Ngala Desmond, Cameroon Country Project Manager, responding after presentation of the prize in Yaounde. Details below.

#defyhatenow initiative gets it first recognition as a peace promotion organisation. As the Project Manager for Cameroon, how did you receive the news?

Honestly, this is one of the greatest surprises we have had this year. In fact, it had never crossed my mind or that of my team that our work would be appreciated so soon. Our focus has been on creating impact and touching as many lives as possible. We even judge ourselves thinking we do not even do as much work as we ought to. On that fateful August 12, I left Yaounde in the morning, hoping to be in Limbe in time for the 18 Annual General Meeting of the Cameroon Association of Media Professionals – CAMP. This is the third consecutive year we are engaging the members through capacity building sessions. I decided this time around to accompany the team by attending in person. Unfortunately for reasons beyond my control, I could only reach Douala at night. It was too late for me to travel to Limbe. But two of my colleagues, Derick and Raissa had gone ahead, they did my presentation on cross cultural communication, and later in the evening, they both received the award on our behalf. I was particularly thrilled to receive this news, just like everyone else, coming from the team. I doubt if it would have felt the same if I had been the one to break the news to them. I used this story just to illustrate what we do at #defyhatenow. We work selflessly, without even think of any immediate reward. Since it is team work, we are able and ready to step in at any time irrespective of the person initially assigned for the task. Even in my absence, my colleagues, though unprepared, were able to fill sit in for me and bring back such wonderful news. Throughout our work, we see the same mindset in communities where we have engaged persons.  Some of them even go extra miles to more than we had expected. The news was a great surprise, but at the same time, it is a great encouragement for the entire team. 

This is the organisation’s first award after close to five years of relentless efforts in peacebuilding. Should such an accolade not have come earlier? 

My answer to this question is a big no! #defyhatenow works on mobilizing civic action against hatespeech, we do not work on our own, but we need to build a community around our values. #defyhatenow is not a project like others that belongs to the core team, absolutely no! It is a concept, an ideology, a mind-set, in fact, a way of life. We all need to take a personal commitment to say no to hate. We all have a role to play both at individual and collective levels to build a peaceful society. This requires time, resources and coordinated efforts to mould or transform mind-sets. So in my opinion, this award has come faster that we could have imagined. It is indeed a good thing to see that our work has garnered support both at home and abroad within such a short period. Receiving this surprised VIIMMA 2023 Award is a big tap on the shoulder. This is a clarion call from the external community requiring us to take the message of peace to the furthest parts of Cameroon. The news came at a time when we were hosting our first activity in the East Region, targeting displaced persons and host communities in Garoua-Boulai.  This takes us to nine regions out of 10 where we have active community relays. We are looking forward to covering all 58 Divisions, and why not, have at least one active peacebuilder in each of the 360 subdivisions of the country. 

So far, we have been involved in different national and regional discussions where we share our experience. Building community peace weavers particularly in the crisis-hit North West and South West Regions has not been easy. But wherever we have been, doors have always been opened to us. Community members always received us with a lot of warmth. So this award makes us feel like it is now that real work begins. As we all know, the higher you go, the greater the expectations too. Henceforth, we have a solemn responsibility to live up to it!

What does the VIIMMA 2023 signify to your team and the entire #defyhatenow community?

This award is an eye opener, an encouragement and at the same time a reminder of how much work we still have to do. This pushes us to cover more terrain and not rest on our laurels, especially as we see evolving trends in the spread of hatespeech and disinformation. To be very honest, we cannot take credit for this alone, because without the supportive #defyhatenow community in Cameroon and abroad, we would not be celebrating today. I wish to particularly thank the project initiator, r0g_agency for open culture and critical transformation for introducing the initiative in Cameroon. This award is timely as it matches the 10^th anniversary of r0g_agency. For a project of such a magnitude that started timidly to have grown this far, we can never thank the German Government enough for entrusting such a huge yet humbly task to us. The financial support and backing via the Federal Foreign Office has spurred other diplomatic missions, the government of Cameroon and international organisations to rally behind us in our collective strife for a #HateFreeCameroon. This adds to the endless list of youth, women, media, grassroot organisations that are able to own their peace processes and champion local initiatives themselves. We equally wish to acknowledge policy makers, municipal, traditional and religious authorities that did not only receive us, but willingly granted us access to their communities. These are the real owners of this beautiful accolade. Every #defyhatenow community member should feel free to visit us, see and touch the award. It belongs to us all!

What are some of the milestone achievements of #defyhatenow in Cameroon, which you believe must have attracted this recognition? 

The very first milestone is that the core team travels less than before (laughs!). I know some people reading this may not fully understand. When we started this initiative in Cameroon sometime in 2018, we were testing the waters and there was no guarantee things would work. We did not even know what exactly to do, since there were so many areas that needed our attention. After a test period, later in 2019, we had a clearer picture of what to do, though we needed people to accompany us. A few activities here and there with some key stakeholders helped us to shape ideas in a more organised way. Even when we sat to conceive the first #defyhatenow Social Media Hatespeech Mitigation Field Guide, we were adapting it from the version produced in South Sudan. So it was more of learning and adjustments through practice. And then came the year 2020, just when we imagined we had gathered enough momentum to take a leap, but Covid-19 broke out, bringing everything to a standstill. We had to make a difficult decision whether to continue or stop. Most of the team members we have today joined us at this particular trying time. And as the team lead, I felt a lot of relief when I realised they embraced the project as seriously as if their lives depended on it. So between June 2020 and December 2021, we had to spend countless days on the road, sleepless night working to ensure the project’s full implantation. We had to lay the solid foundation, for the rest to follow.

