Recommendations of the National Youth Forum
To sectoral administrations, and specifically to the Ministry in charge of Youth
Participants recommended that administrations:
-
Finalize activity proposals with corresponding budgets and integrate them into their Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF) and Annual Work Plans (AWP) to enable the production and implementation of the Youth Plan in 2026.
-
Submit to the Very High Authority a draft law on the National Youth Policy, including:
-
Adoption of a National Youth Charter
-
Establishment of youth quotas in decision-making bodies
-
-
Operationalize the Interministerial Steering Committee and the Permanent Technical Secretariat to ensure effective coordination and coherence of the Youth Plan 2026–2030.
To the youth and their organizations
Young people and youth structures were called upon to:
-
Ensure wide dissemination of the Forum’s resolutions and the opportunities offered by the National Youth Policy 2025–2035 and its Operational Plan 2026–2030, both in communities and on digital platforms.
-
Actively engage in structured dialogue platforms with the State to influence public policies from their design stage.
-
Serve as community mediators in implementing the Youth, Peace and Security National Action Plan (PAN-JPS) by preventing conflicts and combating hate speech and misinformation in communities and online spaces.
Three Days, One Goal
After three days of intensive work, the Forum successfully established a national, inclusive, and strategic consultation framework designed to provide coordinated, sustainable, and multisectoral responses to the current and future challenges facing Cameroonian youth.
This effort contributes directly to achieving the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (SND30)and aligns with the high vision of Paul Biya, who has placed youth and women at the heart of his national agenda.
Presentation of the Forum Report
The general report was presented by Abdoullah Mahamat Allamine, Head of the Monitoring Unit and Technical Secretariat.
Key highlights:
-
The Forum opened with a pre-forum that aligned MINJEC officials and youth leaders through six thematic panels.
-
The main Forum unfolded through eight thematic panels, co-moderated by senior officials from public administrations, the private sector, and development partners.
-
The Forum strengthened understanding of national youth priorities and reaffirmed youth as a strategic lever for national development.
Forum Resolutions
Presented by Terrestra NANG, Regional Delegate of Youth and Civic Education for the Littoral Region.
Addressed to youth
-
Ensure implementation and dissemination of the National Youth Policy and its operational plan within their communities.
-
Seize opportunities offered through youth-focused national programs and initiatives.
Addressed to public administrations
-
Advance a draft law on the National Youth Plan, with attention to gender inclusion.
-
Guarantee stable and sustainable funding for the Youth Plan.
-
Strengthen public-private partnerships to improve youth employability.
-
Institutionalize a biannual management dialogue between MINJEC, the private sector, and youth organizations.
Civic Awards
The most civic-minded delegations were recognized:
🥇 1st – South-West Region
🥈 2nd – East Region
🥉 3rd – North-West Region
A Foundational Moment
The Forum stands as a founding act of participatory governance and renewed State–Youth dialogue throughout the presidential term. It mobilizes youth energy, restores institutional trust, and lays the foundation for a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Cameroon.
Motion of Thanks and Deference
Read in both official languages by youth representatives, the motion expressed gratitude for:
-
Adoption of the National Youth Policy and its Operational Plan
-
Implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Action Plan
-
Expansion of youth guidance and socio-economic integration mechanisms
Closing Address by the Minister
In his final remarks, Mounouna Foutsou, Minister of Youth and Civic Education, described the Forum as:
“Three days of intellectual intensity and patriotic fervor.”
He highlighted three major achievements:
1. A Pact of Responsibility
Youth are not a problem — they are a force and catalyst for development.
2. Pathways to Empowerment
Mechanisms, funding opportunities, and support systems already exist — the priority now is awareness and access.
3. A Coalition Built
Through strong participation of partners, the State now works alongside a broad alliance to address youth challenges.
He encouraged young people to transform resolutions into action within communities nationwide.
A Final Gesture of Recognition
To further promote civic spirit, the Minister asked:
“Who should be rewarded — the youth or the supervisors?”
The answer: the youth.
The most civic-minded young participants received a special award of 5 million FCFA.
