Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) has reinforced efforts to promote peace and security through a partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the University of Aberdeen, and the Institute for Innovation in Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa (IIPSDA).
The initiative culminated in a two-day Continuous Professional Development course on Education in Peace and Security, held at the UNESCO Regional Multi-sectoral Office for Central Africa in Bastos, Yaounde, on March 26–27, 2026. The training brought together policymakers, government officials, security practitioners, intergovernmental organisations, and civil society actors from across Cameroon.
Day one featured presentations on national security theory, a workshop on the Common Ground Approach to Peace and Security, and a high-level panel on Youth, Peace and Security. The panel included Adeline Dontsop, who heads the National Commission for Youth, Peace and Security, and Achaleke Christian Leke, Executive Director of LOYOC.
The day concluded with a session led by Police Commissioner Polycarp Ngufor, founder and president of the Association for Peace and Development. He educated participants on the protection of civilians and the Responsibility to Protect within Cameroon’s security context.
On the second day, participants examined key components of national security, the role of the gendarmerie in Cameroon’s security architecture, and issues related to Women, Peace and Security. Activities concluded with a policy design and evaluation session, a closing panel on best practices in civilian collaboration and protection, and a certificate award ceremony.
Speaking to journalists, Imteyaz Khodabux, Programme Specialist and Head of Science Sector at UNESCO’s regional office in Yaounde, reiterated that “peace and security is the cornerstone” of the organisation’s mandate. He noted that the training would equip stakeholders with the knowledge needed to advance peace and security through education.
His views were echoed by Manu Lekunze, Director of the Education for Peace and Security Initiative at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, who said the course provided an opportunity for stakeholders to refresh their knowledge and strengthen ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
According to Jude Atefor, National Programs Manager of LOYOC, the initiative aligns with the organisation’s mission of promoting peaceful coexistence in Cameroon and beyond.
“It is a pleasure for us to work with UNESCO, the University of Aberdeen, other UN agencies, the Ministry of External Relations, and the Ministry of Territorial Administration to deliver this continuous learning programme,” Atefor said.
LOYOC expressed hope that the programme will be extended to other countries, including Nigeria, and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained within their communities to educate and empower young people.
