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News
from the African region
UNESCO Clubs Pan-African Meeting,
Yaounde,
Cameroon,
18 - 23 February 2002.
Because of the deep
changes currently ruling the world, the various Federations of African
clubs wished to meetin order to fully take part in this process of change.
Above all seeking to improve the coordination of their actions and to
increase their visibility, they wanted to anchor their "movement
in movement " within this new reality.  In
the direct line of the Universal Statement on Cultural Diversity adopted
by UNESCO General Conference during the 31st session, the theme of this
meeting, placed under Cameroon government high patronage (represented
by Professor Joseph Owona, National Education Minister) was: "
learning to live together, UNESCO Centres Clubs and Associations for
African integration and durable development ". The conference gathered
72 participants from many African Federations: Benin, Burkina Faso,
Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana,
Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Niger, Togo.
Since this meeting had for main objectives exchange, coordination and
each other knowledge, a significant place was given to the presentation
of the various innovating activities undertaken by African UNESCO Clubs
:
- In Liberia, Clubs
take part in and initiate many projects aiming at improving the living
condition of the country's inhabitants. Among the more remarkable
projects we can mention their participation in the massive program
for illiteracy elimination launched by the Minister for education,
with the aim to reduce the illiteracy rate from 75 to
35%. Clubs members teach in classes for workingwomen or directly in
their own community. On October 24th 2001, United Nations day, a cultural
festival was organised in order to confront children with other ethnic
group customs, dressing, culinary and artistic habits, in order to
promote tolerance and cultural diversity.
- Gambian Clubs centred
their activities on four principal themes: Education (the most significant
part of their program), Environment, Culture, Information and Communication.
Concerning Education, many conferences were hold and within schools
and Universities celebrated Peace day and Tolerance day. On
the International Day for Peace, September 15th 2001, a large demonstration
was organised and attracted many. Twinning between clubs from various
areas are also important initiatives in order get a better knowledge
of other clubs and to exchange pilot points of view or experiments,
following the example of Kalagi and Bwiam clubs who organised mutual
visits. Lastly, still concerning Education, Centres for Resources
in Education matters played a great role in the programs for illiteracy
elimination, in cities such as Bajagarr and Soma. Concerning Environment,
clubs initiated reforestation and public cleaning actions, carried
out by young people, to try and create a spark of awakening regarding
the considerable environmental degradation.
In order to gain more visibility, clubs try to diffuse their ideas
through traditional media, often taking part in debates and regular
broadcasts. Therefore, every week, Club members approach various topics
in relationship with their activities on the air of a very popular
independent Gambian radio station.
Lastly, Mr Roger
Milla was appointed Sponsor for UNESCO Clubs activities in favour of
children and in the fight against AIDS. Mr Milla made us the honour
of his presence on the last day.
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