Over 20,000 visitors expected at int'l exhibition

Holding in Yaounde from August 9-13, 2016, it is organised by a local association, ACADER, under the patronage of MINJEC.

Preparations are in high gear for the forthcoming Second International Youth Exhibition holding at the Yaounde Conference Centre from August 9-13, 2016.

Over 20,000 young people from Cameroon and abroad are expected at the five-day gathering. The exhibition is under the patronage of the Cameroon National Youth Council and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education.

With theme, “Youth: Wealth Creation And Environmental Protection,” the event is organised by the “Association camerounais pour le développement rural,” ACADER.

At a press conference in Yaounde on May 31, 2016, organisers said the exhibition was in response to President Paul Biya’s call to youth to be more daring in taking self-help steps.

Fidele Djebba, a consultant for the conference, noted that it comes at a time of growing extremism in some parts of the world; with young girls used as suicide bombers.

Marien Ngosso, Director of the Second International Youth Exhibition and ACADER President, admitted that last year’s conference had some lapses, given that it was the beginning. However, measures have been taken to correct the weaknesses, with preparations for this year’s exhibition beginning earlier, he assured.

“We are partnering with over 100 youth organisations, with at least 15 government ministries having confirmed their participation. Participants will come from all over the world to support the initiative financially, technically and in mobilising youth,” Ngosso disclosed.

The exhibition will also be available online for those who cannot be present at the Yaounde Conference Centre. It will offer the avenue for youth to learn about funding opportunities for their projects and discover what other young people are already doing.

Among topics to be handled are agriculture, livestock farming, tourism, environment and sustainable development, culture, gender, human rights, social affairs and peace and security. Others are digital economy, entrepreneurship, health, volunteering, communication, etc.