Universität zu Köln

Afu, Isaiah Kunock ORCID: 0009-0002-9455-3118, Zelao, Alawadi ORCID: 0009-0009-1394-5592, TERI, Deli Tize ORCID: 0009-0001-1237-622X, Harms, Dana Elena, Mbuh, Wendon Gillian, Merz, Johanna, Ngeh, Jonathan ORCID: 0000-0002-5159-748X, Pelican, Michaela ORCID: 0000-0002-3173-2410, Schütt, Lotta Luna ORCID: 0009-0005-0550-8756, Stapelfeldt, Brice ORCID: 0009-0009-5873-0819, Tchouaffi, Awah Kum ORCID: 0000-0001-8031-1113, Tingwey, Eugene, Wölki, Anna ORCID: 0009-0004-8446-5450, Yaanou, Guylaine Nzouenkeu and Yein, Chancelyne Wulseh ORCID: 0000-0002-8230-087X (2026). Urban youth and future-making in Cameroon. Working Paper.

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Abstract

This special issue brings together contributions from students and lecturers who participated in the 2018 collaborative research and teaching program Urban Youths’ Perspectives on Making a Future in Cameroon and/or Abroad, linking four universities in Cameroon and Germany. The program pursued both methodological and thematic objectives. Methodologically, it adopted a horizontal collaboration in teaching and research across the Global North and South to challenge power asymmetries that undervalue knowledge from the Global South. Thematically, it explored how young people navigate structural barriers to build meaningful futures. The articles in this issue examine how educated youth in Cameroon strive for personal and collective advancement amid persistent political and economic stagnation. Following an introduction and a collective methodological reflection, the contributions are grouped into three thematic sections: making a future at home; migration and future-making; and minority groups and future-making. The findings highlight migration, education, and social networks as central strategies for making a future. Across the articles, three recurring dimensions stand out – economic achievement, family responsibilities, and commitment to community well-being. Together, they offer new insights into youth agency and future-oriented aspirations in Cameroon.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Afu, Isaiah Kunock UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9455-3118 UNSPECIFIED Zelao, Alawadi UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1394-5592 UNSPECIFIED TERI, Deli Tize UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1237-622X UNSPECIFIED Harms, Dana Elena UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Mbuh, Wendon Gillian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Merz, Johanna UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ngeh, Jonathan UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5159-748X UNSPECIFIED Pelican, Michaela mpelican@uni-koeln.de https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3173-2410 UNSPECIFIED Schütt, Lotta Luna UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0550-8756 UNSPECIFIED Stapelfeldt, Brice UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5873-0819 UNSPECIFIED Tchouaffi, Awah Kum UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8031-1113 UNSPECIFIED Tingwey, Eugene UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wölki, Anna UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8446-5450 UNSPECIFIED Yaanou, Guylaine Nzouenkeu UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Yein, Chancelyne Wulseh UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8230-087X UNSPECIFIED
Editors:	Editors Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Wölki, Anna UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8446-5450 UNSPECIFIED Ngeh, Jonathan UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5159-748X UNSPECIFIED Pelican, Michaela mpelican@uni-koeln.de https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3173-2410 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-799597
Series Name at the University of Cologne:	Kölner Arbeitspapiere zur Ethnologie
Volume:	13
Number of Pages:	184
Date:	2026
ISSN:	1864-7766
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 4: Außereuropäische Sprachen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften > Institut für Ethnologie Global South Studies Center
Subjects:	Customs, etiquette, folklore
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language youth, future-making, education, migration, minorities, Cameroon English Jugend, Zukunftsgestaltung, Bildung, Migration, Minderheiten, Kamerun German
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79959