www.ccmunich2008.de

Why I will attend the CCMunich2008

In the memory of all our countrymen we lost in the recent riots and the diaspora, especially the students of Guinea.
Open letter to the Cameroonian diaspora

Dear Cameroonian community,

Lately I met a lot of people who constantly asked me the same question: “Will you attend the Challenge Camerounais event this year?”. And I constantly gave them the same answer: Yes! I will attend the “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward Thinking“ event. Some were pleased by this answer, other showed more scepticism. In this letter, I would like to share with you the reasons why…

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”
“Who am I?” That is probably the first question to cross your mind. Well,
I could be this student who combines in an extraordinary way, job, study and sometimes motherhood…
I could be this faithful client of Afropa, who regularly sends some money home to my family which totally dependson my support since I live here…
I could be this asylum seeker, who had to put away her or his academic awards and put up with less rewarding jobs until her or his status gets legalized.
I could be this graduate of a German elite university, working full-time, with breathtaking professional chances, but who still has to go extra miles to stay in the game…
Because currently I am none of all previously mentioned to you, I won’t sign this letter. Just know that I am a restless dreamer who has faith that Cameroon our country, and Africa our continent, often regarded as “ a giant with clay feet”, will finally rise and be able to reach beyond better horizons. I am the Challenge Camerounais.

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”
When did we last attend a similar gathering? I do not remember it, but I know where it will be held the next time. The history and the socio-economic contemporary context and policy of Cameroon reveals us factors of division that we inherited from slavery, colonization, tribalism, “democracy”, and many other evils,
which perhaps led to the fact that we failed to see ourselves like ONLY ONE PEOPLE, even though that is what we are. We just did not always cultivate the factor of UNITY. That is the language I want to speak of . That is the word which I will first spell, when

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”
We witness every day the sad spectacle of Cameroonians boycotting projects worked out by Cameroonians and inviting others to join them in doing so. And my position is: “Not this time!” When will we finally understand, that “different” also means “diversity”, “wealth”? that like in a family, even though we do not always get along, each and everyone of us is gifted in a unique way, and we complement one another for the profit of the whole family. When will we understand that the truth, as a philosopher once said, is neither in the thesis, nor in the antithesis, but in the triumphing harmony over these two opposites, which is the synthesis? When will we understand, that as much as some of us fight for the respect of fundamental laws or justice, others can quite simply try to highlight the best side of our country, without these respective groups being antagonistic? Don´t they do it all for the welfare of the country?

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”
Some may say that it is only an opportunity for others to display their wealth. The image of other people should not be the center of our concerns. Isn’t it that what will stand the test of time is much more the invisible driving force in the midst of people who have been divided for a long time, facing many challenges and coming along to a crossroad, and thinking: “So many problems! So many challenges to overcome! But today, we choose the way of unity. We were there before. We also faced similar problems in the past. Together, we shall overcome! ” I seek the invisible, the idea of the unity, of which a thinker said: “nothing in the world is more powerful than an idea which time has come”. Time has come for us to say no to divisions and to focus our energies to seek solutions to improve and rebuild our country.

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”
Time has come for us to take part in the concert of globalization. Which note will we bring there? As the Chinese said, “let us export or die!” Time has come for us to open ourselves to the world, however not with the image of famines, diseases, wars or sociopolitical conflicts and plagues which consume us. Instead, let’s open up with renewed and stronger dynamism and determination so that we can banish this role of victims and consumers lifelong allotted to us. Let’s show a different image of us, one that reflects a potential, a new prospect, and a rising power, the image of people aware of their wealth and ready to upgrade themselves. It is time for initiative, for production, and for export. Each opportunity that can lead us to such goal is welcome, is to be encouraged and to be exploited and explored… And if the Challenge Camerounais event can be that opportunity, then

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”

Nichts ist unmöglich
Zusammen sind wird Stark
Gemeinsam Heute und die Zukunft gestalten

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”

I will be there, when we will keep this silent minute for our lost beloved ones
I will be there, when under the national anthem the colors of our country will be lifted up.
I will be there, looking for the invisible force of an idea which time has come.
It does not matter where we are today; we were at one time or another part of our history at similar places. And we made it. As true as life is an alternation of seasons of which some are better than others, there is a solution to face and overcome these problems. Together we will find it.

I will attend “Challenge Camerounais Munich 2008 – Forward thinking”