Technical Peace-Builder (Tech4Peace) Fellowship in Cameroon

Using technology to bring peace to a community involves leveraging innovative tools and approaches to address  issues, foster dialogue, and promote social cohesion.

#defyhatenow believes that training students in using technology to build peace is a great way of bringing communities together since the internet has made the world a global village. As technical peacebuilders, fellows will be introduced and taught how to change narratives in a community through communication and information sharing, digital storytelling, and online education and training. This will allow technical students and professionals to support community action programs in conflict zones and enhance their involvement efforts.

Objective

• The #Tech4Peace fellowship aims to build a network of technical peace builders by enabling recently graduated university students and young technical experts to engage with #defyhatenow communities through technical community outreach opportunities in design, tech development, AI and digital content creation, and hardware.

Methodology

• The program is based on a blended learning model using webinars, practical lessons, peer-to-peer learning, and on-the-ground practical work in select hubs and with assigned community organizations.
• Fellows will participate in four months of hands-on engagement, beginning with one month of digital peacebuilding, opposing disinformation, and combating hate speech.
• Then spend another month of peer learning to improve technical skills.
• After that, they will be assigned to matched community organizations for two months, where they will not only give their hard talents to the organization but will also learn about community engagement from the host.
• During the two learning months, fellows will have access to the Hubs, where they will engage with peers, use hardware toolkits, and participate in online learning courses.

Who can apply?

• Recent graduates and professionals  who poses skills in either of the following areas and would like to engage by supporting community impact projects:
  • Creative & Graphics Design
  • Website development
  • AI & digital content creation.
  • Hardware design and development.
• Age
  • 17-22
  • 23-28
  • 29-40
• Location
  • Be located in or able to access either of the following regions:
    • North-West region
    • South-West region
    • Extreme North region
    • Centre region
  • The fellowship will involve partly physical engagement in either of their select hubs located in; Bamenda, Buea, Maroua, or Yaounde.
• Conditions
  • Be available throughout the training
  • Understand English and French
  • Own a working smartphone and laptop
  • Be computer literate.

For more information, visit #Defyhatenow.