Today, when we look back at all the work, we are glad to see more people championing peace initiatives in their communities. It is easier us for to send resources to remote communities and have them run activities on their own. After attending our capacity building and mentorship sessions, participants have surprised us with greater results on the ground. We ran a series of regional workshops in Buea, Bamenda and Yaounde where over 150 Journalists were trained. Some were later selected for a mentorship phase on conflict-sensitive reporting. Based on the success, we extended the project to broadcasters in Pidgin, grouping 50 community radios and televisions. We got very interesting feedback from these discussions, which served as the basis for a one-day Media Leaders’ Forum we organised in Yaounde on April 28, 2023. Close to 50 participants made of publishers, owners and editorial members of print and audio-visual press outlets held talks on upholding free-speech and countering hatespeech, after which they produced a statement as a way forward. 

Closely linked to our #Media4Peace programme is the Africa Factchecking Fellowship- #AFFCameroon. This is a quarterly hands-on training for journalists, bloggers and Civil Society leaders. We realised that Social Media serves as a primary source of information for both new digital and mainstream media. As such, it is necessary to enhance the media and information literacy of content creators. Cohort 8 is currently in session, thus making about 140 Fellows trained this far. While they participate in a national programme of this nature, we try to gain insights to questions relating to mis/disinformation and hatespeech in different parts of the country. Cohort 6 was specifically focused on the three northern regions: Adamaoua, North and Far North. Cohort 7 was exclusively made of Fellows from the North West and South West Regions. You will be surprised to discover the diverse forms, manifestations and effects of disinformation and hatespeech in these communities, based on their locally realities. We also engaged schools through frequent #PenNotGun campaigns, teaching young people to develop peacebuilding skills at an early age. 

In addition to online data analysis and response, we also build the capacities of community-based groups. We see youth-led, media, women-oriented, sociocultural and religious groups incorporating our Field Guide as a conflict mitigation tool in their daily work is an accomplishment. Through these community relays, our message of peaceful coexistence among people is carried to the nooks and crannies of Cameroon.

What gives us greater joy today is seeing positive response and acceptance from host communities. We also get numerous calls and invitations to participate in event and discussions, thus contributing to national efforts aimed at curbing the spread of hatespeech and violence. We work with both public and private actors, which explain why our peacebuilding efforts are attracting public appreciation. We saw this collaboration particularly in November 2022 when we organised our first national conference on disinformation. The same response was seen in May 2023, when we hosted a national symposium on hatespeech in collaboration with the Department of Sociology in the University of Yaounde 1 and the Pan-African University. But our overall goal is for these persons we have touched directly or indirect be it online and offline to carry the work further in their respective domains.   

What are the organisation’s prospects in this year and beyond?

This year including those to come, we will focus on maintaining an upward trend. We aim to leverage the successes of the past, learn lessons from our shortcomings and define new strategies to climb higher. We are re-launching the conflict sensitive reporting training, because we have realised that both digital and mainstream media space is not yet hate-free. This time around the call for applications is nationwide to get as many different experiences as possible. We also continue to support community-based organisations in their use of the Field Guide. Hard copies of the resource packages have bee, distributed and are being used in at least 35 out of the 58 Divisions of Cameroon. Within the Africa Factchecking Fellowship , we are looking at new trends especially the use of AI and how it impacts the information chain. Future cohorts will have to work on such and related topics which will enhance their professional careers. This year is indeed meant for celebration as r0g_agency, #defyhatenow’s initiator clocks 10. We will launch the Cameroon Diaspora Dialogues Panel Discussion on 23 September, to engage with the diaspora in an effort to bring about conflict transformation and resolution. Both at home and abroad, we will leave no stone unturned as we collective strife for a #HateFreeCameroon. 

Interviewed by Laure Nganlay

Hate speech encourages a climate of violence and repression against marginalised groups, including legitimising the use of violence at their detriment. Those who publicly disseminate this vice, wish to present it as “normal”, their views acceptable and even justified. In situations where the spread and influence of this ill is not prevented, such malignant ideas find fertile soil, become socially acceptable and can produce negative and dangerous consequences in societies. Words matter!!! They are the connective fabric of collective life and the omission in perceiving how people can be influenced by words which can lead to serious and dangerous situations. Hate speech must be analysed from the perspective of the intended purpose and the effect that such speech induces or wishes to induce. It must also be assessed in the context of a given society and its historical, cultural, political and all other important aspects. In respect to that, since each form of speech occurs within a certain historical and cultural context, a speech which is not hate speech in one context, may become hate speech in another.

Online hate speech in particular might seem impossible to stop, but governments, civil society and individuals are taking action, including tapping the power of education, to fight back. Tackling the issue from an educational perspective involves strengthening policies and initiatives with specific measures to address and counter this scourge, helping people develop critical thinking and become active citizens who support peace and human rights. Hate speech is in full attack mode, amplified by new technologies that spread divisive rhetoric across the globe. We all have seen the harm it does, sparking violence, exclusion, discrimination and inequality. 

