Education for Peacebuilding among Youths in the Buea Municipality: The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations from 2015 to 2018 by DIM EBENYE KARINE
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While there have been many studies on the role and impact of NGOs both in Cameroon and in other post-conflict zones,[1] there has been limited research and data on the role of NGO, in educating the youths on issues of peacebuilding in Cameroon and the Buea municipality in particular.
This has made it impossible for a global appreciation of the efforts of such organizations to be established. Because of this, research organizations and students find it difficult to obtain data on such issues. There is therefore an urgent need for research to be carried out in this domain which will ascertain the existence of NGOs and peacebuilding in Buea, their activities, their challenges and prospects.
The current Anglophone crisis has put Buea (as Regional capital of South West Region) in a very strategic position and the youths living in the area are at the forefront of the crisis either as perpetrators of conflict or solution providers. This makes the need for youth education and peacebuilding to be the active participation of not only the government but the civil society organizations in general. It is therefore worthwhile for research in this domain to be initiated.
Objectives of the study
The following objectives for this study have been established.
General objectives
The main objective of this study is to examine the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the education of youths in peacebuilding in the Buea municipality so as to ascertain their existence, activities, challenges and prospects.
Specific objectives
The study hopes to:
- Identify NGO’s involved in peacebuilding in the Buea municipality
- Discuss their contribution in the education of youths towards peacebuilding.
- To examine the impact of their involvement in peacebuilding education for youths.
- Examine the challenges and prospects of such organizations in the field of peace education.
Research Questions
General Research Question
What role do Non-Governmental Organizations play in the education of youths in peacebuilding in the Buea Municipality?
Specific Research Questions
The study seeks to answer the following questions
- What are the contributions of NGOs in the education of youths towards peacebuilding in the Buea Municipality?
- What is the impact of their involvement in peacebuilding education for youths?
- What are the challenges and prospects of these NGOs?
Significance of the study
The world is facing threats to peace at almost every angle and the youths are directly involved in the propagation of such threats. A study such as this one on the role of NGOs in educating youths on peacebuilding is significant to the youths of Buea in particular and the country at large; to the NGOs and their founders; to the government of Cameroon (local and national) and to the local community in particular.
To NGOs, the findings presented in the study has helped them to understand better the contributions they have made to peacebuilding in the area of study. It has informed them of their challenges and made suggestions which if they adopt, may help in improving their work.
The study further shows that the civil society has the ability to contribute to peacebuilding and facilitate the conditions necessary for building a sustainable peace, consequently improving on the prevalence of peace in the community.
The study further highlights the distance that NGOs have covered as development actors in the Buea municipality and in Cameroon at large.
The recommendations to NGOs if applied may lead to their better performance in the field of peace education whose final beneficiaries are the youths. The recommendations advocate that NGOs should teach the youths issues of social cohesion and conflict prevention to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, conducive for better youth action and life. Such an education is intended to contribute to a better society.
Furthermore, the study is particularly important to the population of the Buea Municipality as it expresses to the population the activities of NGOs in promoting peace in their locality and how they can benefit and participate in the activities of NGOs through their involvement with these organizations, consequently promoting peace and improving on their standards of living. It is also with the understanding that an effectively educated youth population on peacebuilding will contribute significantly to a conducive municipality where everyone would be able to go about their duties without fear.
To the government of Cameroon, the study makes recommendations which may be useful for state policy building. The problems of NGOs which the study highlights would enable the government to provide better assistance for NGOs which would in turn guarantee their better functioning.
The study is also of scientific relevance as it contributes to knowledge by adding up to existing literature for further research in the field of peace education as very few empirical studies have been undertaken in this area.
It is also an opportunity for the researcher to put into practice research methodology skills acquired in the course of her training.
Download the full thesis through the following link: Education for Peacebuilding among Youths in the Buea Municipality The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations from 2015 to 2018 by DIM EBENYE KARINE
[1] Viktoria Potapkina. The Role of International Humanitarian NGOs in African Conflicts in the Post-Cold War Period. 2009
The Role of Civil Society in Peacebuilding: Lessons from the Tegla Lorupe Peace Foundation. Harriet Jepchumbakidombo (PhD).
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
