Youth dialogue on sustainable peace, Buea
On 31 March 2026, Voices for Transformation Initiative convened a youth dialogue session at the American Corner, University of Buea Library, bringing together nine young leaders to reflect on their role in building sustainable peace in Cameroon. These youth leaders are civil society founders, internationalists, advocates and legal practitioners who will pass on the knowledge gained with their peers. The session, themed Empowering Local Youths for Sustainable Peace, created a space for honest conversations on the barriers that continue to limit youth participation in peacebuilding processes.
The dialogue took place against the backdrop of the ongoing Anglophone crisis, which began in 2016 and has since affected the social, economic, and educational fabric of the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The crisis has deepened mistrust within communities, disrupted livelihoods, and limited opportunities for young people to meaningfully engage in civic and leadership spaces. Despite being among the most affected, youth voices are often excluded from decision making processes that shape peace and recovery efforts.
“During the session, participants explored what they described as invisible barriers to youth engagement. These included: Deep rooted mistrust limited economic opportunities, and the lack of access to platforms where young people can contribute to dialogue and policy conversations. The discussion moved beyond identifying challenges to examining how young people can reposition themselves as active leaders within their communities.” Gwan Cynthia, community engagement officer at VotInitiative.
A key reflection from the session was that peacebuilding requires more than intention. It calls for a genuine commitment to service, trust building, and sustained community engagement. Participants emphasized that peace, like any meaningful social process, is rooted in relationships. Without trust and inclusion, long term solutions remain out of reach.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of recognizing and respecting ethnic diversity as a foundation for resilience. Participants stressed that inclusive peacebuilding must center the voices and leadership of women, particularly in restorative justice processes where their perspectives are often overlooked. There was also a strong emphasis on the role of education in shaping future leaders and aligning community efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The session contributed to strengthening connections among young leaders and deepening their understanding of their role in advancing peace within their communities. It also reinforced the need for continuous dialogue and collaboration as essential tools for addressing complex social challenges.
Voices for Transformation Initiative continues to position itself as a platform that amplifies youth voices and promotes civic engagement through dialogue, storytelling, and community action. By creating safe spaces for young people to share experiences and ideas, the organization is contributing to a growing movement that sees youth not just as participants, but as drivers of change.
Looking ahead, the initiative is committed to expanding these conversations and reaching more communities across Cameroon. There is a growing need to invest in youth led platforms that foster trust, build leadership, and encourage inclusive participation in peacebuilding efforts.
Voices for Transformation Initiative invites partners, organizations, and individuals to support its efforts in organizing more youth dialogues and strengthening community driven solutions. Supporting this work means investing in a future where young people are empowered to lead, contribute, and transform their communities.
For more information or to collaborate, visit https://votinitiative.org or contact votinitiative6@gmail.com.
