The second edition of the One Youth One Dream conference was held in Buea, the capital of Cameroon's South West region, on October 17. According to the Cameroon News Agency, the event was organized by Enanga Fule Eliva, a 26-year-old youth leader and founder of the Make Them Smile Foundation. Fule, who also coordinates the regional arm of the national youth parliamentarians network, established the initiative in 2024 to provide a platform for young people to network and exchange ideas.
The conference aimed to give attendees direction in pursuing their personal and professional goals. Fule stated that the core idea of the initiative is to help young people arrive at goals that materialize their dreams. She emphasized that youth should begin leading in their immediate environments, noting that they are never too young to take charge. The event brought together hundreds of young people who have been part of the community since the first edition in 2024.
Participants reported tangible benefits from the program. Besong Sarah, a communication graduate from the University of Buea who attended the 2024 conference, said she developed skills in creating and managing non-governmental organizations through a one-month mentorship program. She noted that these skills have increased her value in the job market. Another 2024 participant, Ashu Dahlin, described the conference as his first opportunity to volunteer, stating that it opened his eyes to the activities of young people around Buea and spurred his professional ambitions.
Isaac Ekombe Mbua, the regional official in charge of youth affairs and civic education, presided over the second conference. He suggested that small efforts toward transformation could lead to larger results if young people invest their time in quality activities. The Cameroon News Agency reported that the initiative operates in a context where local stakeholders are addressing waste disposal challenges, drug abuse, and rising cases of femicide and child rape in the region.
The conference sought to inspire leadership and solution-driven thinking among the youth. By focusing on purpose and self-identity, the Fule-led initiative aims to address the myriad social problems facing both townships and rural communities in the South West region.