Seven youths from different regions of Cameroon have been awarded certificates and cash prizes for their outstanding works of arts that exposes the consequences of violence and hate on young people in the country.
The seven laureates were disclosed during the closing ceremony of a competition to this effect which was launched by the UNESCO Regional Multisectoral Bureau for Central Africa in Yaoundé in collaboration with the ministry of Youth and Civic Education, MINJEC.
The seven laureates aged 15-35 years were selected among based on the quality of the paintings and the message in conveyed among 64 submissions that came in nationwide following their response to the call for proposals from UNESCO and MINJEC for production of photographs and graphics on the theme “Consequences of violence and hate on young people in Cameroon”.
The competition falls within the implementation of the Peace building Fund of the SG of the UN, the operationalization of the activity “Production of training/awareness and self-training materials and tools for women and youth” and the commemoration of the International Day of Living Together in Peace.
Launched at a period when the country is rocked with conflict in the NW, SW, hate speech and xenophobia, the competition seeks to encourage youth to be actors of peace, social cohesion and harmonious living together and to implement measures relevant for return to peace as well as create awareness on the evils of violence and hatred, advocate for plight of youth struggling with devastating effects of the societal ill, seek recommendations on how government in collaboration with development partners can contribute to the culture of peace nationwide.
Addressing youth at the ceremony, Minister Mounouna Foutsou said the artistic works would serve as awareness-raising tools against violence and hatred, with hope of awakening the national consciousness on the need for national unity as a catalyst for the country's development.
On her part, Yvonne Matuturu, Deputy Director of UNESCO Regional Multisectoral Bureau for Central Africa used the ceremony to outline steps taken by institution to promote peace in the country. The event was attended by the minister of secondary education, the secretary of state in the minister of basic education, and representatives of other ministries.
The officials used the occasion in a question and answer session to provide answers to worries raised by youths on how their respective ministerial departments were contributing to peace.
Minister Nalova Lyonga specifically harped on the need to enure equity in jon and training opportunities for both English-speaking and French-speaking Cameroonians as a key factor to ensure social cohesion while Dr. Asheri Kilo of basic education explained steps put in place to build young Cameroonians in a culture of peace within the school curricula through live skills and civic education.
Mbozeko Brice of the Dance for Development group from the North West region emerged winner in first prize. Other winners included Bekono Steve Fabien, Epoh Nthe Durel-Landry, Ngong Mabout Delors, Nkolo Ayissi Victor Rodrigue, Tsafack Dongmo Aristol and Togodba Lucien Victor.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
No comments:
Post a Comment