OYOD Conference to convene over 500 youths, October 17

Some 500 young people will be inspired, equipped, and empowered this weekend at the second edition of the "One Youth One Dream" (OYOD) Conference 2026 in Buea.

The two-day transformative youth empowerment conference, organised by the Make Them Smile Foundation, will culminate on October 17 at the Chariot Hotel Banquet Hall.

Expected to bring together some 500 youths nationwide, it will feature keynote addresses from reputable industry experts and interactive sessions.

The convener, Eliva Enanga Fule, is Founder and head of the Make Them Smile Foundation and regional coordinator of the National Network of Youth Parliamentarians of the South West.

She believes it will be a profound moment to see community leaders, professionals, and students come together to share knowledge.

It will have them engage in innovative discussions, skill-building workshops, health promotion activities, mentorship and community-focused project development.

"The OYOD 2026 seeks to bridge this gap by creating an inclusive platform where young people can learn, collaborate, innovate, and develop practical solutions to improve health

outcomes and strengthen community resilience," the concept notes explained.

Success for Enanga Fule and team will mean increased youth participation in health promotion, youth leadership development, and strengthening youth-led initiatives that address community health challenges while inspiring participants to become active contributors to healthier and more resilient communities.

The conference is expected to begin on October 15 with an innovation pitch and a pre-conference virtual policy conference. The highlight will be on October 17 during the hybrid main conferences.

"One Youth One Dream (OYOD) Conference 2026 is more than an event; it is a movement dedicated to raising a generation of informed, empowered, and socially responsible young leaders committed to improving health and well-being within their

communities," organisers have said.

The OYOD experience this year follows the pioneer conference of 2024 with more innovations. It is being held at a time when unemployment rates are soaring, and hopelessness is settling in. It is believed to be a significant step for the youthful renaissance to face contemporary challenges.