Just two months after the organisation of a National Symposium in Cameroon by #defyhatenow/ Civic Watch and the Department of Sociology from the University of Yaounde I, we have from then been invited to many state and private media stations to discuss how our organisation works in countering this scourge be it online or offline. Reason why at this very interview where Ngala Desmond #defyhatenow country representative was a guest on Cameroon national station; CRTV radio 88.8MHz to talk with other members of civil society organisations on ways to countering hate speech and contributing to a #HateFreeCameroon. In his intervention, during the program Ngala Desmond shared as he argues: Hate speech can be eradicated through collective efforts towards curbing its spread, by building the resilience of local communities. It takes a personal commitment to say no to hate, to choose to champion peaceful actions and behaviours. The moment we all think in the same direction, we will find positive results. Unfortunately, hate mongers will always exist and continue propagating vices for reasons best known to them. That is why as Civic Watch, we lay emphasis on reshaping mind-sets, setting the pace as role models and showing the path to follow, so that peace lovers can own their development processes. The moment we stop attaching prejudices to people based on their background and rather see them simply as humans, we would build a stronger and prosperous society. 

That is why over the years, at #defyhatenow, we have discussed and continue to discuss with the public, the consequences of hate speech and how it can be mitigated through individual actions that aim at creating safe spaces online and offline for citizens and the media to interact with each other and chat matters in a fruitful and informed manner.

The battle is a continuous one!!!

#HateFreeCameroon #Media4peace  #NoToHate  

S’unir pour Éradiquer le Discours de Haine par des Efforts Collectifs

Le discours de haine encourage un climat de violence et de répression à l’encontre des groupes marginalisés, notamment en légitimant le recours à la violence contre eux. Ceux qui diffusent publiquement des discours de haine souhaitent les présenter comme “normaux” et leurs points de vue comme acceptables, voire justifiés. Lorsque la diffusion et l’influence des discours de haine ne sont pas empêchées, ces idées malveillantes trouvent un terreau fertile, deviennent socialement acceptables et peuvent avoir des conséquences négatives et dangereuses pour les sociétés. Les mots sont importants. Ils constituent le tissu conjonctif de la vie collective et le fait de ne pas percevoir comment les gens peuvent être influencés par les mots peut conduire à des situations graves et dangereuses. Le discours de haine doit être analysé du point de vue de l’objectif visé et de l’effet que ce discours induit ou souhaite induire. Il doit également être évalué dans le contexte d’une société donnée et de ses aspects historiques, culturels, politiques et autres. À cet égard, étant donné que chaque forme de discours s’inscrit dans un certain contexte historique et culturel, un discours qui n’est pas un discours de haine dans un contexte donné peut devenir un discours de haine dans un autre contexte.

Les discours de haine en ligne, en particulier, peuvent sembler impossibles à arrêter, mais les gouvernements, la société civile et les individus prennent des mesures, notamment en exploitant le pouvoir de l’éducation, pour lutter contre ces discours. Aborder la question sous l’angle de l’éducation implique de renforcer les politiques et les initiatives par des mesures spécifiques visant à aborder et à contrer le discours de haine, à aider les gens à développer une pensée critique et à devenir des citoyens actifs qui soutiennent la paix et les droits de l’homme. Le discours de haine est en pleine offensive, amplifié par les nouvelles technologies qui diffusent une rhétorique de division à travers le monde. Nous avons tous constaté le mal qu’il fait, en suscitant la violence, l’exclusion, la discrimination et l’inégalité.

Deux mois seulement après l’organisation d’un colloque national au Cameroun par #defyhatenow/ Civic Watch et le département de sociologie de l’université de Yaoundé 1, nous avons depuis lors été invités dans de nombreuses stations de médias publiques et privées pour discuter de la façon dont notre organisation travaille pour contrer ce fléau, que ce soit en ligne ou hors ligne. La raison pour laquelle à cette interview même où Ngala Desmond représentant pays de #defyhatenow était un invité sur la station nationale du Cameroun; CRTV radio 88.8MHz pour parler en compagnie d’autres membres des organisations de la société civile sur les moyens de contrer le discours de haine et de contribuer à #UnCamerounSansHaine. 

Dans son intervention, au cours de l’interview, Ngala Desmond dit: “Le discours de haine peut être éradiqué grâce à des efforts collectifs visant à freiner sa propagation, en renforçant la résilience des communautés locales. Il faut un engagement personnel pour dire non à la haine, pour choisir de défendre des actions et des comportements pacifiques. Dès lors que nous pensons tous dans la même direction, nous obtenons des résultats positifs. Malheureusement, les semeurs de haine existeront toujours et continueront à propager des vices pour les raisons qu’ils connaissent le mieux. C’est pourquoi, en tant que Civic Watch, nous mettons l’accent sur le remodelage des mentalités, en donnant le ton en tant que modèles et en montrant la voie à suivre, afin que les amoureux de la paix puissent s’approprier leur processus de développement. Lorsque nous cesserons d’attacher des préjugés aux personnes en fonction de leurs origines et que nous les considérons simplement comme des êtres humains, nous construirons une société plus forte et plus prospère”. 

#NonALaHaine  #Media4peace   #UnCamerounSansHaine

En raison de la recrudescence des discours de haine, de l’incitation à la violence et de la désinformation en ligne et hors ligne, qui a affecté négativement le tissu pacifique sur lequel le pays a été construit, posant encore une menace insoluble pour la paix, la cohésion sociale et les valeurs fondamentales de notre nation. Les réseaux sociaux ont été de plus en plus utilisés comme un outil pour attiser les tensions et les conflits au Cameroun, car beaucoup ont souffert d’attaques telles que le harcèlement, la diffamation et l’intimidation sur les différentes plates-formes (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.). Les réseaux sociaux ont également permis la création de communautés en ligne, où les utilisateurs peuvent se connecter avec d’autres pour partager des intérêts ou des expériences similaires. 

