The document discusses the Queen's message on Commonwealth Day, focusing on building peace within the Commonwealth. The Queen calls for respect, understanding, justice, reconciliation, appreciation of history, and collaboration between members. She emphasizes long-term cooperation in a spirit of goodwill to create a peaceful future for all citizens. The document then discusses principles of peacebuilding, including inclusion, trust-building, long-term commitment, and ensuring marginalized groups are involved. It argues the University of Dschang should play a more active role in peacebuilding efforts in Cameroon during its current social unrest and conflict situation.

1. COMMONWEALTH DAY COMMEMORATION
A READING AND ANALYSES OF THE QUEEN’S MESSAGE OF 13 MARCH 2017
BY DR. AFUTENDEM LUCAS NKWETA
THEME: A PEACE-BUILDING COMMONWEALTH
Her Majesty The QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth said baton will move out from
London to all countries and villages in member states of the commonwealth. It will visit
peoples living in the nations and territories of the commonwealth. A Batonbearer will share
the dream and carry with pride the spirit of the Games embracing the diversity and values of
the Commonwealth. They will inspire others with their passion and commitment to sport and
community and be excited to represent and promote the Commonwealth Games and goals.Of
importance is the fact that the baton will connect millions of people of all ages and
background and above all it will contain a message to be opened at the next Commonwealth
Games in Australia. It will be the peace building message. She reiterates that peace building
lies respect and understanding for one another. Working together in the collective and
dynamic spirit we build peace by defending the dignity of every one in the community.
Thirdly she recommends and upholds that justice and rule of law we work for a society that is
fair and offer opportunities for all. We can overcome division and conflicts by seeking
reconciliation. In this way the benefits of progress, development and prosperity will be
multiplied and shared to all.
Her Majesty moves on to the fourth element which is the history and heritage of the
people. We have to be thankful and proud of our inheritance that we have received from
people who came before us. Where there are conflicts we have to proceed through consensus
and cooperation so that great and greater things can be achieved.
Lastly, she invites all to continue to collaborate with each other in a spirit of good will to
build a peaceful and abundant future for all citizens. In this way we shall find reward and
fulfilment.
Considering the present state of the affaires in Cameroon, we rightly say that Her
Majesty was addressing Cameroon. The current crisis situation between Anglophone
Cameroon and the government is constructed and reconstructed on inheritance. We will gain
much on both sides if we remain united and work within the principles of free
This is in line with the Commonwealth Charter principle which states: “International
peace and security, sustainable economic growth and development and the rule of law are
essential to the progress and prosperity of all.” The charter also acknowledges the role of
civil society in supporting the goals and values of the commonwealth.
The commonwealth affirms and reaffirms our core commonwealth principles of
consensus and common action, mutual respect, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability,
legitimacy, responsiveness and we all, with our Vice Chancellor add Collective dynamism.
The core value sand principles of the Commonwealth as declared by the charter are:
1. Democracy
2. Human rights
3. International peace
4. Tolerance, Respect and understanding
5. Freedom of Expression
6. Separation of Powers
7. Rule of law
8. Good governance
9. Sustainable development

2. 10. Protecting the environment
11. Access to Health Education
12. Gender Equality
13 Importance of young people in the commonwealth
14. Recognition of the needs of small states
15. Recognition of the needs of vulnerable people
16. The role of civil society
We have to remain committed to ensuring that the commonwealth is an effective
association, responsive to members’ needs and capable of addressing the significant global
challenge of the future. We aspire to a commonwealth that is a strong ad respected voice in
the world, speaking out on major issues; that strengthens and enlarges its networks; that has a
global relevance and profile and that is devoted to improving the lives of the all peoples of the
commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Heads of Governments and Ministerial meetings operate through
consensus building on difficult issues. They try to be impartial to the extent of being
responsible to the collectivity of member states and must not favour the interests of one group
against another. The officers work on the general will of the people.
What is Peacebuilding?
We understand peacebuilding as a process of strengthening a society’s capacity to
manage conflict in non-violent ways. It is a process that facilitates the establishment of
durable peace and tries to prevent the recurrence of violence by addressing root causes and
effects of conflict through reconciliation, institution building, and political as well as
economic transformation.
Conflict is natural in society and can lead to positive change. However, it can also
descend into violence of appropriate Peacebuilding initiatives are not engaged. We have to
work to enhance trust between individuals and between groups in a Cameroon, beginning
with out families, colleagues and staff, classmates and university. We also have to restore the
legitimacy of state institutions and work towards a conduicive atmosphere to enable all
children in all parts of he country to go to school and with internet facilities. Peacebuilding is
about bringing together the different actors that are engaged in the rebuilding of a country that
happened to be in a crisis.
People from inside and outside a conflict-affected country need to work together to
understand their different views, define priorities. This will enable a better alignment of
national policy-making, external assistance, and local priorities. We strongly believe that
peacebuilding is about deep, long-term transformations. This requires an integrated approach
engaging a diverse range of actors.
Principles of Peacebuilding
We put people at the centre of building lasting peace. While every situation is different, the
following principles guide our approach. Exclusion or marginalization of key groups of
society making up the country sows the seeds for renewed violence, deepening resentment
and giving them the opportunity to undermine the process. Our peacebuilding programmes
should be designed to include participants from across society – even those who are
typically overlooked or seen as difficult to engage with. This inclusive approach ensures that a
broad base of social groups share a sense of ownership and responsibility for
reconciliation and the rebuilding of their society.

