On May 6, 2026, the Hervé Bourges Amphitheater at the Advanced School of Mass Communication – ASMAC in Yaounde became a hub of intellectual exchange as 200 final-year Corporate Communication students, known as the “SEPHIROTH” batch, hosted their inaugural academic conference.
This landmark event brought together students, communication experts, and academics to explore the theme: “Risk Communication: Innovative strategies and ethics in awareness and humanitarian interventions.” The gathering served as a strategic reflection on the global humanitarian crises currently challenging the international community.
The conference featured a high-level panel moderated by Viviane Bessala, Sales and Marketing Director and journalist at InfoTV. For over four hours, students engaged in a dynamic dialogue with representatives from prestigious international organizations, including Plan International Cameroon, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). These experts provided the 13th batch of students with professional insights into the sophisticated strategies used to navigate complex humanitarian landscapes.
A focal point of the discussions was “Ethical Storytelling,” presented by Nsah Juli-Collette Bingsiisy of Plan International. She emphasized that safeguarding is a non-negotiable pillar of their operations, asserting that no amount of urgency justifies putting a child or young person at risk—whether physically or digitally. The presentation underscored that ethical communication in crisis zones must prioritize human dignity over the pressure for rapid visibility or viral content.
Central to this ethical framework is the principle of informed consent. Nsah Juli-Collette explained that capturing the stories of affected communities requires age-appropriate, voluntary, and ongoing consent. This rigorous approach ensures that the collection of photos, videos, and testimonials remains transparent and respectful. Other sessions further expanded on this by discussing how to combat disinformation, influence public policy, and build institutional credibility within vulnerable communities.
Representing the Director of ASMAC, Secretary General Alain Assomo highlighted the pedagogical value of the event. He noted that the conference was designed as a practical exercise, allowing students to transition from theoretical classroom knowledge to the “real-world” management of public relations, event logistics, and sponsorship mobilization. This hands-on experience is a vital component of their three-year educational journey at the institution.
As the event concluded, Aissatou Amadou, the Public Relations Officer for SEPHIROTH, expressed immense satisfaction with the support received from partners like Camtel and various UN agencies. This successful debut has set a high standard for the school, paving the way for a recurring series of academic conferences scheduled to take place every Wednesday and Friday on the ASMAC campus.
