We successfully organized a One-Day Public Presentation of Findings on “Climate Change and Community Vulnerability in the North-West Region of Cameroon: A Sharpener of Collective Harmony Shift.”
The event, which brought together over 120 participants, was held in response to the growing concern that climate change has become a major threat to livelihoods, food security, water resources, public health and social cohesion in the North-West Region.
In attendance were His Grace Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, the Governor’s representative, Auxiliary Bishop, HRH Fon of Mankon, HRH Fon of Bambili, HRH Fon of Zang Tabi, Public Independent Conciliator, Public Administrators, Ardo of Tubah, leader of the Mbororo Fulani Muslim community, academics from the University of Bamenda and Catholic University of Cameroon, religious leaders, civil society organizations, media practitioners, environmental specialists and other development actors.
Objectives Achieved
The activity was conceived as a platform for evidence-based dialogue, mutual learning and interfaith collaboration. All objectives set to be achieved, were addressed:
Research findings presented: Prof. Niba Mary of the Univeristy of Bamenda presented the climate change findings, highlighting how changing climatic conditions coupled with socio-economic challenges are increasing community vulnerability in the North West Region and the role of different stakeholders in addressing these issues.
Awareness and understanding promoted: Stakeholders deepened their understanding of how climate change disproportionately affects everyone and especially vulnerable populations like women, youths and IDPs.
Collective harmony and social cohesion strengthened: The presentation explored how climate action can be an opportunity to foster solidarity, interfaith cooperation and peaceful coexistence among farming and pastoralist communities.
Inclusive stakeholder engagement encouraged: The hall provided a rare common platform where traditional rulers, Muslim leaders, the Church, academics, CSOs and media exchanged perspectives and good practices.
Community-based adaptation strategies identified: Participants deliberated on locally relevant solutions including restoration of watersheds, sustainable water management and climate-smart agriculture, transformation of reusable waste, focus and provision of green jobs.
Partnerships and collective action fostered: The meeting strengthened collaboration among religious institutions, traditional authorities, academic institutions, CSOs and development partners.
Environmental stewardship promoted: Archbishop Nkea emphasized on shared responsibility while calling on individuals and communities to embrace responsible environmental practices and why not embrace transformation of waste to useable products like farming manure from house hold waste food, biogas from toilet, and durable bricks from bottles.
Framework for sustained engagement developed: The event generated recommendations for continued dialogue, including translating findings into action plans, church sermons, school lessons and council bylaws, as well as concrete initiatives like planting of trees across parishes, collecting plastic bottles to recycle into building materials, and turning waste into useful products.
The event was indeed timely and very much welcomed by people of different professional, religious, cultural and social backgrounds who share a common responsibility to safeguard our environment, protect vulnerable populations and promote a future in which our communities can thrive together in harmony.