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!
- Log on to https://frames.defyhatenow.org/
- Select your frame preferred language.
- Upload your image.
- Voilà! Download your #PeaceJam2023 Frame
- 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 [email protected] and get a FREE space for your organisation!
