The upcoming 46^th National Youth Day will be marked by a National Youth Forum. Cameroonian youths nationwide will celebrate the 46^th National Youth Day on February 11, 2012. With the theme, “Youths and participation in major accomplishments for an emerging Cameroon,” the event will involve four key activities amongst which will be the official launch on 3^rd and 4^th February in Bertoua, headquarter of the East Region. A major innovation will be the organisation of a National Youth Forum from February 6 to 8, 2012 in Yaounde on the theme: “The socio-economic and professional integration of the youths: Challenges and prospects.”

Speaking to pressmen during a press briefing held yesterday February 1 in Yaounde, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Dr Bidoung Mkpatt explained that the National Youth Forum will hold on the 6, 7 and 8 February at the Yaounde Conference Centre. Expected to draw over 1,500 participants including youths and stakeholders, the Youth Forum is intended to, amongst others, mobilise youths on the stakes of national development and the construction of an emerging Cameroon.

To that effect, it will be a platform for youths to capitalise on employment opportunities, ensure they are proactive and creative in growth-inducing sectors of the national economy and curb clandestine emigration. “We will equally have as other activities, an exhibition organised for beneficiaries of government-funded programmes and projects as well as a visit to the Entreprise Creation Formalities Centre,” said Minister Bidoung Mkpatt before assuring the pressmen that all preparations for the 46^th National Youth Day had been completed.