Civic Training: Impact Remains Elusive

T he Director-General of the National Civic Participation Service for Development announced in Yaounde last week, during a press conference, the launch of the 2026 programme to train 1,500 young people across all ten regions of the country. The civic service training programme will focus on instilling a sense of national identity and patriotism, fostering civic-mindedness, pro­ moting a culture of peace, and upholding the dignity of work. After several years of its implementation, one is yet to feel the real impact of its mission. Initiated by the government 13 years ago to instil sound moral values and a sense of responsibility in young people, the pro­ gramme appears to have produced mixed results. Increa­ singly, young people are reported to be involved in acts of delinquency, including vandalism, cybercrimes and drug use. In addition, the exemplary conduct expected of those who complete the programme, and who are meant to serve as ambassa­ dors in their homes and com­ munities, is yet to be widely felt. After 2005, the government took a bold step to address the moral, civic, intellectual and vocational education of young people in the country. The intention was to shift youth policy beyond sport and recreation, towards economic integration and active citizenship. To that end, a Presidential decree in 2007 established the National Civic Service Agency for Parti­ cipation in Development. This structure was designed to provide a formal channel through which young people could take part in nation-building via civic projects, vo­ lunteering and self-employment. The creation of this structure over a decade ago was considered timely, par­ ticularly as it coincided with international calls for greater youth participation. Amongst other reports, the 2007 World Development Report and UN discussions at the time emphasized “active citizenship” for young people through practical training, civic engagement, and second chances to prevent their drift into drugs, violence or ex­ tremism. Meant to tackle concerns around civic values for youths, the programme was designed with a developmental pur­ pose: to shape young people into responsible citizens and ambassadors for good causes within their communities. After 13 years, it is clear that youth service training has not yet produced the expected results. The framework is in place, but translating policy into outcomes has proven difficult. Gaps in resources, coordination, and fol­ low-up have shown that few young people benefit from the civic and vocational components envisaged in 2007. Training some 1,500 youths a year is relatively small as compared to the total population of the country where youth are the majority and most of them are never selected for the training. Even after the training, follow- up is another problem as there is no clarity as to what happens after. Jobs are not guaranteed, and without funding for post-service projects, many of the young people struggle to apply what they learned. Some youths see the programme more like a political tool rather than a career pathway or that which can help them to become better citizens in the country. To some youths, the training is more civic and symbolic than economic. The impact so far depends a lot on the quality of trainers i...