Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

Members of the national steering committee gathered on Monday, 14th of October 2024, to review achievements and challenges of the project implemented in the Far-North region of Cameroon. As the project dubbed Refugee Education and Development (READ) enters phase III in 2025, members of the national steering committee met on October 14, 2024, at the head office of Plan International Cameroon in Bastos, Yaounde, to review strides recorded during the second phase of implementation. This annual gathering of members of the National Steering Committee (NSC), which henceforth appears crucial for the project, is out to help dissect the challenges encountered by organizations on the ground and highlight key successes registered throughout the year. Impact of the project The over 14 Million Canadian dollars’ project funded by Global Affairs Canadian has as main objective, to enhance equitable and inclusive learning outcomes for vulnerable refugees, internally displaced people(IDPs), returnees, and host community children and youth, particularly girls, living in fragile conflict settings in Cameroon and Niger. In his keynote address, Country Director of Plan International Cameroon, Mohamed Bah outlined the relevance of this session that brings together different stakeholders notably government officials from different ministerial departments. To him, the holding of a session of members of the NSC is geared towards giving a fresh impetus to activities taking place on the field. “The READ project focuses on the field of education and primarily basic education, which makes the Ministry of Basic Education (MINEDUB) its main institutional partner. Moreover, in practice, it is an integrated approach that will bring together other expertise in the areas of protection, gender, entrepreneurship, the environment, livelihood durability, etc., and which will draw their consistency from the nature of the activities that will be proposed by the target groups. We also plan to support the beneficiary groups in better structuring and networking so that they can have the chance to access better financing during and/or after the closure of the project. We will combine this with consistent advocacy actions with state and private institutions so that members who have demonstrated proven potential can benefit from better opportunities for access to resources.” The patron of Plan International Cameroon also praised the collaboration put in place between his organization and partners who monitor this project on the ground such as Public Concern, ALVF Far-North region, and other refugee-led associations. He said: “The READ project will have a direct impact on 39,859 children and young people, including 20,727 girls (52%) and 19,132 boys (48%), living in fragile environments in the Far North regions of Cameroon and Diffa in Niger. As a reminder, in Cameroon, this project takes place in twenty-five sites based in seven councils which are: Fotokol, Makary, Mora, Kolofata, Mokolo, Koza, and Mayo-Moskota.” National Steering Committee chair, Mrs. Elobo Ambassa Lisette Catherine, Head of the Planning, Projects, and Cooperation division in the Ministry of Basic Education, and representative of the government stated some key figures to give a vivid description of the humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of people in these parts of the country. “In Cameroon, more than 2.4 million people are in a crisis or emergency phase of food insecurity and more than 933,000 people are internally displaced in 2022. To date, the Minawao refugee camp alone has more than 78,000 people. More than 46,817 refugees living outside the camp have also been identified by various humanitarian actors intervening in the area. These refugees are mainly Nigerian populations, mainly women and children, fleeing the atrocities of war. In addition, more than 800,000 girls, boys, and adolescents do not have access to formal and informal education and are exposed to protection risks. (Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), 2021). Between 2015 and 2019, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attacks (GCPEA) documented more than 11,000 attacks on education or military use of educational institutions worldwide, and 22,000 students, teachers, and education staff were deliberately targeted and injured. (GCPEA, 2020).” She said. Moreover, Mrs. Elobo deplored the current situation that fragilizes the education of several young girls and boys, and whose dreams have been shattered due to the crisis. According to the representative of the government, the READ project is a positive response to the learning crisis and an important support to vulnerable groups. Speaking to media practitioners, Political Counsellor of