An expert in strategy, defense, security, conflict and disaster management, Research Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, Mofor Anupiabale Wopimazi, has been appointed as Cameroon’s Youth Ambassador To The Arab/Africa Council For Integration And Development, CNA has gathered.
The appointment took place in Egypt on the occasion of the second annual World Youth Forum early November.
THE WORLD YOUTH FORUM SHARM EL-SHEIKH ‘THE CITY OF PEACE’
REPORT 2018
This report presents the outcomes and summary of the second annual edition of the World Youth Forum hosted under the auspices of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, at the main resort city on the Red Sea, Sharm El-Sheikh ‘‘the city of peace’’ from November 3, 4, 5, and 6, 2018. WYF is platform where youths from states all over the world meet to discuss different topics that occupy the world today and will shape the future. It is open to all youth of all nations between the ages of 18-40 years old. Youth that are influential in their communities and areas of studies are also encouraged to apply as speakers as well. The first edition of the World Youth Forum was launched from Nov. 4-10, 2017 in Sharm El-Sheikh. It was attended by 3,200 participants from 113 countries. The forum was a platform for 222 speakers from 64 countries with expertise in various fields, gathered in 46 sessions.
This year, the agenda of the forum included pre-workshops, discussion panels and round table sessions. The second edition tackled two main axes: Peace and Development. The forum brought together more than 6,000 youths represented by 60 delegations from across the world to explore key issues facing their generation, and determine their role in implementing the global development goals and in facing terrorism.
The first axis discussed reconstructing post-conflict countries and societies, the role of world leaders in achieving peace, the duty of the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and counter-terrorism, and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
The axis of development included topics related to energy and water security, empowerment of people with disabilities, the role of voluntary work in building societies, the agenda of 2063 African Sustainable Development, digital citizenship, the role of art and cinema in shaping communities, ways to build future leaders, and means of shrinking the gender gap in the work force.
An Arab-African Summit Simulation Model (MAAS) was also held on the sidelines of the forum, as was recommended during the African Union Simulation Model held in May 2018 as part of the activation of the 2017 World Youth Forum’s recommendations.
As MAAS Participant effectively representing Cameroon, we had to step into the shoes of Leaders on the African continent and the Arab nations to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. While playing the role as an ambassador, “delegate” I made speech, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model of Arab Africa conference rules of procedure all in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation to resolve problems that affect Cameroon and other countries in the Middle East and Africa.
I elaborated on the challenges and opportunities faced by both regions whether on security, terrorism, irregular migration, and climate change, economic development and trade and how trade between Cameroon and Arab countries have grown by over 70 percent over the years since 2014. I also presented Cameroon invaluable opportunities not only to further pursue trade relations that can transform the lives of the 1.2 billion people but also to redefine the ways Cameroon and other Arab and African Countries could do business for sustainable wealth creation on both sides of the transaction. I also outline some of the measures taken by Cameroon to encourage private investment by putting appropriate legal framework in place. This framework has enable the development of priority high-impact sectors which are: agribusiness; transport infrastructure; energy low-cost housing and urban development; the extractive industry; and new technologies. All these measures bear sufficient testimony to Cameroon’s strong determination to attract more and more productive investments on its soil so as to accelerate economic growth and prosperity for its people.
The embassy of Cameroon t
o Egypt was also present during this forum to guide and direct what the young talented youths from Cameroon were doing. After a close discussion with the ambassador on the challenges Cameroonian youths are facing and on the experience and new ideas we have received during the forum, the ambassador promised to help us implement these new ideas back home for other young Cameroonians to learn. To make this initiative a successful one the ambassador’s first assistant secretory was to coordinate the activities.
Recommendations by the Model of Arab African Summit (MAAS) include
1) The establishment of an Arab-African Fund to support post-conflict peace building and reconstruction.
2) The establishment of an Arab-African Fund for SMEs.
3) Setting a mechanism to fight terrorism.
4) The introduction of the Zoweil-Theiler Prize to be awarded to outstanding researchers from Arab and African countries.
5) The introduction of cyber protection awareness programs in the curricula taught at schools and universities as recommended by participants.
Singularity University granted scholarships for two participants in the forum. One is Egyptian and the other is Nigerian. She also announced that the World Youth Theater will work all year long and not just during the forum.
According to the agenda of the World Youth Forum 2018, on Nov. 1 and 2, the forum witness pre-workshops related to the “agenda 2063: The Africa We Want” and “Empowering Persons with Disabilities: Towards a More Integrated World.” The opening of the World Youth Theater, Nov. 2, while the opening ceremony took place 24 hours later on Saturday, Nov. 3.
The actual discussion sessions started on November 4, where participants discuss a number of issues, including differences among cultures and civilizations, the role of world leaders in building and sustaining peace, the role of soft power in countering ideological extremism and terrorism, and Day Zero: Water security in the wake of climate change.
On November 5, the sessions tackled the role of entrepreneurs and start-ups in global economic growth, rebuilding societies and states after conflicts, narrowing the gender gap in the labor market and humanitarian assistance: A global responsibility in the face of challenges. The forum’s closing session and the announcement of the recommendations of the World Youth Forum 2018 took place on Nov. 6.
The realms of the recommendations included peace, development, and creativity, and were discussed by 141 speakers.
Peace
1) The launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Forum to be hosted annually by rotation among member states.
2) The launch of the Economic Euro-Mediterranean Forum to examine investment opportunities, and the Euro-Mediterranean Model.
Development
1) The organization of Young African Entrepreneurs Forum on the sidelines of the WYF.
2) The launch of One Africa Initiative to be a platform that achieves integration among states importing and exporting raw material, and manufacturing.
3) Boosting the role of volunteering in African countries.
4) Tailoring programs at the National Academy for Youth Training and Rehabilitation to train youth on volunteer work in different fields locally, regionally, and internationally.
Creativity
1) The creation of a research committee to study social media impact, and set a strategy to achieve maximum benefit, minimize negative effects, and protect children from cyberbullying.
2) The foundation of the National Council for Entrepreneurship.
3) Offering training programs for young entrepreneurs in different fields by the National Academy for Youth Training and Rehabilitation.
About Mofor Anupiabale Wopimazi
Child Protection Social Worker, International Medical Corps (IMC).
Cameroon Youth Ambassador, Arab Africa Council for Integration and Development,
Cameroon Delegate Model Arab Africa Summit, Egypt, Sharm El-Sheikh,
Masters in Strategy, Defense, Security, Conflict and Disaster Management, Research Centre for Political and Strategic Studies (CREPS), University of Yaoundé II
Bachelor’s degree in Law, University of Yaoundé II
