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Childhood, Child Rights: UCAC Rolls Out Pioneer Master’s Programme

Par Kimeng Hilton
09 Sep 2026 13:43
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Supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the event in the Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde on September 8, 2026, saw the gathering of several stakeholders.

In a landmark step toward strengthening academic specialization in child protection across Central and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Catholic University of Central Africa, UCAC, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Cameroon Country Office, have officially launched the newly created Master’s degree programme in Childhood and Child Rights. The event held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in the Ekounou, Yaounde campus of the Catholic University of Central Africa.

Cross-cutting Programme

The initiative bridges academic research, public policy dialogue, and grassroots intervention. The Master’s degree addresses growing regional vulnerabilities affecting children, including poverty, security crises, systemic abuse, and unequal access to essential services.

Regional Pioneer

Addressing media representatives and university authorities during the official press briefing, the Rector of UCAC, Rev. Father Prof. Thomas Bienvenu Tchoungui, highlighted that the programme materializes core commitments established under the historic Yaoundé Declaration. Issued following the International Conference on Children’s Rights held at UCAC on November 19–20, 2025.

"We have been collaborating with UNICEF for roughly two years to give children a privileged place in our programmes and institutions," Rev. Fr. Prof. Tchoungui stated. "Today, after maturing through all necessary steps, we officially launch this Master's programme to cultivate contextual awareness and provide incisive answers to the challenges our children face," Prof. Tchoungui said.

First Master's On Child Rights

UNICEF Representative in Cameroon, Mrs. Nadine Perrault, commended UCAC and Cameroon for leading the initiative. Noting that the programme is the first specialized Master's degree dedicated specifically to child rights in the Central African sub-region.

"Cameroon is starting to shine because this is the first Master's specifically on children's rights in this region," Mrs. Perrault noted. "Even in Europe, very few specialized child rights Master's exist. UCAC is positioning itself as a pioneer, and we hope this training translates into concrete well-being for children beyond the classroom," Nadine Perrault noted.

Interdisciplinary Scope

Master’s degree in Childhood and Child Rights Programme Coordinator, Prof. Marie-Thérèse Mengue, emphasized that it caters to a broad, multidisciplinary cohort. Including civil servants, justice system personnel, healthcare workers, educators, social workers, defense forces, and pastoral agents.

"When we talk about children, everyone is concerned - universities, the church, families, civil society, and government," Prof. Mengue explained. "The programme combines academic excellence and practical application, integrating law, social sciences, education, public health, and governance. To prepare a new generation of leaders who can translate legal texts into daily protection practices," Prof. Mengue disclosed.

Institutional Governance

Dr. Albert le Grand Fosso, Social and Behaviour Change Officer at UNICEF Cameroon, outlined the institutional setup and academic rigour underpinning the programme. Anchored by UCAC’s Child Rights Centre, CRC-UCAC under faculty academic clearance, the curriculum was co-constructed through a six-phase engineering process. Following a collaboration agreement signed with UNICEF on May 28, 2025.

Varied Academic Networks

The programme relies on robust national and regional academic networks, including the 9-member Cameroon Network of Child Rights Centers. And the African Network of Universities for Child Rights launched in May 2026. Renowned regional and international experts - including Prof. Ibrahima Ndiaye of Mali, Chair of the African Network, as well as specialists from Greece and Switzerland - will serve as instructors.

Practical Laboratories