U.S. mission promotes student civic education

On December 17, U.S. Embassy Political and Economic Section officer Nancy Schmidt-Jones participated in the inauguration ceremony of the regional office for the “Democracy Incubator (DI) Project” for the Center Region at Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Etoug Ebe.

This Project was funded by the U.S. Government’s Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) and implemented by the nongovernmental organization Community Awareness and Development Association Cameroon (CADAC).

The DI Project is designed to raise awareness of democracy and human rights issues among students in selected secondary schools in the Center, Littoral, Northwest and Southwest Regions by providing education to both students and teachers about their rights and obligations as citizens and how to defend and protect these rights.

The Inaugural Ceremony was largely presented by students of GBHS Etoug Ebe, with the presentation of speeches, a skit and the singing of “We Are the World”. The event was attended by representatives from U.S. Embassy Yaounde, the National Commission of Human Rights and Freedom, Elecam Cameroon, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Executive Director and National Coordinator for CADAC.

Ms. Schmidt-Jones donated 100 books to the institution and said: “The Democracy and Human Rights Fund of the United States Embassy is designed to support just such initiatives. This fund sponsors projects on press freedoms, conflict resolution, women’s and children’s rights, minority rights and election monitoring, among other subjects.

Grants are awarded to local organizations that focus on promoting democracy, human rights, good governance and strengthening civil society in Cameroon. My warmest congratulations to you.”

This Project is a sterling example of the shared goals and important links between the U.S. Government and Cameroonian community-based organizations.