Cameroon launches diaspora youth integration camp

Yaoundé is hosting the inaugural National Integration Camp for Diaspora Youth (CINA-JEDI), a 10-day initiative launched on August 7, 2026, by Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Moumouna Foutsou. The camp unites young Cameroonians from across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, with the core objective of reconnecting them with their homeland and fostering their active participation in national development.

The program is designed with three primary goals. Firstly, it focuses on civic and patriotic education, aiming to instill values of national unity, coexistence, and citizenship. Minister Foutsou highlighted that understanding one's origins, history, and institutions is fundamental for engagement. Participants will engage in modules covering the Constitution, national symbols, and strategies to combat hate speech.

Secondly, the camp facilitates a deep discovery of Cameroon. Participants will embark on journeys across the country, immersing themselves in different regions, meeting local stakeholders, and visiting significant development projects. This immersion seeks to provide the diaspora youth with a firsthand understanding of Cameroon's realities, challenges, and opportunities.

Thirdly, CINA-JEDI aims to actively involve the diaspora in the nation's development. The government views these young individuals not just as tourists but as potential partners. To this end, the camp includes workshops on entrepreneurship, forums with the private sector, and presentations on investment mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to mobilize the skills, networks, and capital of the diaspora to benefit Cameroon. As Minister Foutsou stated, "You are Cameroon outside of Cameroon. Your role is not to watch from afar. Your role is to build with us."

This first edition is intended as a pilot, a laboratory to test the format, gather feedback, and establish a lasting network of young Cameroonian ambassadors abroad. Over the ten days, participants will learn, exchange, and debate, ultimately understanding that geographical distance should not equate to disconnection from their national identity and development efforts.

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You are Cameroon outside of Cameroon. Your role is not to watch from afar. Your role is to build with us.