Peace, Social Cohesion: Colloquium Opens Today In Yaounde

P romoting peaceful social cohesion and harmonious living together in Came­ roon is a priority for the government especially in the face of some recent socio-political ten­ sions. In addition, there are aspects which serve as pillar to inclusive and sustainable development in the country. It is thus against this back­ drop that the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism will in the next two days organise a colloquium on the theme, “Religions and the pro­ motion of peace, social cohesion and living together in Cameroon.” Placed under the distinguished pa­ tronage of the President of the Re­ public, the two-day event opens today October 7th at the Yaounde Conference Centre. Participants in­ clude experts in intra and inter-re­ ligious conflicts, university profes­ sors, representatives of international organisations based in the country, government ministries in charge of managing religions and their impact on society, as well as civil society organisations, just to name some. According to a press release by the Secretary General of the Commis­ sion, Dr. Chi Asafor Conelius, the objective of the colloquium is to raise awareness among members of the national community on the potential risk posed by certain reli­ gions and their practices to the promotion of social harmony, social cohesion and the preservation of peace in Cameroon. This is so be­ cause religious communities in Ca­ meroon play a crucial role in shaping social harmony, moral education, and inter-community dialogue, while also face challenges related to fa­ naticism and regional divisions. In­ deed, churches, mosques, and spi­ ritual bodies act as foundational pillars for teaching discipline, bro­ therhood, and non-violent conflict resolution in the society. But when words from the Holy Book are being misinterpreted or taug...