Buea: Organisations launch field guide to empower stakeholders in peacebuilding.

Participants in a group picture after the launching workshop

Stakeholders in peace peacebuilding and social cohesion in the North West and South West regions have been encouraged to embrace the improbable dialogue initiative as a strategy to promote peace and social cohesion in their society.

This was the major recommendation made by officials from the Local Youth Corner Cameroon, LOYOC, and Swiss Peace.



They were speaking during the launch of a field guide for fostering improbable dialogue in the North West and South West regions. The launch took place Wednesday October 9, in Buea.

The launching ceremony brought together key stakeholders from the government, civil society, academia and private sector, involved in peace building in the two regions. 

It was an opportunity for the two organisations to present the manual to stakeholders while displaying its relevance and efficiency in promoting peace in crisis-affected communities.

It featured engaging presentations, workshops and panel discussions featuring on peacebuilding strategies from experts, practitioners, and community leaders. 

The manual, titled: "Improbable Dialogue Field Guide", is a comprehensive toolkit for individuals and organisations seeking to engage in conversations around difficult and potentially controversial issues with the hope of resolving conflicts.

Presenting the document to stakeholders, the National Programme Manager at LOYOC, Atefor Jude, said it was the culmination of extensive research and collaboration with experts in peace building, conflict resolution, and community engagement. 

The guide thus provides practical strategies, exercises, and case studies to help participants navigate complex issues, foster empathy, and build bridges of understanding. 

The Executive Director of LOYOC, Achaleke Christian, on his part said the field guide was a crucial step towards creating a more peaceful and inclusive society. 

"We believe that improbable dialogues, even when challenging, can unlock sustainable solutions and lead to lasting change,” he said.

He added that: “This guide will empower individuals and organisations to engage in meaningful dialogue, even when differences seem challenging”.

Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Atefor Jude said the goal of LOYOC was to bring young people from different occupations who are unlikely to meet to discuss pertinent issues around peacebuilding in their communities.

The document, he said, would guide people who want to organise improbable dialogue “because it lays out the fundamentals for an improbable dialogue. It is different from the traditional dialogue process because it brings people from diverse backgrounds like bike riders, civil society, politicians, civil administration etc”.

On her part, a participant, Samiratu Hamadu, said the document was not only informational but a pedagogic community base dialogue guide that can contribute to peacebuilding. 

The field guide is amazing because it is not like the former document. It is very informal and it fit to the local realities of our community and many exercises. They get to learn many lessons through exercises,” she added.

 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3256 of Friday October 11, 2024

 

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