AJPCT Asociacao de Jovens para a promocao da paz e cooperacao transfronteirica

AJPCT, Asociacao de Jovens para a promocao da paz e cooperacao transfronteirica (Youth association for the promotion of peace and cross border cooperation) is a non-profit association that provides public services aiming to promote peace and social and economic regional integration.

During the conflict in 1998-99 some spontaneous initiatives mobilised the solidarity of different peoples that shared their experiences of the Casamance conflict and the politico-military crisis in Guinea-Bissau. Cross border contacts between youth, traditional authorities and local governments culminated in a Festival for regional integration in Cambadju in 2002.

As a result the Youth Movement for Peace and Integration (MJPI) emerged on the Senegalese side while the Youth association for peace and cross border cooperation (AJPCT) was founded in Cambadju, Guinea Bissau with the intention to focus on cross border dynamics for the promotion of peace.

Through enhancing cross border population contacts and awareness AJPCT succeeded in collecting a number of small arms and light weapons.

Through support to community managed schools, health posts and sanitation activities as well as radio programs and cultural and sportive events AJPCT arrived to enhance the relationships between citizens and authorities of the both sides of the border.

Later on AJPCT played a role in enhancing people’s awareness about ECOWAS cross border trade regulations.

AJPCT is engaged to promote cross border community based activities on:

Rational management of forest resources, particularly timber, hunting and beekeeping.
Reforestation.
Public infrastructures and services namely wells and sanitation infrastructures, and related to medical assistance.
Technical advice on agriculture production and livestock.
Cross-border trade promotion.

AJPCT counts with the internal efforts of its associates and has the support of national partners like DIVUTEC, Voz di Paz, and has received the support of international agencies like UNICEF, ONG AIDA, Tostan, ACPP, Embassy of India, TESE and SNV.