Social Cohesion, Peace, Security, Community Resilience and Well-being

Overview

Strengthen social cohesion, peace, and community resilience by empowering youth leadership structures to promote prevention, constructive dialogue, and youth well-being in communities.

Context & rationale

Peace and security are prerequisites for national stability and sustainable development. Yet, youth communities can face multiple vulnerabilities: exposure to manipulation, social tensions, insecurity, divisive narratives, and pressures that affect mental and social well-being.

Axis 5 reinforces the idea that youth are not only beneficiaries of peace and security policies, but also active contributors to prevention and resilience. Through youth leaders and coordinators, communities can promote dialogue, reduce tensions, and encourage safer behaviors.

This axis highlights practical approaches to strengthening resilience and well-being, encouraging youth structures to support positive community engagement, conflict prevention, and social solidarity.

Strategic importance

Social cohesion reduces the risk of conflict, improves trust among communities, and supports the effectiveness of national policies. When youth leaders coordinate resilience and prevention actions, they help protect communities from instability and strengthen the relationship between youth and institutions.

Axis 5 is also aligned with the broader youth peace and security agenda, as it emphasizes prevention, community dialogue, responsible citizenship, and well-being as pillars of stability.

Key focus areas

• Cohesion and inclusion: unity, tolerance and community solidarity
• Prevention: reducing risk factors and tensions before escalation
• Dialogue: mediation culture, community listening and peaceful engagement
• Resilience: ability to adapt and respond to pressures and shocks
• Well-being: supportive youth environments and healthy community participation
• Community safety: awareness and responsible behaviors
• Youth leadership role: leaders/coordinators as mobilizers for peace and cohesion

Scope

• Promotion of social cohesion and unity through inclusive youth engagement
• Conflict prevention and constructive dialogue within communities
• Youth resilience actions that reduce vulnerability to manipulation and risky behaviors
• Community safety awareness and youth participation in prevention culture
• Well-being promotion: supportive youth networks and positive community action
• Early warning mindset: identifying tensions and promoting peaceful resolution
• Strengthening solidarity and community service to reinforce cohesion

Target groups

• Youth leaders
• Youth coordinators

Stakeholders

• CNYC (National Youth Council)
• MINJEC (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education)
• CONEP
• Cameroonian youth

Expected outcomes

• Stronger awareness among youth leaders and coordinators on cohesion, peace and resilience approaches
• Improved capacity to promote constructive dialogue and prevention actions within youth networks
• Increased youth engagement in community-focused activities that support cohesion (general outcome)
• Greater focus on youth well-being and supportive peer environments (general outcome)
• Enhanced collaboration and alignment around community stability priorities (general outcome)

Indicators of success

• Participation and engagement in Axis 5 sessions
• Participant feedback on practicality and relevance of prevention and resilience tools shared
• Evidence of youth-led community actions promoting cohesion and dialogue (if documented)
• Reported improvement in dialogue and prevention practices within youth structures (if documented)

Example activities

• Session: social cohesion and unity—why it matters and how youth can contribute
• Workshop: community dialogue techniques (listening, mediation basics, de-escalation)
• Clinic: resilience actions for youth networks (peer support, community service)
• Session: youth well-being and positive community participation
• Community action planning: small initiatives to strengthen cohesion and prevention

Call to action

Build safer communities: promote unity, encourage dialogue, support youth well-being, and lead practical resilience actions that strengthen peace and stability.

Axis summary

Axis 5 focuses on social cohesion, peace, security, resilience and youth well-being—supporting prevention and constructive dialogue in communities.