La 2e édition de l’événement ‘National Celebrity Endorsement Day (#NCED) qui est organisée sous le patronage du ministère des Arts et de la Culture et en partenariat avec #defyhatenow/ Civic Watch, vise à rassembler les acteurs numériques et culturels du Cameroun et de la diaspora autour d’une table pour un partage d’expérience et de meilleures pratiques à adopter sur les façons dont les jeunes et tout le monde peuvent utiliser les médias sociaux de manière responsable. Le taux de croissance de l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux et leur impact sur la veille concurrentielle ont motivé l’organisation de cet événement pour mettre en lumière les enjeux des réseaux numériques. Par ailleurs, l’idée derrière #NCED est de rassembler les jeunes, les artistes, les entrepreneurs, les entreprises et l’État pour explorer les opportunités numériques dans une économie mondialisée grâce aux plateformes en ligne. Le thème de cette édition est intitulé : “Les réseaux sociaux au cœur de l’intelligence économique : Défis et opportunités pour la jeunesse, la culture et les entreprises“. Elle se déroulera du 21 au 22 juillet 2023 à l’African Business Center et au centre culturel Ubuntu respectivement le vendredi et samedi.

Le #NCED réunira environ 250 participants pendant les deux jours de conférence, dont des autorités locales, des professionnels du numérique, des entrepreneurs, des passionnés du numérique, des étudiants et des acteurs de la société civile. L’objectif de cet événement est d’éclairer la jeunesse camerounaise et les acteurs culturels sur les différents styles de création de contenu, les partenariats, de présenter la pertinence des nouveaux métiers du numérique et de renforcer une synergie d’actions pour réduire les effets négatifs ou l’utilisation des médias sociaux. L’impact attendu est la promotion de nouveaux comportements en ligne propices à l’emploi, à l’auto-emploi, à la valorisation des œuvres et des acteurs culturels, et d’engager d’autres parties prenantes (organisations/institutions) sur les moyens de lutter contre l’utilisation non éthique des réseaux sociaux et tous les fléaux que l’on peut trouver sur internet. Les médias, la presse, les blogueurs, les organisations de base et les journalistes indépendants sont vivement attendus pour donner à l’événement l’élan nécessaire.

#defyhatenow vise à fournir des solutions communautaires et basées sur des données au problème des discours de haine, de la désinformation et de la mésinformation en ligne et hors ligne. L’initiative vise également à renforcer les capacités des jeunes et des organisations de la société civile à lutter contre les discours de haine et à promouvoir la paix par divers moyens : culture, dialogues interconfessionnels, discussions ou même sport. Nous nous concentrons principalement sur les organisations communautaires, les organisations de femmes et de jeunes, les organisations de la société civile et les organisations orientées vers les médias en amplifiant leur VOIX, pour qu’elles puissent défendre les initiatives de paix à la fois en ligne et hors ligne vers la construction d’un #Cameroun sans haine.

C’est pourquoi #defyhatenow sera représenté lors de cette 2ème édition par Ngala-Desmond, Tchiengue-Donald et Mbong Vera qui partageront respectivement sur le rôle et l’impact des initiatives de lutte contre la #Désinformation et le #DiscoursDeHaine sur les médias sociaux, parler sur la compréhension des bases de l’intelligence économique dans un monde qui évolue rapidement et d’en parler sur ce que #deyhatenow fait dans sa contribution à la paix Cameroun. Ils se joindront à d’autres experts des questions tech et numériques  pour partager leurs points de vue sur la manière de rendre le monde des médias sociaux bénéfique et sûr pour tous et partout. 

Social Media: A Mitigating Tool Against #HateSpeech and #Disinformation 

Owing to the upsurge in  hate speech, incitement to violence and mis/disinformation both online and offline which has negatively affected the peaceful fabric on which the country was built on, posing yet an unresolvable threat to peace, social cohesion and fundamental values of our nation. Social media has increasingly been used as a tool to fan the flames of tensions and conflicts in Cameroon as many have suffered from attacks such as harassment, defamation and bullying on the different platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on). Social media has also given rise to the creation of online communities, where users can connect with others to share similar interests or experiences. 

The National Endorsement Day (#NCED) 2nd edition organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Arts and Culture and in partnership with #defyhatenow/ Civic Watch, aims at bringing together digital and cultural actors from Cameroon and the diaspora around a dialogue table to share experiences and best practices on ways youths and everyone can use social media responsibly. The growth in the use of social networks and their impact on competitive  intelligence prompted the organisation of this event to highlight the challenges of digital networks. Meanwhile, the idea behind #NCED is to bring together young people, artists, entrepreneurs, businesses and the state to explore digital opportunities in a globalised economy thanks to online platforms. The theme of this edition is dubbed: “Social Networks at the Heart of Economic Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Youth, Culture, and Business”. It shall be taking place from July 21 – 22, 2023 at the African Business Center and the Ubuntu Cultural centre, Friday and Saturday respectively. 

The #NCED will bring together about +250 participants during the two days conference, including local authorities, digital professionals, entrepreneurs, digital enthusiasts, students, and civil society actors. The objective of this event is to enlighten Cameroonian youths and cultural actors on the different styles of content creation, partnerships, presenting the relevance of new digital professions and  reinforcing a synergy of actions to reduce the negative effects or use of social media. The expected impact is the promotion of new online behaviours conducive to employment, self-employment, the valorization of cultural works and actors, and to engage other stakeholders (organisations/institutions) on ways to combat the unethical use of social networks and all the scourges that can be found on the internet. The media, the press, bloggers, grassroot organisations, and independent journalists are greatly expected to grace the event and give it the boost necessary. 

