
YOUTH AND SECURITY ESSAY COMPETITION, 2017
To kick-off the project, pre-test our data collection instruments, and generate interest and support from both partners and participants, we supported a written-student essay competition. Young adults from around the Yaoundé capital region were invited to write on 12 security-related topics, including terrorism, school-based violence, insecurity, risk-taking among youth. We solicited over 800 entries and worked with local teachers and principals to rank and rate the essays. We collaborated with a prominent newspaper, Mutations, to advertise the competition and serve as a publication platform for the 12 winning essays. We also received logistical support from the Yaoundé capital region school district, including head of the district, Mr. Fidelice Mvogo Ebanda. The pieces from each winning entry were featured in a full page write-up in Mutations, with an additional article about the winner (see appendix A for each entry). Essays were published between May 9th and May 23rd, 2017, and on June 9th we held a ceremony where the first, second, and third place winner for each topic was given a certificate and small award. Certificates were distributed by our project team as well as invited guests, including a National Parliamentarian from the north of Cameroon, a region particularly impacted by security challenges.
Not only were these essays useful for generating enthusiasm among students for the broader survey effort that will launch in the fall, but they also helped us build trust and support from the local school district where the survey and interventions will be conducted. The interest in this project “on-the-ground,” among students, education officials, and political actors, has exceeded our expectations. Moreover, the insights from the written student essay competition into the survey, have proved fruitful as we refine our survey instruments.
ENTRIES
Here is a list of winning entries. A PDF of each entry can be read by clicking on the link below.
Joseph Minkada Obama
The effort as a credo / L'effort comme crèdoOcéanie Omengue Zogo
The passion of literature/ La passionnèe de littèratureVirgine Huguette Djoum
The importance of positivity / Gagnante à l'esprit positifAriene Créscence Abend Ndi
Ambassor of mutual respect/ Ambassadrive du respect mutuelCécile Akono Atangana
Disciple of well-done work/ Disciple du travail bien faitLouise Byzance Dikoum Ngan
Speaking for the repressed/ La voix favorable à la répression
Ingrid Alida Chelo Konlack
The technological spirit in the skin/ L'esprit technologique dans la peauLucie Patricia Amvouna
Self-confidence for strength/ La confiance en soi raffermieSybella Noumedem Yimele
Adapting to challenges/ L'adepte des challengesKabrel Vanel Mobeuk
The meritocracy scientist/ Le scientifique de la méritocratieStève Joris Nlend
The successful outbreak of a grave/ L'èclosion réussie d'un tombeurOwolabi Manrouzouk
Advocate of teamwork / Partisan des concessions mutuelles



