Yaounde: Gov’t’s commitment to long-term governance, wellbeing of future generations discussed .

She was accompanied by the Coordinator of the University of Cologne’s Hub for Planetary Wellbeing within the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Nsah - popularly known as Dr. Nsah Mala - who doubles as a Next Generation Foresight Practitioner Fellow at SOIF. 

On the sidelines of a two-day Pre-Summit of the Future National Consultation at the Ministry of External Relations, MINREX, the two international experts held working visits with Cameroonian authorities and other stakeholders. 

On September 11, 2024, they first met with a network of Cameroonian civil society organisations, led by Ateki Seta Caxton, Executive Director of Network for Solidarity Empowerment and Transformation for All, NEWSETA. Shortly after the meeting, the delegation met with some Members of Parliament and Senators, led by Hon. Andrew Kwei. 

They explored how to embed long-term governance and the wellbeing of future generations into legislative policy-making, drawing inspiration from successful examples in places like Wales in the UK, Finland, and Kenya. 

The MPs and Senators promised to set up a Parliamentary Caucus on Future Generations and Sustainability in Cameroon. 

The next step after the parliamentary meeting was the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, MINJEC, where Minister Mounouna Fotsou received the delegation, pledging government’s support for their initiatives on youth and future generations. 

This significant endorsement from MINJEC solidified Cameroon's commitment to foresight, future generations, youth, and sustainable development. Minister Mounouna Fotsou was very optimistic about facilitating nationwide youth empowerment initiatives and foresight programmes.

The British High Commission joined the discussions later in the day, exploring ways in which diplomatic missions can bolster youth empowerment initiatives, sustainable development, and the wellbeing of future generations, as international expertise devises means to work with Cameroon in these domains. 

On its part, the Canadian High Commission joined the discussions in the morning of Friday September 13.

Meanwhile, still on September 11, after the British High Commission, the delegation met with Mohamed Ibrahima Bah, Country Director for Plan International Cameroon, to discuss youth-led initiatives, especially those in favour of young girls. 

The Vice President of the North West Regional Assembly, Fon Yakum Kevin, who doubles as President of the North West House of Chiefs, met with the delegation in the presence of other traditional rulers - notably Fons Gilbert Njong III, Wilson Ayo, and Yangsi Mbah - who showed up for the event. 

Their discussions focused on integrating future generations and foresight into regional and traditional governance structures. This grassroots engagement signaled a critical step towards nationwide sustainability. 

The high-level delegation also shared their expertise in a National Consultation at the Ministry of External Relations from September 12-13, aimed at preparing Cameroon’s position ahead of the UN Summit of the Future and strategies for implementing the outcomes of the Summit. 

Thereafter, Cat Tully and Dr Nsah Mala left for New York, where they took part at the UN Summit of the Future, especially in a BRIDGES-led event aimed at mobilising outcomes of the Summit (September 21), and two SOIF events viz. Building Hopeful Futures Festival (September 19) and launching a SOIF Handbook for Implementing the Declaration on Future Generations (September 22).  

It should be noted that Cameroon presided over the UN Summit of the Future in New York from September 20-23 through Ambassador Philemon Yang as the President of the 79th General Assembly. Cameroon strongly supported and voted for the Pact of the Future and its annexes on future generations and technological regulation. 

In this unique context, Cameroon's proactive stance on long-term governance, future generations, and sustainable development serves as a model for regional, continental and international cooperation. Now is the implementation phase of the Summit outcomes and Cameroon is expected to continue to play a key role accompanied by such international experts.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3253 of Tuesday October 08, 2024