By Bissong Stephen La’dze
The ALVF Association has concluded a seminar from April 29 to May 1 in Buea, that brought together key stakeholders in peace and security to tackle two pressing challenges: improving coordination among institutions and civil society, and ensuring women’s meaningful participation in decision-making—especially in crisis-affected regions.
During this workshop the project’s communication team collected feedback from participants representing the coordination team, traditional leadership, civil society, institutional actors, and youth.
Key Messages Highlighted…
Participants emphasized that the seminar addressed two major challenges:
-Weak coordination among institutions, community leaders, and civil society actors in peace and security efforts.
-Limited women’s participation in decision-making processes, especially in crisis-affected regions.
How the Project Creates Change…
Through the FPS-AC project, the initiative aims to foster real inclusion by:
-Strengthening the technical capacities of women’s organizations and local actors through trainings,
-Providing financial and strategic support to grassroots initiatives,
-Promoting networking and synergy among peace stakeholders, and
-Encouraging advocacy so women are fully integrated into conflict-management policies and mechanisms.
Strong Involvement of Communities and Institutions..
Traditional leaders noted that the training helped shift perceptions and reinforced the importance of involving women in local conflict resolution. Civil society representatives highlighted practical gains in advocacy, strategic communication, and community mobilization. Meanwhile, an institutional representative pointed to the National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 and stressed the need for stronger coordination and sustainable resources.
Youth as Partners in Peace…
Youth participants underscored their crucial role in awareness-raising and mobilization, supported by modern communication tools and clearer knowledge to take action more effectively.
In line with Resolution 1325 and the seminar’s objectives, all stakeholders reaffirmed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusion—including meaningful participation of women, youth, and all members of society in decision-making spaces.
