Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
The launching took place Tuesday May 28, 2024 at the conference hall of the Friedrich Elbert Stiftung in Yaounde, political capital of Cameroon. It was in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development, officials from the Yaounde 1 Council area, University dons, representatives from over 15 youth-led civil society organizations among others.
Speaking at the launch, the project manager, Hervé MAKEBEL, from YVE, presented the project in details saying that the aim is to prepare, mobilize, and reinforce the capacities of youths not only to understand, but to participate actively in democratic processes at local levels across the country.
“The project will promote transparency, responsibility, equity and sustainability in democratic actions,” says Hervé MAKEBEL.
The project shall center around three main activities. One of it will be trainings on green governance with 3 online sessions and a physical session expected to be organized.
According to the project manager, experts related to issues of green governance would be invited to train the youths.
The other key activity will be an inter-generational dialogue framework where the youths will have the opportunity to mingle with experienced seniors and be able to benefit from mentorship.
Above all these, the project will spearhead the creation of a “Youth Network” on green governance for a proper influence of their activities, and calling policy makers to serve.
The University of Green Governance (UniGoVe) is presently in its pilote phase, and so far, partnerships have been sealed with some municipalities.
“We have a strong partnership with the Yaounde 1 Council, and we intend to encourage more young people to get involved in all activities related to green governance,” Hervé MAKEBEL said.
He added that most council don’t yet have a “Climate Development Plan”, “and that is one of our objectives to help them have one“.
The representative of the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development, praised the initiative of YVE indicating that the ministry would do all to support its success.
The University of Green Governance it should be noted was developed thanks to technical support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation. The foundation was represented at the launch by its resident representative, Ms NINA NETZER.
In her statement, the representative lauded the initiative and invited the youths present to do all to register for the up coming elections and encourage their peers to do same, for “it is the best way of shaping green governance”.