Yatenga: The Association for New Cultural and Artistic Revival (ARCAN) has undertaken a significant initiative to anchor local democracy by leveraging traditional African values. As part of its 'Guardians of our Values' (GaVaL) project, ARCAN organized an intergenerational meeting on October 27 at the Palais Royal du Yatenga in Ouahigouya, focusing on the integration of traditional and modern societal values into democratic practices.According to Burkina Information Agency, the GaVaL project establishes monitoring units aimed at conflict prevention, management, and the promotion of dialogue through digital platforms that encourage the participation of youth and women in reinforcing the rule of law. The recent meeting aimed to enhance participants' understanding of how traditional and modern values contribute to democratic processes.During the event, provisional results from a participatory action research were shared with attendees, including customary chiefs, religious leaders, resource persons, and yout h. Ali Komi, Senior Consultant of the Multidisciplinary Research Group at ARCAN, presented a mapping of the social and cultural values in the Northern region that support democracy.The customary chief of Naamsiguia village introduced the study results by recounting the history of the Yatenga kingdom. The study, which involved interviews with 56 individuals, highlighted key values such as justice, love for neighbors, resilience, wisdom, integrity, social dialogue, and joking kinship.The intergenerational exchanges aimed to understand how these shared values impact local democratic practices, providing a foundation for promoting and adapting democratic principles. The discussions at the royal palace fostered a moment of sharing between generations, enriching the study's results.Rakiswendé Germain Ouédraogo, Director of ARCAN, emphasized that the study and subsequent discussions will lay the groundwork for viewing democracy through the lens of local values. The project seeks to empower young people by equi pping them with tools and traditional knowledge to foster democracy and peace through civic engagement.Ouédraogo announced the formation of a monitoring committee comprising researchers, media representatives, and local communities to disseminate the study's findings and maximize its reach within Burkina Faso. An appeal was made to authorities to support and expand the initiative, reinforcing the concept of African democracy rooted in indigenous traditions and values.