The esplanade of the National Museum in Yaoundé served as the venue for the celebration of the 16th edition of French Volunteering Day – JVF on October 8, 2026.
Held under the theme “Volunteering at the service of Sustainable Development: An ambition for 2030 and beyond,” the event was presided over by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou.
Achille Valéry Mengo, the National Representative of France Volontaires in Cameroon, recalled that this edition comes in a special context, marked by the United Nations’ proclamation of 2026 as the “International Year of Volunteers.” The event also serves as a key stepping stone leading up to the IVCO 2026 World Volunteering Conference scheduled in Paris.
Through panel discussions, exhibitions, and academic exchanges, the JVF aims to highlight the impact of volunteering on local development, human capital strengthening, and economic empowerment.
Representing the French Ambassador to Cameroon, the Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action commended the dedication of Cameroonian volunteers in France while expressing a desire to see their numbers increase. Furthermore, he reaffirmed France’s readiness to support the initiatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education – MINJEC regarding volunteer programs.
Presiding over the ceremony, Minister Mounouna Foutsou presented volunteering as a vital lever for public policy, socio-economic integration, national cohesion, and civic participation. He highlighted the ongoing initiatives of the National Volunteering Program and PRONEC-REAMORCE, as well as the new memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 with France Volontaires to enhance mobility and reciprocal volunteer pathways. In response to the request from French officials, the Minister instructed his staff to ensure an effective increase in the number of Cameroonian volunteers deployed to France.
A guided tour of the exhibition booths brought the celebration to a close, symbolizing a shared commitment to volunteering as a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and beyond.
