Global Conscience welcomes Italian Judge, Francesco Peronne
Global Conscience ( GCI ) is delighted to receive Judge Francesco Peronne on a professional attachment for one month. Mr. Peronne is a Judge in the Court of First instance in Venice , Italy , and is currently preparing for a PH.D thesis in Jurisprudence due in December this year. He will be assisting GCI with our Prisons Project. In particular, supporting indigent untried prisoners with bail applications.
Mr. Peronne looks forward to learning of the comparisons between prison conditions in Italy and Cameroon . His experience at GCI has so far been interesting. He realises that many structures and fundamental principles of democracy which are taken for granted in Europe are not obvious here. For example, a division of power between the government and the judiciary in Cameroon is not evident. It is an important reminder that this was introduced only two hundred years ago in Europe and such advantages are not yet enjoyed everywhere in the world.
From a personal perspective, Mr. Peronne would like to improve his international skills and enjoy his first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa. He is interested in different ways of life and enjoys the community lifestyle in Kumba.
Mr. Peronne seeks to gain a deeper understanding of life in Cameroon by working in the community rather than visiting as a tourist. He hopes that working at GCI will provide him with the opportunity to meet Cameroonians with whom he shares common goals.
He observes that many people in Cameroon have the impression that people in the West are all rich and have lavish lifestyles. He emphasises that this is a misconception. While there are some people who live this way, the majority of people live like ordinary Cameroonians – they work to support themselves and their families.
The real difference between life in Italy and in Cameroon is in the public services and the people in power. In Europe even the poorest people have access to free healthcare. Buses and trains are cheap so those without much money can travel easily. This is possible because everybody pays taxes to finance it and the state functions efficiently to administer it. Mr. Peronne urges Cameroonians to fight for better public services and to improve the level of democratisation.
Global Conscience is pleased to have Mr. Peronne share his experience with us and other Cameroonians.
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