#defyhatenow works on providing community-based and data-driven solutions to the problem of hate speech, disinformation and misinformation online and offline. The initiative equally works on enhancing the capacities of primarily youth and civil society organisations to counter hate speech and promote peace through various ways; culture, interfaith dialogues, discussions or even sport. We focus mostly on community-based, women & youth-led, civil society & media oriented organisations by amplifying their VOICES, for them to champion peace initiatives both on/offline towards building a #HateFreeCameroon.

That is why #defyhatenow shall be represented during this 2nd edition by Ngala-Desmond, Tchiengue-Donald and Mbong Vera as they shall be sharing on the role and impact of initiatives fighting #Disinformation and #HateSpeech on social media, to talk on understanding the basics of economic intelligence in a fast paced world and share on what #defyhatenow does in her contribution to eradicate #HateSpeech and #BuildingPeace in Cameroon, respectively. They shall be joining other tech and cultural experts to share perspectives on how to make the social media world beneficial and safe for all everywhere. 

[PART 1: THE MIRROR]

You take a string of my hair and ask to tell me a secret. 

I pull you in closer and whisper, 

Tell me young one,

Tell me of all the stories you’ve kept.

You silently itch closer and hold out your hand. 

I hold my breath in and wait, and wait… 

[PART 2: THE CHILD] 

I was fifteen when I had my first phone. 

Before then, the only faces I knew where the ones that I saw everyday,

And my world was as small as it could be. 

I was sixteen when I learned of social media. 

It was only facebook and telegram back then, 

and all I focused on was how my photos looked,

If my friends liked them,

If my crush liked me,  

and the only form of self expression I knew was 

changing my hairstyles 

and quoting lyrics from songs I barely understood.

Public and Private were only a concept.

As my father sat me down and explained 

of all the wrongs I have yet to encounter, 

The innocent eyes I had for the world were crumbling 

Everything that I ever knew was all unbecoming. 

What was wrong with the photo I took?

Was it my button nose?

Was it my crooked teeth?

Why was I afraid to fight back?

Why was I quick to delete the first thing I released into the wild 

When it was just one man’s voice, voices, screamed…

The creativity of the hate was building!

I felt alone in this battle

I was silenced. 

I stared into mirrors, I asked my mother

I covered my hands when I shared a laughter

A single word was destroying what took years to build.

I wasn’t going to let this stop me!

Was I?

[PART 3: THE MAIDEN]

I was seventeen when I first lost my innocence.

My eyes and ears were exposed to the world 

Louder than anything I ever knew.

I was sucked. 

I was tranced. 

I was falling. 

I wanted to know it all, and speak out about all the wrong I saw. 

Was it ever enough?

Was it the way my eyes were crooked or my nose small? 

Was it the way that I spoke or didn’t speak at all? 

Did I deserve any of it? 

Did I have to believe any of it at all? 

Who is this man to tell me I’m ugly when I had nothing ugly at all!

Was it something I said? Was it something I wrote? 

Was it the awkwardness of my hands when I posed? 

Or was it the fact that you chose to see what’s between my legs 

rather than what’s above my nose? 

I was not born deaf, but I wish I could unhear things.

I was not born blind, but I wish I could unsee this.

I was not born a man, but I wish I was today. 

I could repeat more words that were said to me

I could repeat more phrases that were thrown at me

sticks and stones, sticks and stones

I had better shields for the stones you’ve thrown 

Than to face the words I have known. 

In my own existence, In my own dissertation 

I was more than everything 

I knew I was more than what they were saying. 

[PART 4: THE MIRROR] 

Before there was silence, there was an ambush of noise.

I heard more than your words, 

I saw your heart’s tone. 

I could not deny the truth, I could not deny the hate

You were nothing more than a bird,

YOU WERE NOTHING MORE THAN 

A DAUGHTER, A SON, A MAN, A WOMAN 

YOU WERE NOTHING MORE THAN HUMAN!

You were never the words that were spoken to you

You were never the slurs that were shoved at you

You were a flower that was plucked to soon

You were that garden that filled up the whole room

I see the fresh cut that graces your skin.

I see all the bruises,

I see all the stain,

I see all the tears.

I see what’s behind and all that you carried.

I see you, I see you, I see you, I SEE YOU!

I stand here on the backs of all the words that were said to you,

I speak with all the words that were never given to you!

I see all the grace and beauty and brilliance.

I see your crooked eyes and beautiful smile and all the brain that it hides. 

I see your stolen home and I see your stolen voice. 

I stand here from all the ashes and tears that you were born from.

I see all the battle you have yet to face

I see all the scars you have yet to embrace

I SEE YOU!

I see you and I feel you and now I am not ashamed to say that I AM YOU. 

and you are me.

And I stand WITH you, I stand BY you, I stand FOR you. 

I DENY all the hate that was thrown at you. 

I GIVE you all the love that was hidden from you. 

Stay strong though, this war isn’t over.

We have barely scratched the surface. 

Strengthen your heart my dear

The stronger you get, the louder they become 

Sharpen your pencil,

Wipe your sweaty hands,

Clean your camera lens, 

And pose for me one more time.

Let us show the world, we have barely begun. 

