. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .
An article in Le Quotidien
On August 17, nearly a hundred young volunteers from Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau gathered for the 19th edition of the Red Cross International Twinning Camp. Under the theme “United Youth, Violence Banished,” these first responders are engaging in training sessions, civic actions, and cultural exchange to promote peace in a sub-region facing rising levels of antisocial behavior.
Vélingara served as the capital of peace and solidarity for the day.
Faced with a resurgence of brawls involving bladed weapons, tensions surrounding distorted traditions like the *Kankourang*, and political incivility, the Red Cross chose to respond through civic engagement. The Departmental Prefect presided over the official opening ceremony on August 17, joined by patrons, numerous guests, and around a hundred young volunteers aged 2 to 35.
Coming from Dakar, Ziguinchor, Sédhiou, and Kolda—as well as neighboring countries like The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau—these young people transformed Vélingara into a hub of integration.
In his address, the Prefect highlighted the significance of the event: “Vélingara is a living symbol of grassroots sub-regional integration.
Through this twinning initiative, the town reaffirms its vocation as a land of refuge, peace, and solidarity.” “Our states share administrative borders, but our peoples share a common history, shared cultures, and identical challenges—such as managing migration flows or climate crises.”
(article continued in right column)
Can a culture of peace be achieved in Africa through local indigenous training and participation?
(article continued from left column)
A mix of first aid, environmental action, and leadership training
On the ground, the volunteers were kept busy. The packed program combined health awareness, civic engagement, and personal development: HIV/AIDS screening sessions and a community cleanup day (*set-setal*) at the Sinthiang Houlata neighborhood market; courtesy visits to families living near the camp to promote a culture of peace; the construction of eco-friendly benches for the host school; and public first-aid simulations accompanied by leadership workshops designed to hone young people’s public speaking skills. The event also featured an integration day—complete with the playing of national and Red Cross anthems—as well as sports competitions and cultural evenings showcasing regional diversity.
Civic engagement versus the disengagement of elected officials
While the event was a resounding success in human terms, the organizers had to overcome significant logistical hurdles. Crossing the Gambian border proved complicated due to the lack of parental consent forms for several minors.
However, the local Red Cross leaders’ deepest regret concerns the lack of support from policymakers. Not a single mayor in the area responded favorably to requests for financial or material assistance. The supervisors lamented this lack of gratitude—albeit diplomatically—noting that these same local authorities frequently rely on volunteer first responders for their own events without ever providing funding.
Despite these obstacles, the camp stands out as an essential strategic tool. By standardizing intervention methods and establishing cross-border relief networks, these young people demonstrate that solidarity remains the best defense against the slide into violence.
– – – – – –
If you wish to make a comment on this article, you may write to coordinator@cpnn-world.org with the title “Comment on (name of article)” and we will put your comment on line. Because of the flood of spam, we have discontinued the direct application of comments.