Jealously Guarding “The Most Precious Thing Society Has”

 
The endeavor continues. This time, taking a sub-regional dimension. All in a bid to entrench the culture of respect for their rights. After the Universities of Dschang, Yaounde II, Yaounde I, and only last week, the University of Bertoua, it was the turn of the Catholic University of Central Africa, CUCA, Yaounde. On Wednesday May 28, 2025. For the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF to sign yet another Memorandum of Understanding, MOU. On the promotion of child rights and the inauguration of a child rights centre in the Ekounou, Yaounde campus of the Catholic University of Central Africa.

Jesus’ Great Concern
“The child is the future of Africa and humanity. The opening of the Child Rights Centre comes at a time the rights of children are trampled upon in Cameroon and all over the world,” said Rev. Father Prof. Thomas Bienvenu Tchoungui, Rector of the University of the Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde. He recalled that the Holy See has embarked on reforms to fight child abuse, urging the public never lose sight of Jesus’ saying: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14. 

Great Experience To Share 
Prof. Tchoungui noted that the centre will assure mutual cooperation between the Catholic University of Central Africa and UNICEF. With CUCA bringing to the agreement the Catholic church’s experience in child rights that dates back thousands of years – what Pope Paul VI described as “expert in humanity.”
“Since the times of Jesus Christ when he said little children be allowed to come to him, and that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who resemble children, Jesus thus became one of the first defenders of child rights. Both sides will share their experiences in the protection of child rights as there is much abuse of child rights these days,” Rev. Father Prof. Thomas Bienvenu Tchoungi stated.   

Collective Responsibility 
According to Mrs. Nadine Perrault, UNICEF Cameroon Country Representative, the protection of child rights is a collective responsibility. She disclosed that 2025 is a special year for UNICEF in the sub-region because it is dedicated to the girl child. And that a child-friendly municipality outreach will be launched in the country in the coming days.

Sub-regional Hub
“The partnership is very important as it is the first of kind in Central Africa. Being a sub-regional institution, the Catholic University of Central Africa’s child rights centre will also serve other countries in the sub-region. We hope the centre’s work will serve in the better implementation of UNICEF programmes. And that the work will have greater impact in the lives of children, which is our ultimate objective,” Nadine Perrault underscored. 

Prized Possession 
His Excellency Monsignor Jose Avelino Bettencourt, the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, described children as the first victims of violence and injustice in the world today. Calling on everyone to defend “the most precious thing society has – our children.”  

Despite Much Efforts 
Prof. Marie Therese Mengue, Head of CUCA Doctoral School and CUCA Focal Point, said many children die today in search of greener pastures. “Despite efforts on the continent, children continue to suffer various ills … The child rights centre will focus on research, training and advocacy,” she disclosed. 

Important Stage Of Development 
Mrs. Casimira Benge, UNICEF Cameroon Head of Child Protection described infancy as a very important period in a child’s development, stressing that child rights are human rights. Mrs. Benge recalled that UNICEF’s definition of a child as all those up to 18 years of age. She said the African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child, with its particularities, has helped in promoting and protecting child rights on the continent. 

The Fifth In A Row  
After the establishment of four Child Rights Centre’s in four Cameroon state universities, it’s time to move further in UNICEF’s partnership with academia for the realization of child rights in Cameroon and the Central Africa sub-region. May 28, 2025 thus marked a turning point in the history of child rights in the Central Africa sub-region. With the signing ceremony of the MOU between the Catholic University of Central and the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the official opening of the Child Rights Centre of CUCA.

A Milestone 
“It marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with academia to advance child rights in Cameroon”, said Nadine Perrault. The centre is the fifth to be established in Cameroon. “It is the result of our strategic partnership with these institutions. It reflects our shared ambition to create an academic ecosystem where child rights become a lasting priority through research, teaching, and advocacy.”

Greek, Georgian Experiences 
The initiative builds on successful models from Greece and Georgia and is rooted in an ambitious vision to integrate child rights into university curricula. While raising awareness and mobilizing future generations of professionals and leaders. The Child Rights Centre will strengthen the university' roles in driving societal change while equipping students and researchers to become active advocates for children’s rights.

Mutual Dividends 
The Centre is a win-win project. The University will benefit from a focal point for research, policy influence and training in children's rights, while the wider children's rights programme will benefit from academic resources and expertise.

Girl Rights Year 
T...