Education for social change in Cameroon

Background information

In Cameroon, corruption, rising living costs, unemployment and terrorist attacks by Boko Haram, in addition to the conflict in the Anglophone regions, threaten social cohesion. Cameroon's society is undergoing rapid change. A young, fast-growing population is moving from the countryside to the cities in search of work-often for nothing, even more so since the Corona pandemic and the conflict in the southwest. Both separatist groups in the Anglophone part and terrorist organizations like Boko Haram are becoming attractive to some Cameroonian youth without prospects because of their financial incentives and group dynamics. The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) aims to provide pastors and lay people with sound academic training and continuing education so that they can face the challenges in the country and at the same time have an active impact on society, particularly in the project area, which has been severely affected by the conflict. PUCA's innovative, interdisciplinary programs and approaches to eco-theology, peace and trauma healing in Yaoundé also empower students to become "agents of change" in their churches and communities.

Project goals

The primary aim of this project at PTS is to provide prospective pastors with a sound theological education. They are trained in contextual, ecumenically oriented theology for ministry in the PCC and to people in the wider community (congregation and social work). In the higher academic training (Master's, doctorate) in Protestant theology at PTS and PUCA, the central concern is critical and ecumenical learning across ethnic and denominational differences. The interdisciplinary exchange with researchers and students from other faculties as well as with other universities in Africa and Europe on peace and development, social sciences and international relations enriches the program. At the PUCA, a study program in eco-theology and courses in trauma healing are offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Medicine. The well-trained theologians are active as "agents of change" in Cameroonian society during and after their training. This enables them to tackle the major challenges posed by social change and the current conflict in Cameroon.

Target group

The students of PUCA (160 theology students, 300 in eco-theology) and PTS (64 students), their leadership and faculty, the laity and the students' partners are in focus.

Activities

The scope of duties primarily includes the following activities:

• "Bachelor of Theology's Program" & Master's Degree in Theology at PTS.
• Agrology courses, interdisciplinary events on traditional religions and a workshop on domestic violence for future pastors at PTS
• "Licence-Maîtrise-Doctorat Programme" at the PUCA
• Implementation of the "Eco-Theology" program at the PUCA

Project progress

In view of the crisis, investments were made in closer cooperation with the PUCA medical faculty. This has enabled the topic of pastoral care and "trauma healing" to become part of the training of future theologians. The population of the Anglophone regions, traumatized by civil war-like confrontations and fleeing in large numbers to the capital Yaoundé, will benefit from this knowledge. In addition, a program called "Eco-Theology" was developed in 2019, which covers the topics of agriculture, ecology and theology in theory and practice across disciplines. Women now make up around 30 percent of students. The same trend can be seen at the PUCA, where the proportion of women in some faculties is over 60 percent. The compatibility of career or education and family is made easier by the establishment of a crèche on campus, among other things. Despite the current crisis and the difficult conditions, the PTS is maintaining operations and theological training wherever possible.