategies, including community engagement, awareness campaigns, cultural values and education, as well as the need for young people to take an active role in promoting peace and harmony. They also identified some of the gaps and challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable peace.
In the feedback session, the participants presented their ideas and suggestions to the organizers. They expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful and enriching event, and thanked WAA Cameroon for its support and guidance. They also expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue and exchange with other young people, and in joining or creating other platforms for peace building.
Overall, the Youth Community-based focused discussion on peace building at Bambili waterfalls was a success. It provided a platform for young people to voice their concerns and ideas on how to promote peace and harmony in their communities. It also fostered a sense of belonging and solidarity among the participants, who felt inspired and empowered by each other's stories and experiences. The event was a testament to the power of youth-led initiatives in promoting positive change in society.
We hope that this event will inspire more young people to join us in our quest for peace and harmony. We believe that together, we can make a difference.
Ediage E. Mpako
Communications, WAA Cameroon