Global Affairs Canada, Richard Le Bars said the project is of prime importance to the government of Canada which has set up its policies around thematic issues like education. He said the numerous challenges outlined by members of the national steering committee in the course of the session will be examined and addressed. As indicated by Richard Le Bars, it is unfortunate to observe that the funds disbursed by the project are insufficient to address the huge needs of the different targets on the field, yet he appreciated the moves of the national steering committee made up of experts. Mr. Le Bars went further by pointing out the extension of the project to 2028, showing how concerned the government of Canada, as a sister country to Cameroon, intends to play a pivotal role in curbing the education crisis in the Far-North-affected region. During the one-day meeting, it was disclosed that phase II of this project has been rated at 78% execution on the field despite some hindrances encountered at the start of the project. To conclude the conclave, some key recommendations were made by members of the NSC. They agreed to reinforce collaboration with key partners such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR); undertake field visits to the project implementation areas to make an appraisal of actions carried so far and hold the next NSC meeting in Maroua, regional headquarters of the Far-North. About the project READ The Refugee Education and Development project(READ) launched on July 22, 2022, by Plan International, aims at enhancing equitable and inclusive learning outcomes for vulnerable refugees, internally displaced people(IDPs), returnees, and host community children and youth, particularly girls, living in fragile conflict settings in Cameroon and Niger. The four-year project

New York, USA September 23, 2024 — African leaders, the African Union, and Global development partners gathered in New York at the UN General Assembly to showcase the transformational impact of prioritizing foundational learning on the African continent. The World Bank estimates that the learning crisis will result in $21 trillion of lost productivity globally if urgent action is not taken. However, if addressed, ensuring that our children are learning can add $6.5 trillion of additional global value by 2030. The crisis is most acute, and the opportunity is greatest, in Africa, where nine out of ten children cannot read with understanding or do basic math by the age of ten.  Opening the African Union and Global Partnership for Education Presidential meeting in New York, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat acknowledged the need for a long-term focus on education, calling for an annual education convening at the AU Mission during the United Nations General Assembly meetings. He said: “We must acknowledge that the formulation of annual themes is not enough, the journey is long and we need longer-term, innovative, and bold responses. We have unacceptable levels of education poverty at a time when more than 80% of our workforce in twenty years will be youth.”   Delivering a keynote speech, H.E. Prof Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) at the African Union reinforced the need for bold investments and called for an international effort to support Africa’s children and deliver global returns. Prof Mohammed Belhocine said: “Foundational learning is an enabler for Africa’s long-term development and the key to unlocking the potential of millions of African children who will be the change-makers of tomorrow.  9 out of 10 children in Africa cannot read or do basic math by the age of ten. This learning poverty undermines our collective efforts to achieve our Agenda 2063.  The AU is committed to making foundational learning a key part of our agenda beyond 2024 and to tracking progress, providing support where needed, and continuing to advocate for comprehensive reforms.” H.E. President Hakainde Hichelima of Zambia, an Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) continental champion for Foundational Learning said: “In 2050, at least one-third of all young people aged 15 to 24 years old will be born in Africa. At present, four in five children are unable to read and understand simple text by the age of ten. This is unacceptable and we must urgently prioritize investments in education. These skills are the building blocks for every child’s academic and other forms of success. Collectively, we must set clear milestones beyond the 2024 year of education and ensure that no child in Africa is left behind.” Former President of Malawi, H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda said: “A continental crisis requires a continental response. We need more Heads of State to become champions for Foundational Learning. We