Fada N’Gourma, Burkina Faso – The ‘Forum for another Africa’ Association (FORA) recently organized a workshop focused on the capitalization and dissemination of their actions in the fight against violent extremism and radicalization across ten communes in Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the coordinator of FORA, the workshop was centered on reviewing and validating the capitalization report of their project. This project, funded by the Citizenship Laboratory (LC), and implemented through ‘peace schools’, is dedicated to combating violent extremism and radicalization. It involves the active participation of community leaders and young peace ambassadors in various regions including Gayéri, Bogandé, Pama, Diapaga, Fada, Yamba, Diabo, Tibga, Diapangou, and Matiacoali.
FORA, primarily working with young people and women across Burkina Faso’s ten regions, aims to improve good governance and reduce gender inequalities, fostering leadership among the youth and women. The project included training 25 community leaders, 15 Koranic masters from five provinces, and 30 peace ambassadors in strategies to counteract radicalization and violent extremism. These trained individuals then conducted educational and awareness activities in schools, Koranic homes, and with traditional leaders to promote social cohesion and prevent radicalization.
The workshop, attended by peace ambassadors, community leaders from Bogandé, Fada, Ouagadougou, and various educational establishments in Gourma, presented the results of these interventions. The coordinator expressed satisfaction with the project’s impact despite challenges such as insecurity and inaccessibility in certain areas.
Tenimpagba Yonli, a peace ambassador, emphasized the positive community impact of FORA’s activities and expressed a desire for their continuation. Lamoudi Kondia, the leader of the association, acknowledged remaining challenges and stressed the importance of sustaining the project’s efforts. She highlighted that overcoming such issues requires persistent dialogue and effective communication.
Founded on August 2, 2011, in Ouagadougou, the ‘Forum for another Africa’ Association is headquartered in Fada N’Gourma, actively contributing to peacebuilding and social cohesion in Burkina Faso.