Welcome to the era of UNIGOV, the University of Green Governance, where the sustainable future of Cameroon is taking shape in the hands of its youth.
Officially launched on May 28 in the conference room of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the UNIGOV project, supported by the NGO Young Volunteers for the Environment (JVE), is preparing to take a new crucial step. An information session, scheduled for July 4, will mark the start of an adventure that promises to revolutionize green governance in Cameroon.
“UNIGOV aims to instill a dynamic of green governance in the decentralization processes underway in Cameroon. We promote the principles of participatory democracy, transparency, accountability, equity and sustainability,” says Herve Makebel, project manager at JVE.
The project would provide communities with digital tools allowing them to improve their governance. This ambitious project, the result of international collaboration, is funded by the European Union through the European Association for Local Democracy, People in Need, European Partnership for Democracy, and Elbarlament Culture of Democracy. It also benefits from local support from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Municipality of Yaoundé 1.
UNIGOV is structured around three major objectives: networking young people, stimulating intergenerational dialogue, and in-depth training of young people on green governance.
“These axes directly respond to the needs of the development context of Cameroon, in full implementation of its decentralization process,” underlines Herve Makebel.
The presence of the representative of the Ministry of Decentralization during the launch highlighted the importance that the government attaches to this initiative. “UNIGOV aligns perfectly with our national strategy of decentralization and improvement of local governance,” he said, thus giving institutional legitimacy to the project.
The July 4 information session promises to be a key moment. It will mark the launch of registrations and will present in detail the training modules, the renowned trainers selected, and the innovative methodological approach.
The project manager specifies that “we have identified hand-picked experts to ensure high-quality training”, hinting at the excellence that will characterize UNIGOV 2024.
Stephanie Djomo, head of the climate desk at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, does not hide her enthusiasm: “This project is a unique opportunity for our youth to get actively involved in sustainable local governance. UNIGOV embodies the future that we want to build.”
As Cameroon continues its decentralization process, UNIGOV promises to be a catalyst for innovative and effective green governance at the local level.
By placing young people at the heart of decision-making processes and promoting intergenerational dialogue, this bold initiative could well be the start of a new era for environmental governance in Cameroon.
The July 4 information session, open to all interested young people, will be held online on the Zoom platform from 3 p.m. Registrations can be made on the organization’s website.
Iric Junior DACHI
