Au Hilton Hôtel hier samedi 24 mai 2025, le Ministre Mounouna Foutsou du ministère de la jeunesse et de l’éducation civique a pris la parole, à l’occasion de la soirée de gala commémoratif du 10ème anniversaire de Mandela Washington Fellowship. Devant un parterre d’invités de marque, voici l’intégralité de son allocution.
Your Excellency, the American Ambassador to Cameroon,Distinguished Members of Government and the Diplomatic Corps,Esteemed President and Members of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association,To our newest cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows,Parents, Guardians, Friends,Ladies and Gentlemen,Dear Youths.
It is with immense pride and profound joy that I stand before you today, on this auspicious occasion marking the 10th Anniversary of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association here in Cameroon. Ten years! A decade of impactful leadership, dedicated service, and transformative change spearheaded by this remarkable association. To the pioneers who laid its foundation, and to all who have nurtured its growth, I extend the heartfelt gratitude of the Government of the Republic.
Your commitment has been unwavering, and your contributions, invaluable.Allow me first of all, to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Christopher LAMORA, Ambassador of the United States to Cameroon, for the constant support he continues to provide to young people with a view for their development.Today, however, holds a special significance, as we gather not only to celebrate a decade of achievements, but also to officially send off a new generation of promising young Cameroonians, I should say, veritable indomitable lions and lionesses in their respective domains, who are about to embark on a 6 WEEKS life-changing journey to the USA. To you, our newest Ambassadors, our indomitable lions and lionesses, please rise up!
These are champions who were selected out of more than 6000 candidates. Please, receive my warmest congratulations!You have earned this incredible opportunity through your exceptional talent, your unwavering dedication, and your demonstrable potential to lead and innovate. You are, in essence, the chosen few, the cream of the crop, and we are immensely proud of you.
As you prepare to depart for the United States of America, I urge you to embrace this experience with an open mind and a hungry spirit. Be sponges, absorbing every lesson, every perspective, and every interaction. Engage critically, question constructively, and learn voraciously.
Remember that you are not just individuals on an academic trip; you are ambassadors of Cameroon, you are PRONEC-REAMORCE AMBASSADORS, you are indomitable lions and lionesses. Carry our rich culture, our vibrant fighting spirit known as cameroonian HEMLE, and our unwavering commitment to peace and progress with you. Show the world, the best of what Cameroon has to offer. “the Continent that we are, the continent in you”.But beyond the learning and the networking, beyond the professional development, I want you to remember your fundamental purpose: As the Head of State, H.E. PAUL BIYA, advises our youths of the diaspora to return to Cameroon and be catalysts for positive change.
The skills you will acquire, the knowledge you will gain, and the networks you will build, are not just for your personal advancement but for your Fatherland Cameroon. We expect you to bring back innovative ideas, best practices, and a renewed sense of purpose, to address the challenges facing our communities and our nation.As you prepare to cross oceans and embark on this incredible adventure, know that the entire nation stands behind you. We believe in your potential, and we eagerly await your return, ready to welcome you back as even more formidable leaders, like your elders, united within the CNJC and the CONEP, ready to contribute to the ongoing development of our beloved Cameroon.
Go forth, learn, grow, and make us proud. We look forward to celebrating your future successes and witnessing the positive impact you will undoubtedly have on our nation.To the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association,Thank you for your unwavering commitment to nurturing this spirit, for your continued dedication to building a stronger Cameroon, and for being such exemplary role models, for these new Fellows.
Your association is a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring impact of this fellowship.Excellences, Mesdames et messieurs,Chers jeunes,J’ai tenu à participer personnellement à cette soirée, pour vous adresser, au nom du Gouvernement de la République et à mon nom propre, mes plus chaleureuses félicitations à l’ensemble des boursiers ici présents, anciens comme nouveaux. Vous incarnez l’élite engagée d’une jeunesse camerounaise tournée vers l’innovation, le leadership et le changement positif que mon département Ministériel promeut à travers le leadership, la vie associative, le programme Youth Connekt Cameroon et surtout le PRONEC-REAMORCE.
À cet égard, je vous exhorte à rendre votre parcours inspirant autour de vous. Je vous encourage également à poursuivre dans cette dynamique d’excellence, en demeurant des modèles de citoyenneté active et des partenaires stratégiques pour la construction d’un Cameroun plus juste, plus entreprenant et plus uni.
Je m’engage et instruit mes services à l’instant, de désormais suivre, accompagner et même financer vos projets au retour dans le cadre du PARI-JEDI et du guichet DIALYJ du FOGAJEUNE ; Pour que :Vive la jeunesse camerounaise,Vive la Coopération Cameroun-USA,Vive le Cameroun et Son Illustre Chef de l’Etat, S.E.M. PAUL BIYA.
Source: celcom MINJEC