Fomunyoh Foundation Trains More Than 100 Activists
and Journalists on Effective Communications —
Strengthening Civil Society in Cameroon

Students from Johns Hopkins SAIS Work with the Fomunyoh Foundation
to Train NGO Leaders and Journalists

September 2004

Communicators from some NGOs

The Fomunyoh Foundation (TFF) working together with the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Summer Internship Project (SIP) provided training and technical assistance to Cameroonian journalists and leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The SIP Interns trained more than 100 local activists on: developing and implementing effective communication strategies, improving skills for journalists, and initiating a Journalists' Code of Ethics to develop a common list of professional standards.

Organized under the auspices of SAIS's International Development Program, two TFF interns are currently spending the summer in Cameroon hosted by TFF. In 2005, two other graduate students will spend the summer in Cameroon as TFF interns to continue this important work.

Nate and Kristin receiving gifts of appreciation from the president of all the cooperative org. in the N.W.

"We are grateful to the International Development Program of SAIS for providing these internships and to the interns for their invaluable training and assistance which has helped strengthen two of the most important pillars of democracy: an independent media and an active, vibrant civil society," said TFF Founder and President Christopher Fomunyoh. "The two TFF interns this year, Kristin Martin and Nate Heller, conducted several journalist training sessions and NGO development and communication seminars in Bamenda, Cameroon. More than 40 journalists and 60 NGO leaders participated in these intensive sessions, and the feedback from participants was extremely positive."

Kristin and Nate both said it was an incredible experience for them: "We learned something new every day and are amazed by the thoughtfulness of each of the training participants." Julia Ambe, a participant and a graduate from a master's degree program at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said she applied to attend the seminar for just a week, but by the time the first week was over she had learned so much that she decided to attend all of the follow-up sessions. To Kristin, Nate and TFF she wrote: "I thank you again and again for giving me that opportunity."

TFFstaff during the course

The two graduate students, assisted by TFF staff and other Cameroonian experts, developed detailed training programs for both journalists and NGO leaders. The Journalist Training Sessions included three-day seminars for both print and broadcast journalists that included discussions of newsgathering and the practical aspects of crafting print and broadcast pieces. The NGO training sessions consisted of a weeklong introduction to the principles and practices involved in developing and implementing an effective communications strategy.

"We plan more seminars and technical assistance throughout the country. The demand for such training in Cameroon is very high. TFF is committed to helping these dedicated Cameroonians seek a better future for their communities and our country," said veteran Cameroonian journalist and TFF Senior Advisor Chris Forgwe.

From the written press	Some radio jounalists
Decorated by a traditioal ruler	Shortly after being decorated
There was also music - Chris Forgwe doing the US and Cameroon anthems with a local instrument	During a coffee break

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The SAIS International Development Program offers a comprehensive approach to the economic, social political and environmental aspects of development as they interact within each nation's particular cultural and historical setting. The program's Summer Internship Project was created to provide internships to SAIS International Development students in developing countries, thus providing its partner organizations with highly qualified interns to work with the partners' development projects. For additional information, please visit www.sais-jhu.edu.

The Fomunyoh Foundation (TFF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Christopher Fomunyoh and a dedicated group of Cameroonians and advocates in the international democracy community to assist and support charitable causes and individuals and movements involved in the enhancement of democracy and human rights in the Republic of Cameroon. The Fomunyoh Foundation partners with philanthropists and democratic and human rights constituencies within Cameroon as well as internationally to improve the well being of the Cameroonian people and to strengthen democratic institutions and human rights in Cameroon.