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Georgetown University

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Program Name

Cameroon: Development and Social Change

Abstract

Young people are thermometers and essential actors in the future-oriented process of national development. In Cameroon, youth are affected by constraints which can hinder these processes and aims–economic stagnancy, inequality of resources, ethnic nepotism and rampant government corruption. Additionally, thousands of youth are internally displaced (IDPs) by violent conflicts: particularly the Anglophone crisis in the South West and North West regions. This study seeks to understand young people’s experiences in this context. Through twenty interviews with IDPs in Yaoundé ages 18 to 30, the study sheds light on the following questions: How do young IDPs conceive the flourishing for themselves and their home communities? What strategies do they use in attempts to realize these ideas? Young IDPs present heterogenous understandings of flourishing, with some emphasizing financial ease, personal fulfillment or social recognition. Participants with the most formal education expressed the most expansive and community-wide plans. They cite hard work and religious belief as key strategies with varying degrees of importance.

Disciplines

African Studies | Behavioral Economics | Civic and Community Engagement | Development Studies | Inequality and Stratification | Peace and Conflict Studies | Politics and Social Change | Social Welfare

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