Youths urged to be active citizens

It is without doubt that the growing number of under-age and curious young people who indiscriminately browse the Internet to look for friends quickly fall prey by registering unknowingly with online terrorist groups and sects.

The first consequence is often indecent behaviour, followed by strange occurrences.

In the light of these happenings, the association, “Action for Women's Development, Needy Persons and Young Prisoners,” recently held a working session with some youths in Douala.

The aim was to educate the young men and women on the dangers of behaviour copied from negative movies, TV programmes, radicalism and online registration with groups which at times are armed groups.

The 20 students from Government Bilingual High School, New-Bell, through various lectures by experts from the public and private sectors in Douala, were encouraged to embrace the concept of active citizenship.

A good citizen is one who is responsible, decent and good in behaviour and cares about his future and that of his fellow countrymen, they were told.

At the end of the exercise, the students made a presentation on their understanding of the subject, expectations, fears and proposals for activities to be undertaken to protect the Cameroonian youth who face such risks.

They also made a drawing with a message of peace that was displayed in the Conference Room of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms in Bali, Douala, on Friday, April 10, 2015.