Youth Actions for Development Foundation - YADEF

15/06/2026

Exciting News...

AND have launched a one week online campaign titled “My Voice Will Build Peace, Not Hate”.

As part of the implementation of our Connected Camero(o/u)n Project funded by the Goethe Institute Kamerun with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, YADEF and Civic Watch Cameroon have launched this one week online campaign as a build up to the commemoration of the International Day to Counter Hate Speech (18th June 2026).

The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed globally every year on June 18 after the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed the day in July 2021 by adopting Resolution 75/309. This day builds upon the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech which was initially launched on June 18, 2019.

With the first international observance on June 18, 2022, the initiative addresses the exponential spread of hate speech, xenophobia, racism and anti-tribal or ethnic hatred, which are heavily amplified by modern digital platforms.

Remember hate speech includes any communication in speech, writing, or behavior that uses pejorative or discriminatory language targeting a person or group based on identity factors such as religion or belief, race, color, or descent, ethnicity or nationality, gender or sexual orientation, etc. However, you can fight hate speech through;
- Education and enlightenment:- initiating open discussions with friends and family about the real-world harm caused by online and offline hateful content in our society
- Reporting:- utilize reporting tools on social media platforms to flag discriminatory algorithms and abusive content
- Counter-Speech:- Overwhelm toxic narratives by promoting positive messaging, inclusion, and media literacy, peace education, civic responsibility and good citizenship, etc.

To take action today and join the campaign, this official campaign link -
https://campaigns.defyhatenow.org/campaigns/my-voice-will-build-peace-not-hate?fbclid=IwY2xjawScwnRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyeEpoVG9WY3RWRW9tOHVBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHj4Jlr2n3PaVxcFdnYf7qsh3JDtoKzpxaEsDljA6AOuTex1PhAlf2p9pCw9n_aem_rzegm9aJOFTRGCrHGhX38Q

Then follow these steps;

* Upload your picture using our campaign frame
* Add a special message about why you chose over
* Download your frame and share online via social media platforms
* Amplify the reach by sharing the message and with your friends, love ones, course mates, neighbors, online forums, etc.

Continue to amplify your voice to shape and build the kind of communities we want to live in.

Don't forget, Connected Cameroon is an initiative of the Goethe Institute Kamerun with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Ebong Lovert Ewang

Njumbe Desire




Unesco Yaounde
Union européenne au Cameroun
Mbuh Stella official
Civic Watche
Ethical and Sustainable Future for All-ESFA
YouthFul Harvest
Mike Yanou Foundation
TeenAlive - Cameroon
Youth Advocates for Peace and Community Empowerment Cameroon "YAPCEC"
Peace Academy
Peace Corps
Peace Corps Cameroon

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

The digital space is a for all and we will keep amplifying our vioces to say no to hate speech in Cameroon.

Thank you of for your efforts in facilitating on a very strategic thematic - hate speech during our recent workshops on media/digital literacy in the North West and south West regions of Cameroon.

Please let's not pollute the digital space with hateful rhetorics.

Connected Cameroon is an initiative of the Goethe Institute Kamerun with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.




Ambassade d'Allemagne à Yaoundé
Goethe-Institut Kamerun
Civic Watch Cameroon
Union européenne au Cameroun
Unesco Yaounde
U.S. Embassy Yaounde
Ambassade de France au Cameroun
Ambassade de Suisse à Yaoundé / Embassy of Switzerland in Yaoundé
United Nations Cameroon
Ultimate Media Group, Bangem, Cameroon
UK in Cameroon
Intellectuals Magazine
Expertise France

26/05/2026

22/05/2026

Civic Watch Cameroon
Goethe-Institut Kamerun
Ambassade d'Allemagne à Yaoundé

Civic Watch Cameroon and Youth Actions for Development Foundation - YADEF Workshop on Combatting Hate Speech and Fostering Social Cohesion in Tombel-Cameroon. Read details below: https://hrlrc.org/2026/05/14/civic-watch-cameroon-and-yadef-workshop-on-combatting-hate-speech-and-fostering-social-cohesion-in-tombel-cameroon/

19/05/2026

Words have consequences. They can build up, but they can also cause real harm when used as weapons.

Today, we are mobilizing civic actions: let's stand united and say NO to hate speech in our communities.

Behind every screen is a real human being. What we share, like, and comment on directly shapes the world around us.

Instead of spreading negativity or divisive rhetoric, we can all make our social feeds a "no hate zone"

Hate speech creates toxic divides and causes real harm. But a culture of respect starts with us.

This initiative is part of the Connected Cameroon project of the Goethe Institute Kamerun with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Goethe-Institut Kamerun
Ambassade d'Allemagne à Yaoundé
Civic Watch Cameroon

19/05/2026

- The internet is not a law-free zone in Cameroon.

