AAPV proudly represented Cameroon at the KOICA Youth Leaders Program in Ghana through its delegate, Mr. Aziz PEKASSA. Competing alongside young leaders from across Africa, AAPV secured 3rd Place overall in the Private Sector Track, highlighting the organisation’s growing capacity in leadership, strategic planning, innovation and sustainable development.
The Association for Aid to Vulnerable People (AAPV) marked an important milestone in its institutional journey by being selected to represent Cameroon at the KOICA Youth Fellowship Programme, also known as the KOICA Youth Leaders Program, hosted in Ghana.
The programme brought together high-potential young leaders from different African countries to exchange local perspectives, strengthen their leadership capacities, develop practical solutions and explore how technology, entrepreneurship and innovation can contribute to sustainable development across the continent.
AAPV was represented by Mr. Aziz PEKASSA, who actively participated in the Private Sector Track on behalf of the organisation.
For AAPV, this participation was more than an opportunity to attend an international programme. It provided a platform to demonstrate the ability of a national civil society organisation to contribute meaningfully within an international environment, collaborate with participants from diverse backgrounds and develop solutions responding to real development challenges.
A Major Institutional Achievement: 3rd Place Overall
One of the most significant outcomes of AAPV’s participation was its recognition with the 3rd Place Overall Award of Merit in the Private Sector Track.
The distinction was awarded following an assessment involving KOICA and Hallym University and recognised performance in areas including strategic action plan development, leadership, cross-cultural teamwork, critical problem-solving and pitch presentations.
Participants were required to transform ideas into structured proposals, defend their solutions and demonstrate their ability to respond to complex development challenges before an international panel.
AAPV’s final ranking therefore represents an important institutional achievement and reflects the organisation’s capacity to participate competitively in international learning and leadership environments.
It also reinforces AAPV’s positioning as a youth-driven and innovative local organisation capable of developing solutions aligned with international standards while remaining connected to the realities of vulnerable communities in Cameroon.
Building Skills Through Practical Learning
Throughout the programme, AAPV’s delegate participated in a range of interactive activities designed to strengthen practical leadership and problem-solving skills.
These included capacity-building workshops, collaborative exercises, strategic planning sessions and exchanges with participants from other African countries.
A major component of the programme focused on the development of a Strategic Action Plan, with particular attention given to challenges and opportunities relevant to AAPV’s intervention areas.
This exercise provided an opportunity to connect international learning with the realities faced by communities in Cameroon and to explore how new approaches could be incorporated into the organisation’s work.
AAPV’s delegate also participated in collaborative problem-solving challenges requiring participants to work across cultural and professional backgrounds, analyse development issues and jointly develop practical responses.
The programme concluded with capstone presentations during which participants presented and defended their proposed solutions before an international panel associated with KOICA and Hallym University.
Strengthening AAPV’s International Network
Beyond the competition and technical training, participation in the KOICA Youth Leaders Program enabled AAPV to expand its professional and institutional network.
The programme created opportunities to engage with young professionals and leaders from different African countries, exchange experiences and explore potential areas of collaboration.
Such networks are increasingly important for organisations working within humanitarian action and development, where complex challenges often require cooperation across countries, sectors and disciplines.
AAPV’s participation therefore contributes to strengthening the organisation’s exposure to new approaches, partnerships and perspectives that can support its future programmes.
Technology, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development
One of the major areas of learning emerging from the programme was the role of ICT and entrepreneurship in addressing development challenges in Africa.
The experience reinforced AAPV’s interest in exploring how digital tools, technological innovation and entrepreneurial approaches can contribute to more sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations.
For AAPV, these approaches can support not only economic empowerment but also improved access to opportunities, stronger community resilience and the development of innovative responses adapted to local realities.
The organisation intends to apply these lessons within its current and future initiatives in Cameroon.
Particular attention will be given to opportunities that can promote technological innovation, youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development models among vulnerable communities.
Translating International Learning Into Local Impact
AAPV views international participation as valuable when the knowledge and experience gained can be translated into practical improvements at community level.
The organisation therefore intends to integrate lessons from the KOICA Youth Fellowship into its ongoing projects and institutional development.
The knowledge acquired in strategic planning, leadership, teamwork, innovation and problem-solving can contribute to strengthening programme design and implementation across AAPV’s areas of intervention.
The experience also provides additional tools for supporting young people and vulnerable communities in developing skills, accessing economic opportunities and participating more actively in sustainable development initiatives.
For AAPV, the objective is not simply to participate in international programmes, but to ensure that these opportunities contribute directly to stronger institutions and better outcomes for the communities it serves.
A Step Forward for AAPV
Securing 3rd Place overall in the Private Sector Track represents a proud achievement for AAPV and an important step in the organisation’s continued development.
It demonstrates the potential of locally rooted organisations to engage successfully in international programmes and contribute African perspectives to discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship and development.
Most importantly, the experience strengthens AAPV’s determination to continue investing in young people, institutional learning and innovative approaches capable of creating sustainable impact.
AAPV remains committed to applying the knowledge, partnerships and strategies gained through this experience to its programmes in Cameroon and to continuing its work alongside vulnerable communities.
This achievement represents not an endpoint, but another step in AAPV’s ambition to grow as a credible, innovative and impact-driven organisation contributing to sustainable development in Cameroon and beyond.