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Commonwealth Summer School 2011
25-30 July 2011, University of Buea, Cameroon
From July 25 to 30, 2011, a select group of sixty students from throughout the Commonwealth convened for the first-ever Commonwealth Summer School (CSS), organized by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and hosted at the University of Buea, Cameroon. Application to the CSS was open to participants from all disciplines, who are currently studying at the ACU member institutions.
The inaugural CSS focused on the thematic areas of democracy and good governance and provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with each other, and a team of international academics, in an informal atmosphere.
In addition to a full program of lectures and discussions regarding the policy role of the modern Commonwealth, attendees had the opportunity to take part in formal consultation organized by the Commonwealth Youth Program. The sessions, particularly the ones on policy development and advancement, were predicated on critical input from young people and focused on how best these future leaders can be better engaged with policy structures and chart the course for development. Capacity development was also a central component of CSS, students were able to advance their own research skills at a forum hosted by the EU-sponsored RIMI4AC project to strengthen research and innovation management in Africa and the Caribbean. Through CSS the foundation was laid for the creation of Commonwealth Student Unions in the respective regions of the Commonwealth. Attendees were charged with the task of creating such Unions. Learning visits and cultural activities also formed an integral part of the student experience at CSS and served as an adjunct to the busy week of scholarly and academic activities.