need accountability mechanisms, and a robust peer review process will help us hold ourselves accountable for the promises we make to our children. This is not just about education. Every goal we have set is dependent on achieving strong foundational learning. The prosperity we dream of will be built from the classroom, with a child learning to read and count. Let us commit today to make that dream a reality and unlock the potential of our continent.” Former President of Tanzania and Chair of the Global Partnership for Education H.E. Jakaya Kikwete said: “We are the world’s youngest and fastest growing continent. By 2050 one in every four people will be an African. Our workforce will be bigger than China. We must equip them. If we fail to act we risk further disenfranchising them.  A 1% improvement in learning outcomes can translate into a 7.2% improvement in economic growth. To unlock this potential we need focused investments. A relentless focus on learning, proper support for our educators, and strong partnerships.” Moderating a panel of African Ministers of education implementing African-owned solutions to enhance learning outcomes, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Founder of Human Capital Africa asked Ministers to highlight the two most critical investments required to deliver results: “It’s clear from your contributions that African Ministers want innovative, evidence-based and targeted financing alongside the better and more effective and efficient use of existing resources. They are clear that this will enable the teacher training, support, and deployment required to help children learn, using proven and efficient pedagogical approaches that work at scale while ensuring we generate and utilize data to inform the pathway to better learning outcomes and enabling accountability at all levels.” Speakers and leaders at the events in New York built on previous calls made by Human Capital Africa, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) at the February AU Summit, and former African Presidents at the AU Mid-Year Summit in Accra in July 2024. These calls urge Heads of Government, through the African Union, to take the following decisive steps to address the learning crisis.  Declare that it is unacceptable that nine (9) out of ten (10) of our children are unable to read with understanding and do basic math by age 10. Acknowledge that the delivery of Agenda 2063 and its social, economic, and developmental objectives is deeply connected with learning outcomes. Recognize the transformative impact that foundational learning can have on continental productivity, empowering millions and driving economic growth. Collectively commit to all children reading with comprehension and doing basic mathematics by the age of ten by 2030. Take action to urgently implement cost-effective evidence-based solutions that can accelerate learning outcomes and be delivered within existing budget resources.  Expand the active use of available tools that allow countries to measure learning outcomes early, consistently, and comparatively. Build a continental mechanism that allows countries, development partners, and citizens to hold each other accountable for learning outcomes and peer review progress. Press Release from Human Capital Africa

Une rencontre régionale de plaidoyer s’est tenue le mardi, 17 septembre 2024 à Yaoundé, dans les services du Gouverneur de la région du Centre. Madame veuve Eyebe Angeline, âgée de 70 ans est à ce jour bénéficiaire d’une formation sur les droits fonciers, initiée par l’association Horizons Femmes depuis Mars 2023. Cette septuagénaire qui, après le décès de son époux, a vu son terrain être arraché par sa belle-famille, a subi des menaces de mort ainsi que des violences de tout genre. Elle a été parmi la cohorte des femmes et veuves qui ont bénéficié dans la région du Centre, précisément dans le département de la Lekié, de la formation intitulée : « Femme à l’école du foncier ». Dame Eyebe, qui a fait recours aux administrations compétentes notamment le Préfet et les instances juridictionnelles du département de la Lekié, a eu gain de cause après plusieurs démarches car ne sachant plus à quel saint se voué. Cette maman veuve qui a retrouvé le sourire, a fait son témoignage au cours de la rencontre régionale de plaidoyer organisée le Mardi 17 septembre 2024 dans les services du Gouverneur de la région du Centre. Lutte contre la Marginalisation des femmes dans le foncier Cette rencontre de plaidoyer a été organisée dans le cadre du projet dénommé : « Mobilisation communautaire et plaidoyer pour la sauvegarde des droits fonciers des femmes et veuves dans les régions de l’Ouest, du Centre et du Littoral au Cameroun ». L’initiative est de l’association à base communautaire, Horizons Femmes, qui