Les discours sont libre

Mais si ça va faire mal

Ne les dis pas

We are told that words are free

But no one warns us about how expensive

It is to cure from wounds inflicted by words

That should have been left unsaid

Today, most people are everything they never wanted

Because everything they have always wanted to be

Was destroyed by carelessly said expressions and opinions

Of what others wanted them to be,

Words can kill dreams and destinies

Les discours sont libre

Mais si ça va faire mal

Ne les dis pas

The tongue has no bone

But it is the strongest, sometimes the fiercest part of a human body.

From our communities to vast facebook, twitter and instagram streets,

Our tongues sting with hate;

Unconscious, sometimes conscious

Unverified, carelessly uttered words intended to divide, hurt or kill.

Hate speech wreaks more havoc than a well targeted bomb

It is venomous, camouflaged in assumptions…

Generational ideologies passed on from people to people

Les discours sont libre

Mais si ça va faire mal

Ne les dis pas

Why do we seem to log out of our brains

Every time we log into the net?

We create negative conversations about people

Or where they come from

We make fake news travel faster than a flashlight

We no longer think when we click, tweet or speak

We all love jokes but jokes are not funny

When they are intended to make others cry

Jokes like referring to Anglophones as anglofools

Or calling bangwa people, 99 sense

Or referring to Northern settlers as sheep

Hate speech is the face behind the mask that has for decades

Spurred world wars and atrocities:

The holocaust

The Cambodian genocide

The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

The Anglophone crisis

Les discours sont libre

Mais si ça va faire mal

Ne les dis pas 

By the sting of our tongues

Men have carried the venoms of bitterness in their veins

Nations have gone to war, fighting with no gain

Young people have died without a whimper of pain

Hate is taking over our humanity, pouring nonstop like heavy rains

We are only travelers

Walking through this universe we call home

To be here today and gone tomorrow

The only thing that stays

is our footprints

The memories we create

And how our words made people feel

Les discours sont libre

Mais si ça va faire mal

Ne les dis pas 

© PENBOY

Un jamboree socioculturel et artistique sur place se tiendra à Yaoundé samedi, tandis que l’ensemble de la communauté #defyhatenow convergera en ligne le 18 juin pour l’événement virtuel annuel.

Le #PeaceJam est une étape clé de #defyhatenow que nous avons marquée lors de la Journée internationale de la paix de l’ONU, célébrée le 21 septembre de chaque année. Nous avons depuis déplacé le #PeaceJam au 18 juin, cela correspond à la Journée internationale de lutte contre le discours de haine, en s’appuyant sur la stratégie et le plan d’action de l’ONU sur le discours de haine lancés le 18 juin 2019 pour contrer le discours de haine. Faire du “jam” pour la paix, c’est utiliser des stratégies improvisées pour construire la paix en se basant sur l’énergie générée par leurs propres expressions créatives plutôt que de s’appuyer sur des plans prédéterminés. Cette année, le sujet plus large #defyhatenow que nous espérons comprendre dans un effort pour contrer le discours de haine est : “Des espaces sûrs en ligne pour la sécurité numérique”.  Nous nous joignons aux Nations unies pour lutter contre la discrimination, la xénophobie et le discours de haine et nous augmentons nos efforts pour contrer le discours de haine, conformément au droit international des droits de l’homme. Plus d’information sur le #PeaceJam2023 ici.

En juillet 2021, l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies a souligné les préoccupations mondiales concernant “la propagation et la prolifération exponentielles des discours de haine” dans le monde et a adopté une résolution sur “la promotion du dialogue interreligieux et interculturel et de la tolérance dans la lutte contre les discours de haine”. La résolution a proclamé le 18 juin Journée internationale de la lutte contre le discours de haine, qui a été célébrée pour la première fois en 2022. Pour célébrer cette journée, les Nations unies invitent les gouvernements, les organisations internationales, les groupes de la société civile et les particuliers à organiser des événements et des initiatives visant à promouvoir des stratégies permettant d’identifier, de traiter et de contrer le discours de haine. 

Mobiliser l’action civique contre les discours de haine au Cameroun

L’initiative #defyhatenow est mise en œuvre au Cameroun par Civic Watch, une organisation communautaire dirigée par des jeunes. Financée par le ministère allemand des Affaires étrangères par l’intermédiaire de l’ONG r0g_agency for Open Culture and Critical Transformation, #defyhatenow vise à fournir des solutions communautaires, basées sur des données, au problème des discours de haine, de la désinformation et des fake news. Notre travail se concentre sur la création d’un cadre permettant d’instaurer la confiance entre les parties prenantes en mobilisant l’action civique contre toutes les formes de discours de haine et d’incitation à la violence en ligne et hors ligne.

À la lumière de ce qui précède, notre travail au mois de juin se concentre sur la création d’une plateforme pour la promotion de la cohésion sociale, la célébration de notre diversité et l’exposition de notre patrimoine culturel en tant que nation. Par le biais d’un appel à propositions de projets, la communauté #defyhatenow et ses partenaires organiseront une série d’activités. Du renforcement des capacités, de la sensibilisation des médias, des films, de l’art et de l’exposition culturelle aux initiatives de mobilisation communautaire, différentes parties du Cameroun vibreront au rythme de #PeaceJam2023. Un total de 20 organisations de base et associations de médias sélectionnées dans neuf localités engageront le public au cours des jours précédant le 18 juin, où nous prendrons conjointement une position publique contre #Hate, #Hatespeech et les vices qui en résultent comme la violence et l’extrémisme violent dans nos communautés respectives. 

