This year’s edition, which was the 2ᵉ, had as its theme: “robotics and new technologies for the mechanization and automation of healthy, sustainable agriculture”..

 

   Held over two days, the first day featured speeches followed by thematic presentations by representatives of the event’s partners, including WILPF Cameroon.

 

   WILPF Cameroon was represented there by its General Secretary, Ms Nathalie Foko and Tsafack Jerry from Young WILPF. The General Secretary, after introducing the organization, gave a presentation on the campaign against killer robots initiated in Cameroon since 2018. Returning to the theme of this 2ᵉ edition, she noted that WILPF is not against technological development, however, it argues for a humanization of it. In the case of agriculture, robots should be used to make life easier for farmers rather than fueling war.

 

   Young WILPF gave his presentation on killer robots. He answered the question: What are killer robots? Why are they a danger to society, and how can intelligence be used for development rather than war? His presentation gave participants an insight into the question of killer robots, also known as #SALA, Systèmes d’Armes Létales Autonomes. In other words, weapons that are totally independent of human control over target execution.

 

   The second part of the event was a robotics competition. Young boys and girls from more than twenty higher education establishments in eight regions of Cameroon demonstrated their know-how in this field.

 

   Several modules were on the agenda: The maze, the race, sumo and finally the ingenuity test. Teams of 2 or 3 competitors battled it out over the two days. At the end of the two days, prizes were awarded to the winners of the various modules.

 

   It was on this note that the second edition of ELIVIATECH came to a close. The very satisfied participants expressed their wish to see the 2024 edition arrive with great anticipation.