bénéficie de l’appui technique et financier de son partenaire « African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) ». La Présidente Exécutive de l’association, Horizons Femmes dans son mot liminaire a indiqué les contours de ce projet qui entre dans sa seconde phase au Cameroun. Madame Ngatchou Denise s’est appesantie sur le rôle crucial que jouent les femmes dans l’aménagement de la terre bien que celles-ci sont souvent marginalisées et mises en retrait dans nos sociétés africaines. Elle a indiqué que ce programme mis en œuvre en 2023 a jusqu’ici permis d’établir un cadre de collaboration entre Horizons Femmes et les Gouverneurs des régions ciblées, c’est-à-dire ceux de l’Ouest, du Centre et du Littoral ainsi que les leaders traditionnels qui sont des acteurs clés pour des résultats positifs. Elle a aussi mentionné le fait que, grâce à ce projet qui poursuit son bonhomme de chemin, plus de 100 femmes/veuves ont pu obtenir leurs titres fonciers. Ces dernières ont été outillées sur les procédures à suivre pour récupérer leurs terres. Denise Ngatchou dit : « Chaque femme doit pouvoir avoir le courage de s’engager dans le processus d’obtention de son titre foncier. Ne pas avoir peur de s’engager, demander l’appui des autorités compétentes pour acquérir ce qui l’est ai dû… » Madame Ngatchou, a saisi l’opportunité de cette rencontre régionale pour inviter les différentes autorités et les magistrats à soutenir ces femmes et les couches vulnérables en général. Le Gouverneur de la région du Centre, Naseri Paul Bea, le Préfet du département de la Lekié, Simou Kamseu, les représentants du Conseil Régional, les Sous-Préfets d’arrondissements, les Délégués régionaux et départementaux, les chefs traditionnels, des leaders de la société civile et les médias, ont répondu présents à cette réunion qui a duré plus de deux heures de temps. Naseri Paul Bea, patron de la région qui a présidé les travaux a tenu à relever l’importance de cette rencontre qui met en vitrine un problème fondamental, celui de la terre, qui déchire plusieurs cellules familiales. Il a réitéré son soutien à Horizons Femmes, qui via ce programme de formation sauve plusieurs femmes marginalisées. Et qui est aujourd’hui une solution à de nombreux maux dans les communautés. Dans ses propos, le Gouverneur de la région du centre, Naseri Paul Bea a appelé les autorités publiques, les chefs traditionnels et les hommes à une meilleure prise en compte des problèmes fonciers. Il a indiqué que les hommes doivent faire leurs testaments à temps afin d’éviter les luttes qui surgissent après leurs décès. Pour clore ses propos, il a souligné le fait que le foncier n’est point une affaire d’hommes uniquement. Les femmes tout comme les hommes ont leur mot à dire. Des Femmes capacitées et sensibilisées Au cours de ladite rencontre, quelques points cruciaux qui encadrent cette activité ont été soulignés par Carole Toche, Cheffe de projet par ailleurs Directrice des Programmes à Horizons Femmes. Carole Toche a relevé le fait que des avancées notables ont été capitalisées dans le cadre de ce projet qui bien que couvre trois régions, ambitionne s’étendre dans les dix régions du Cameroun. Au-delà de l’organisation des rencontres communautaires en direction des chefs traditionnels pour le règlement des litiges fonciers en faveur des femmes et veuves abusées, il ya eu des appuis techniques et financiers fournis aux femmes. La cheffe de projet et Directrice des Programmes a également fait mention du fait que ces différentes rencontres de sensibilisations ont été parsemées d’embuches. Les équipes de l’association Horizons Femmes ont fait face à de nombreux défis, que sont : les barrières culturelles et traditionnelles ; les inégalités socio-économiques ; le soutien institutionnel qui est décrit comme insuffisant sur le terrain et le fait qu’il y’ait un accès limité à l’information. Les travaux qui ont été présidés par la suite par Simon Ghislain Etsil, Secrétaire Général des services du Gouverneur, ont permis aux différentes parties prenantes d’élaborer une série de recommandations. Il a été recommandé entre autres : la tenue d’un forum national ; l’intensification de la communication dans les médias notamment en langues locales dans les radios communautaires dans le but de sensibiliser les masses, et la nécessité d’instaurer des cellules d’écoute dans des zones rurales. A propos du projet Le projet « Mobilisation communautaire et plaidoyer pour la sauvegarde des droits fonciers des femmes et veuves dans les régions de l’Ouest, du Centre et du Littoral au Cameroun », est une initiative visant à favoriser la jouissance des droits économiques par les femmes au Cameroun. Ce projet est mené dans trois régions du pays, choisies pour les spécificités tant de l’organisation sociale en vigueur dans les