Armed with smartphones and unfailing determination, young Cameroonians are preparing to shake up the codes of environmental governance. The UniGove project, launched recently in Yaoundé, is not just another initiative – it is the catalyst for profound transformation.
Imagine for a moment that thousands of young people who are connected and trained, are infiltrating the corridors of power with a single mission – to render Cameroon’s policies green.
From waste management to the protection of biodiversity, no subject escapes their vigilance.
UniGove is the school that transforms indignation into action, passion into expertise. But be careful, this is not a utopia. As climate change knocks on our doors, Cameroon could well become the African laboratory for a new form of environmental democracy.
The question is no longer whether young people can change things, but rather: is Cameroon ready for this coming green wave?
The “University of Green Governance Project – UniGove”, initiated by the NGO Young Volunteers for the Environment (JVE), marks a decisive turning point in the involvement of young people in environmental governance in Cameroon.
This ambitious initiative, which will extend until September 31, 2024, is part of the WYDE_Civic Engagement Program funded by the European Union. The main objective of UniGove is to inject a dynamic of green governance into the decentralization process underway in Cameroon.
The project aims to bring together young people from across the territory for online training via platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet, complemented by face-to-face sessions in Yaoundé bringing together various stakeholders, including political actors and youth and youth organizations. women.
Hamed Ismael, young leader of civil society, expresses his enthusiasm: “UniGove represents an unprecedented opportunity for us young people to train and actively involve ourselves in environmental decision-making processes. It is an initiative that truly responds to our needs and aspirations for change.”
The project is structured around three main axes: training of young people on green governance, intergenerational dialogue with decision-makers, and networking of young people. JVE thus aims to advance the quality and effectiveness of environmental policies while involving citizens and stakeholders in decision-making.
Aurore Ndjock, another rising figure in civil society, underlines the importance of this initiative: “UniGove addresses crucial governance issues. It is time for us, young people, to take our place in the decisions that shape our future. This project gives us the tools to do this in an informed and effective way.”
The launch meeting was an opportunity to re-contextualize the project by taking into account the opinions and positions of partners and young leaders of civil society. This participatory approach strengthens the relevance and potential impact of UniGove.
With a focus on the involvement of youth and women in green governance, UniGove recognizes their crucial role as key actors of environmental change.
This initiative promises not only to strengthen the capacities of young people in the use of green governance mechanisms and tools, but also to create a new generation of environmental leaders in Cameroon.
As the UniGove project takes off, it carries with it hopes for more inclusive, effective and sustainable environmental governance. Its success could well serve as a model for other similar initiatives across Africa, propelling the country to the forefront of innovation in environmental governance.
Cameroon’s green revolution is only just beginning, and its young people are spearheading it.
By Ghatim Patience
