We draw from the best comparative knowledge available on how countries endeavor to accommodate significant variations/particularisms including linguistic, cultural, historical, or similar traits among parts of the population (often with territorial concentrations) within the State.
We consider accommodation and management of diversity as appropriate public policy objectives, which take into account the framework for protection of minority rights under international law, and the constitutional and international human rights principles of equality, non-discrimination, and equal treatment of citizens.
We use a conflict-sensitive approach, through being attentive to, and respectful of the often-divergent views, positions, and arguments of the various parties and stakeholders on these issues.
We are firmly committed to advising on appropriate constitutional methods to peacefully accommodate Cameroon’s diversity as a means of resolving political conflict and competing claims – drawing on comparative political studies and comparative constitutional law and examining models of Unitary, Unitary with regional autonomies, Decentralized, and Federal States; and the study of conflicts over regional specificities.
We employ a multi-faceted approach that examines the key conflict-prone sectors and domains which pose a challenge in accommodating Cameroon’s multiple heritages, including:
Use of its official languages by the State administration, in to access public services, and across its regions,
The dual education sub-systems in English and French, their contextual particularities and historical specificities in Cameroon, their sustenance and long-term viability,
The dual major legal practice cultures, and commitment to bi-juralism, multi-juralism, or mixed legal systems (formally accommodating more than one principal legal culture).
We pursue dynamic research that is grounded in, and driven by historical aspects, current data and realities, and future or evolving trends affecting Cameroon’s management of its diverse heritages.
We have as objective to inform and educate, by communicating as accurately as possible, through materials produced in accessible formats and terminology, in order to convey the Cameroonian experience and seek solutions for its improvement.
We strive to ensure most of the Project’s material is accessible to Cameroonian audiences that primarily use English and/or French as their primarily languages, in order to bridge information gaps, and promote a truly national engagement and debate on the issues at stake.