Le septentrion est représenté par le Collectif des Jeunes pour la Paix et le Développement Durable basé à Maroua et Septentrion Check, un groupe de quatre journalistes vérificateurs de faits à Garoua. Le Nord-Ouest accueillera des activités à Bamenda menées par Pechuqui Laurata, Mbuh Stella Official et Nkwen Baptist Church Youth Fellowship, tandis qu’OJ Slim Media mobilisera la communauté de Wum.  À Buea, les amoureux de la paix participeront à des projets communautaires, artistiques et technologiques sous la bannière de Global Hand Cameroon, The Show Theatre Troupe, Goodwill Ambassadors of Hope, Digital Renter et ActivSpaces Cameroon. Une formation aux médias et une campagne de sensibilisation impliquant des journalistes de la région de l’Ouest sont en cours, gérées par le bureau régional de l’Ouest  du Cameroon Community Media Network (CCMN). L’association Better Future accueillera un dialogue interculturel et intergénérationnel à Nkongsamba, tandis que les associations basées à Douala, Tamtam Du Mboa, Association des Jeunes Entreprenants de Bonassama et Association Art & Vivre-Ensemble impliqueront les femmes, les jeunes et les enfants pendant plusieurs jours. La capitale, Yaoundé, se joindra également au mouvement national, à travers quatre initiatives différentes mises en œuvre par News Upfront Blog, AMKAY pour AMKAY Youth, Center for Youth Education and Economic Development – CYEED et Leading youth in Agriculture and nation building – LYIA-NB.

Objectifs :

• Mobiliser les membres de la communauté pour une série d’événements en ligne et hors ligne dans tout le pays visant à favoriser des espaces numériques sûrs.
• Fournir une plateforme pour des discussions en ligne sur la création d’espaces numériques sûrs et la sécurité numérique.
• Sensibiliser les communautés à la nécessité de favoriser la paix, l’acceptation et la cohésion sociale.
• Renforcer l’activisme et la résilience des communautés pour contrer les discours haineux et la violence (qui en résulte)
• Adopter une position ferme et publique contre la haine, conformément à la stratégie et au plan d’action des Nations unies contre les discours haineux.

Vous vous demandez comment participer ?

Table ronde virtuelle : “Des espaces sécurisés en ligne pour la sécurité numérique”

Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant à la session virtuelle #PeaceJam2023 alors que nous mobilisons les amoureux de la paix dans le monde entier pour dénoncer la haine le 18 juin 2023 à 14h00 Yaoundé / 15h Berlin / 16h Nairobi.

Téléchargez votre cadre photo #PeaceJam2023 ! 

Comme c’est la tradition chaque année depuis 2015, #defyhatenow Cameroun mobilisera notre communauté à la fois en ligne et hors ligne pour #peacejam2023. Une série d’actions hybrides combinées vers un #UnCamerounSans, où les membres de la communauté prennent une position audacieuse contre la haine, tout en favorisant les initiatives de paix dans leurs communautés respectives. Rejoignez-nous maintenant pour galvaniser le public à dire #NonALaHaine, tout en promouvant des espaces numériques sûrs pour tous les utilisateurs d’Internet !

1. Connectez-vous à https://frames.defyhatenow.org/   
2. Sélectionnez la langue préférée de votre cadre.
3. Téléchargez votre image. 
4. Voilà ! Téléchargez votre cadre #PeaceJam2023.
5. Participez à la campagne en ligne en postant vos photos en taguant  @defyhatenow_WCA &  @Civic Watch Cameroon en utilisant les # : #All4All #PeaceJam2023 #NonALaHaine #UnCamerounSansHaine !

Célébrez la Paix Avec Nous A Yaoundé : Citadelle de la Paix

A Yaoundé, nous vous invitons à nous rejoindre à la Place de l’Indépendance le samedi 17 juin de 8h à 20h. Nous commencerons la journée par une journée portes ouvertes #defyhatenow, aux côtés d’organisations partenaires qui ont manifesté leur intérêt pour exposer leur travail. Le public est invité à se joindre à nous à partir de 12h pour des activités socioculturelles, culinaires, artistiques et des performances publiques. Ce sera l’occasion de présenter notre travail de construction de la paix au Cameroun, nos ressources documentaires produites et d’éduquer le public sur les petits pas qu’il peut faire pour défendre les initiatives de paix à différents niveaux.

Êtes-vous intéressé à rejoindre l’événement #PeaceJam2023 à Yaoundé et à partager des idées sur vos efforts de consolidation de la paix ? Contactez-nous dès maintenant via cameroon@defyhatenow.org et obtenez un espace GRATUIT pour votre organisation !

#All4All, #PeaceJam2023, #defyhatenow #NonALaHaine #UnCamerounSansHaine 

An onsite sociocultural and artistic jamboree to hold in Yaounde on Saturday, while the entire #defyhatenow Community will converge online on June 18 for the annual virtual event.

The #PeaceJam is a key #defyhatenow milestone that we marked during the UN International Day of Peace, marked on September 21 every year. We have since moved the #PeaceJam to the 18th of June, this is in line with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, building on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech launched on June 18,  2019 to counter hate speech. To ‘jam’ for peace is using improvised strategies to build peace based on the energy generated by their own creative expressions rather than relying on predetermined plans. This year, the broader #defyhatenow topic we hope to understand in an effort to counter hate speech is: “Online safe spaces for digital security”.  We are joining the United Nations to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and increasing our efforts to counter Hate Speech, in line with international human rights law. Read complete information about #PeaceJam2023.

In July 2021, the UN General Assembly highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”. The resolution proclaimed June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which was marked for the first time in 2022. To observe the Day, the United Nations invites governments, international organisations, civil society groups, and individuals to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech. 

