The 2nd edition of the International Exhibition of Volunteering and Solidarity Fair has come to a close in Yaounde. The closing ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou.
It took place on October 8, 2022 at the Yaoundé Sports Palace, organized by France Volontaire under the patronage of the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education with the theme "new ambitions of volunteering".
Note be taken that the 2nd edition of the International Volunteering and Solidarity Fair, Yaoundé-Cameroon 2022 was aimed at reviewing the strategic axes of development from voluntary commitment on the organization and promotion of volunteering in Cameroon.
By mobilizing actors concerned around reflections likely to mark appropriate possibilities for volunteering to the multiple development challenges that concern not only the Cameroon, but also Africa and beyond. It was a question of federating the national and international actors in an exchange for voluntary work.
For over three days, Yaoundé was the center of interest for volunteering issues, serving as a framework for reflection and sharing of experiences.
Beyond the exchanges, the show was the expression of a real desire to formulate proposals or new solutions which seem to have animated all the protagonists throughout this meeting.
"This is an opportunity for me to note that on the sidelines of the challenges and opportunities that volunteering has raised with various public and private, national and international organizations, individuals, are one of the merits of the Yaoundé Fair", Minister Mounouna Foutsou.
It was an institutional and technical support for Cameroon, which in the long term, will be able to improve policies and further refine its strategies in terms of volunteering or voluntary services.
It is therefore not only for Cameroon, but also for Africa and to a large extent, the rest of the world, to be able to capitalize on the achievements of this rich experience, in order to stimulate a new dynamic in this sector of activity.
Thomas COSSÉ, Director of the International Division of France Volontaires, was delighted with the good performance of this Show.
“I think it is appropriate to salute the partnership in which this seminar is part. Partnership is an absolutely central element in the development of volunteering and I would like, on behalf of France Volontaires, to sincerely thank the Minister for having accepted to honor us with his high patronage".
"I would also like to thank the French Embassy for its support in organizing this event. To all actors of the Cameroonian civil society of the French civil society who mobilized during these three days to work together on the redefinition of the recommendations, to nourish the construction of a new ambition for volunteering between Cameroon and France".
It is expected that the fair will not just go a long way to boost the economy of the country but also encourage, volunteering amongst youths and voluntary services across the globe, with partners and actors involved.
Communication Unit, MINJEC