Youths in Cameroon joined their peers on the continent to celebrate the fourth edition of the African Youth Day. The day was marked by a solemn ceremony at the Multipurpose Complex in Yaounde. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the event took place in the presence of the Minister of Basic Education, Youssouf Hadidja Alim, representatives of members of government, the diplomatic corps, international organisations, representatives of youth associations as well as guests. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”. The Africa Youth Day was set aside by the African Heads of State and Government on July 2006 in Banjul, Gambia to celebrate young people’s energy, imagination and initiatives that recognise their contributions to peace and development in the African continent. During the same summit the Heads of States and governments declared November 1 of each year the African Youth Day and 2008 the year of the African youth. Activities to mark the day were within the framework of the putting in place of the African Youth Charter. On the occasion, the African Union has proposed among other things, conferences, round table discussions, film festivals, debates, picnics and excursions.
Speaking during the occasion, the Minister of Youth affairs, Adoum Garoua, said the celebration of the fourth edition of the African Youth Day reaffirms the preponderant role of youths in the promotion of dialogue, maintenance of social cohesion and the preservation of peace; elements without which development is impossible. Adoum Garoua called on the youths to not to only reflect on their responsibilities as actors of African development, but also to sensitise their peers on the need to be vectors of peace, cohesion, dialogue and mutual understanding. He called on African youths to work continuously for dialogue and mutual understanding. The event was graced by youth dance groups and young Cameroonian poets.