Mobilising Civic Action against HateSpeech in Cameroon

#defyhatenow initiative is implemented in Cameroon by Civic Watch, a youth-led and community-based organisation. Funded by the German Foreign Office through the Berlin-based NGO, r0g_agency for Open Culture and Critical Transformation, #defyhatenow aims to provide community-based, data-driven solutions to the problem of hate speech, misinformation and fake news. Our work focuses on creating a framework for building trust among stakeholders by mobilising civic action against all forms of hate speech and incitement to violence both online and offline.

In light of the above, our work in the month of June focuses on creating a platform for the promotion of social cohesion, celebration of our diversity and exhibition of our cultural heritage as a nation. Through a call for proposal of projects, #defyhatenow community and partners will be running a series of activities. From capacity building, mass media sensitisation, movies, #Tech4Peace, art and cultural display to community mobilisation initiatives, different parts of Cameroon will vibrate to the rhythm of #PeaceJam2023. A total of 20 grassroot organisations and media associations selected in nine locations will be engaging the public during the days leading to June 18, where we shall jointly take a public stance against #Hate, #Hatespeech and resultant vices like violence and violent extremism in our respective communities. 

The Northern part of the country is represented by Youth Collectif for Peace and Sustainable Development based in Maroua and Septentrion Check, a group of four factchecking journalists in Garoua. The North West will host activities in Bamenda led by Pechuqui Laurata, Mbuh Stella Official and Nkwen Baptist Church Youth Fellowship, while OJ Slim Media will mobilise Wum Community.  Peace lovers in Buea will participate in community, art and tech projects under the banner of Global Hand Cameroon, The Show Theatre Troupe, Goodwill Ambassadors of Hope, Digital Renter & ActivSpaces Cameroon. A media training and sensitisation campaign involving Journalists in the West Region are underway, run by Cameroon Community Media Network – CCMN West Chapter. Association Better Future will host an intercultural and intergenerational dialogue in Nkongsamba, while Douala-based associations, Tamtam Du Mboa, Association des Jeunes Entreprenants de Bonassama and Association Art & Vivre-Ensemble will engage women, youth and children for several days. The capital City, Yaounde, will equally join in the nationwide move, through four different initiatives implemented by News Upfront Blog, AMKAY pour AMKAY Youth, Center for Youth Education and Economic Development – CYEED and Leading youth in Agriculture and nation building – LYIA-NB.

Objectives:

• Mobilise community members for a series of online and offline events nationwide aimed at fostering safe digital spaces
• Provide a platform for online discussions on creating safe digital spaces and digital security
• Raise awareness at community levels on the need to foster peace, acceptance and social cohesion
• Building community activism and resilience towards countering hatespeech and (resultant) violence
• Take a firm and public stance against hate, in line with the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hatespeech

Are you wondering how to participate?

Virtual Panel Discussion: “Online safe spaces for digital security”

Register now for the virtual #PeaceJam2023 session as we mobilise peace lovers globally to denounce hate on June 18, 2023 at 14:00 hrs -16:00hrs Yaounde / 15:00 -17:00 hrs Berlin/Juba  16:00hrs – 18:00 hrs Nairobi/Addis Ababa time. Ahead of the one-hour insightful discussion with resource persons from Cameroon on the theme: “Online Safe Spaces for Digital Security ” reserve your seat & save the date by clicking here!

Upload your #PeaceJam2023 Photo frame! 

As is the tradition every year since 2015, #defyhatenow Cameroon will be mobilising our community both online and offline for #peacejam2023. A series of hybrid combined actions towards a #HateFreeCameroon, whereby community members take a bold stance against hate, while fostering peace initiatives in their respective communities. Join us now as we galvanise the public towards saying #NoToHate, while promoting Safe digital spaces for all internet users!

1. Log on to https://frames.defyhatenow.org/ 
2. Select your frame preferred language.
3. Upload your image. 
4. Voilà! Download your #PeaceJam2023 Frame
5. Join the campaign online by posting your photos tagging @defyhatenow_WCA & @Civic Watch Cameroon using the #s: #All4All #PeaceJam2023 #NoToHate #HateFreeCameroon!

Jam 4 Peace with Us in Yaounde: Citadel of Peace

In Yaounde, feel free to join us at the Independence Square on Saturday, June 17 from 8h to 20h. We will start the day with a #defyhatenow Open-Door Day, alongside partner organisations that have expressed interest in exhibiting their work. The public is hereby invited to join us from 12h for socio-cultural, culinary, artistic and public performance activities. This will be an opportunity to showcase our peacebuilding work in Cameroon, our produced resource materials and educate the public on small steps they can take to champion peace initiatives at different levels.Are you interested to join the #PeaceJam2023 event in Yaounde and share insights about your peacebuilding efforts? Contact us now via cameroon@defyhatenow.org and get a FREE space for your organisation!

Ce 28 avril, Civic Watch Cameroon et _r0g / Agency For Open Culture and Critical Transformation, en partenariat avec le Rainforest Center for Policy Research, organiseront un forum d’une journée avec des professionnels des médias visant à analyser les défis et les opportunités liés à la défense de la liberté d’expression et à la lutte contre les discours de haine dans les médias.

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This April 28, Civic Watch Cameroon and _r0g / Agency For Open Culture and Critical Transformation in partnership with the Rainforest Center for Policy Research, will host a one-day forum with media professionals aimed at analyzing challenges and opportunities related to defending free expression and combating hate speech in the media.

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