Law No 2016/007 of July, 12, 2016 relating to the penal code as amended addresses issues linked to defamation, false news, contempt, etc. in Cameroon.

You are accountable for what you post and share online.

There are severe legal implications if you share or post hate speech in Cameroon including prison sentence and heavy financial fines.

Build a truthful digital identity.

This initiative is part of the Connected Cameroon Project of the Goethe Institute Kamerun with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Goethe-Institut Kamerun
Civic Watch Cameroon
Ambassade d'Allemagne à Yaoundé

19/05/2026

Connected Camero(o/u)n Project - The Legal Intention Truthful (LIT) TEST.

Some insights by Legal Expert; Barrister TCHINDAP Haruna NYAYE, facilitator during the Capacity Strengthening on Media/Digital Literacy workshop in the Tombel, South West region of Cameroon.

According to Barrister Tchindap, social media users are advise to always apply the LIT Test before posting, sharing any content online. This is because of the following;

*Defamation i.e. telling lies against someone on Facebook, WhatsApp is not just a gossip, it is an offense (Law No 2016/007 of July, 12, 2016 )

*The 2010 Cyber security and Cybercrime law section No. 77 hit hard on anyone who incites contempt or hatred through electronics means ( Law No 2010/012 of 19 Dec 2010)

*You can face 1-2 years imprisonment and up to 3 million fine for offending an ethnic group ( The 2019 amendment to law No 2016/007)

Within the framework of our project - Mobilizing Civic Action to Counter Misinformation, Violent Extremism and Hate Speech Online and Offline in Cameroon, Civic Watch Cameroon and YADEF are engaging youths and social media users to always , and to only post or share content that builds our nations.

Don't forget, you are accountable for all what you post and share online.

Hate speech, fake news, contempt, misinformation, disinformation, etc. are punishable by Cameroon Laws.

Together let's promote a safe digital space in Cameroon.

The Connected Cameroon project is an initiative of the Goethe Institute Kamerun with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.



Goethe-Institut Kamerun
Ambassade d'Allemagne à Yaoundé
Civic Watch Cameroon

19/05/2026

On the 8th of May 2026, and organized a workshop in titled Capacity Strengthening on Media/Digital Literacy.

This capacity strengthening engaged youths, journalists, social media users, influencers, youth leaders, civil societies, local media stakeholders, etc. on how to consume media in today's world.

Our training agenda included;

*Why media literacy matters today?
*Digital rights in action: using social media for advocacy
*Think before you click: using social media to combat misinformation
*Understanding and responding to online hate speech
*Ethical use of AI
*Hate speech and the law: knowing rights and limits online
* etc.

A big thank you to all our facilitators and resource persons who diligently engaged participants on different thematic of media literacy.

Using group work, participants learned how social media serves as a strategic tool for advocacy to influence change in the community.

Some legal key take home according to one of our resource persons - Barrister TCHINDAP Haruna NYAYE included;

*Your phone is neither just a communication garget nor your computer just a working tool, it is regarded as a broadcasting station
*Digital rights are not technological concepts; they are human rights in digital suit
*You have the right of expression (Freedom of Speech) but the rights are not blank checks
*Social media can build a nation ( Fund raising for a sick child, awareness and mobilization to force policy change etc.) or burn down a nation` ( inciting tribal or religious conflicts)
*The 2010 Cyber security and Cybercrime law section No 77 hit hard on anyone who incites contempt or hatred through electronics means in Cameroon
*You can face 1-2 years imprisonment and up to 3 million fine for offending an ethnic group
*Defamation i.e. telling lies against someone on Facebook, WhatsApp is not just a gossip, it is an offense. It damages the person’s reputation
*While the law provides for a free speech, its application is restricted by legislation regarding public order and national security which render online and offline citizens of the state limited
*Digital rights are meant to empower us to hold local and national leaders accountable even the most tyrannical and build real business not to destroy our town, nation or neighbors
*Clean your digital house. Delete the hate, the obscene, report the droll (uproar) and engage your platform for advocacy not animosity
*Advocacy without legal awareness is just an intentional trouble
*etc.

At the end of the day, our participants expectations and training objectives were achieved.

Don't forget, the Connected Cameroon Project is an initiative of the Goethe Institute Cameroon supported by the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Goethe-Institut Kamerun
Ambassade d'Allemagne à Yaoundé
Civic Watch Cameroon
Unesco Yaounde
Union européenne au Cameroun
Ethical and Sustainable Future for All-ESFA
Ambassade de France au Cameroun
Ambassade de Suisse à Yaoundé / Embassy of Switzerland in Yaoundé