The journey towards a peaceful society starts with the rejection of hate. This message has been central to messages delivered by Ngala Desmond Ngala, Country Project Manager of #defyhatenow across Cameroon and rechoed recently during the International Day of Peace. This remarks generally summarize the essence of the Defyhate campaign, which is dedicated to building hate-free communities across Cameroon and Africa, promoting unity both online and offline.
As intercommunal conflicts, political instability, and climate crises intensify across Africa, peacebuilding can seem like a daunting task. However, Ngala stressed during an event to mark thehe International day for peace that the power to make a difference lies within every individual indicating that mobilizing civic action to counter violent extremism in both online and offline spaces is a crucial step towards fostering a culture of peace.
This year, the Defyhate campaign partnered with the Pan African University Institute of Governance, Humanities, and Social Sciences (PAUGHSS) to observe the International Day of Peace under the theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The campaign's mission is clear: peace is not just an abstract concept but an active process that begins with addressing hate in all its forms. Whether in local communities or digital platforms, the initiative seeks to create environments of empathy and unity.
To better observe the day, PAUGHSS and #defyhatenow held a virtual session, bringing together students, civic leaders, and peace advocates from across Cameroon. The session explored various ways to promote peace at different societal levels and marked the beginning of a strategic partnership that will culminate in an onsite event. This event will bring together experts from government, civil society, and academia to discuss collaborative peace efforts.
Reflecting on the broader objectives of #defyhatenow, Ngala highlighted the campaign's success in building movements like #HateFreeCameroon, aimed at combating the spread of hate speech. Digital platforms, which are powerful tools for connection, have also become spaces where hate and division proliferate. The initiative strives to reverse this trend by fostering understanding and unity.
The partnership between PAUGHSS and #defyhatenow inspires hope. With students from across Africa, PAUGHSS provides a platform for the cultural understanding and inclusivity necessary to foster peace across the continent. Professor Christopher Nsoh Ndikum, Academic Registrar of PAUGHSS, reaffirmed that peace is an essential value for every society and must be collectively nurtured.
As the work continues, #defyhatenow according to its leadership remains committed to challenging hate speech and extremism, working closely with young people, activists, and institutions. Through collective action, the campaign envisions a peaceful society built on empathy, mutual respect, and civic responsibility.