Two years after receiving the prestigious Global Pluralism Award, Cameroonian peacebuilder Njomo Omam Esther, Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon, and recognized Global Peace Champion, has shared reflections on the lessons, impact, challenges, and future perspectives that continue to shape her work.
In 2023, the award placed Esther and her organization in the global spotlight, highlighting grassroots initiatives that promote peace and inclusion in conflict-affected communities. Today, she says the recognition has been both empowering and sobering.
“Pluralism is a journey, not an event,” she explained, stressing that building inclusive societies requires persistence, resilience, and constant adaptation.
According to her, the award validated the voices of local mediators and community peacebuilders, proving that grassroots actors can influence global policy conversations.
Impact Beyond Borders
Since receiving the award, Reach Out Cameroon has gained increased visibility and access to policy spaces both nationally and internationally. Esther notes that the recognition has inspired a new generation of women mediators and young leaders to see themselves as key players in peacebuilding.
The organization’s community-rooted model has attracted interest beyond Cameroon, with initiatives now inspiring replication across Africa. “It consolidated Reach Out Cameroon’s legacy, showing how local peacebuilding solutions can serve as global examples,” Esther remarked.
Persistent Challenges
Despite the global honour, significant obstacles remain. Esther pointed to the paradox of a shrinking civic space in Cameroon, noting that Reach Out Cameroon is still under suspension. Security threats and reputational risks also weigh heavily on those mediating conflicts from within their communities.
Adding to these pressures are resource constraints following the termination of key partnerships, leaving vital programs in uncertainty. The emotional toll of constant exposure to conflict and human suffering, Esther admitted, remains “a silent but heavy burden.”
Looking Ahead
Rather than marking an endpoint, the Global Pluralism Award has become a springboard for innovation. Esther envisions diversifying funding through social enterprises, particularly in agro-processing, to sustain peacebuilding work.
She also hopes to expand the organization’s regional footprint, linking pluralism not only with peace but also with economic empowerment and gender equality. Documenting three decades of Reach Out Cameroon’s history and her own personal journey, she believes, will be essential for building a lasting legacy and guiding future peacebuilders.
A Path Forward
Two years on, Esther’s reflections capture both the promise and the pain of peacebuilding in fragile contexts. For her, the message remains clear: “Pluralism is the path to peace even in the hardest of places.”
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