3. Inclusion engages all parties in a process of change and begins to build bridges of
understanding. This, in time, enables the society collectively to move towards moderation and
compromise.
Trust and confidence are the glue that hold relationships, societies, and economies
together. Violent conflict results in the breakdown of trust and that is why rebuilding it is a
core element of our approach. By working with all sectors and levels of society to develop a
common vision for the future, we contribute to increased mutual understanding and
the rebuilding of trust.
Conflict tears apart the fabric of societies. Mistrust colours all relationships, including
between people and their leaders. In such contexts, even small problems can escalate into
wide-scale violence. Trust gives institutions lasting legitimacy and helps individuals
and groups remain engaged in the long and arduous process of building lasting peace.
Long-term commitment
Building lasting peace is a long-term commitment. Transforming the way a society
deals with conflict is a complicated process that cannot be achieved instantly and the parties
should understand. Our peacebuilding efforts take this into account and are designed as long-
term initiatives. Building lasting peace takes time. The road to peace is bumpy,
long, unpredictable and anything but straight. Support of local efforts must be patient and
consistent.
Inclusive Peacebuilding
The root of many conflicts across the world can be traced to exclusion. We believe
that by working to lessen the distance that can exist between the state and wider society a
durable peace can be built. Interpeace believes that it is important to ensure that all
individuals and groups – particularly those who are frequently or feel marginalized, such as
youth and women – are brought in to the peacebuilding process.
Peacebuilding is a complex process which cannot be monopolized by one single group
– there must be inclusivity at all stages, from the top to the very bottom. Otherwise the peace
that is constructed will not last, nor will it be just.
We believe that standing against the trend of exclusion in society requires a concerted
effort to ensure inclusivity at all levels of the peacebuilding process, with particular attention
to marginalized groups, so that all opinions, interests and needs can be considered. In short, a
just and sustainable peace cannot be built without the inclusion of all.
Wherever we live in the Commonwealth, we can always benefit from being open to the ideas
and encouragement of those around us. Each of us can also make a positive difference in the
lives of others by being willing to contribute and offer support.
This is an essential ingredient of belonging to the Commonwealth: the willingness to
share, to exchange and to act for the common good. By including others, drawing on
collective insights, knowledge and resources, and thinking and working together, we lay the
foundations of a harmonious and progressive society. The greater the diversity of those
included in such a shared enterprise, the greater the gains. Each of us has cause to celebrate
the sense of belonging expressed in our 2017 theme.
In a country that is facing social unrest resulting to conflict, the role that most of the private
and public universities have play in peacebuilding is still reticent, because in most of the cases
for these actors, and in general for the Cameroonian society and state, it is not clear which
should be their role in this kind of context.
The University of Dschang should take a leading and a more active and visible role in
peacebuilding and reconciliation processes, through activities not only limited to conferences

4. but the institution moving ahead to reconstruct the social foundations of communities.
Besides, the preoccupation for the country’s political and social situation, which at the same
time is determined by the dynamics of conflict, should provide us with opportunities to create
and lead efforts and actions for building peace that goes beyond the academic level. Through
these actions, the university also becomes a decisive actor on the mentioned processes.
Part of the peacebuilding and reconciliation processes effectiveness in
countries that have faced or are facing conflict situations, depends from the role that local
actors can take on them. In this way, from the universities have emerged questions
about the role that private sector, local businessman and civil actors should lead in
peacebuilding.
On our part, the English and Commonwealth Unit in the Department of Applied
Foreign Languages has in the past six years been carrying out excursions to the two
Anglophone regions of Cameroon. The students of level and three in collaboration with their
parents and the department each year select towns to visit. Families volunteer to receive the
delegation. Apart from sightseeing, cultural immersion and shared lifestyles we enjoy
common meals and return to Dschang fresher than ever before.
At this moment of misunderstandings it is time hierarchy should step and empower the
commonwealth students to pursue the initiative and this time around with peace building
messages and actions. I plead on the Vice Chancellor to support the students with University
of Dschang track suits that can identify the 250 students and showcase our institution as a
focal point for peacebuilding.
The university of Dschang from its privileged position is currently hosting
about 1000 displaced youths from the south West and North West Regions. These students
here are their hosts and they in living in deplorable conditions. Something has to be done.
Furthermore a NANFOSSO COLLECTIVE DYNAMISM AND PEACE BUILDING
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE should be organized in the near future to bring stake
holder together to try to bring stability in the country. I propose 17 and 18 May 2017.
The Commonwealth believes in starting small. We can begin the long walk for peace
here and in this hall. Thanks for your kind attention.