On the initiative of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), more than 20 members of the Peace and Non-Violence Club of the Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké have been training in a capacity-building workshop since 4 April 2016.

The training is part of a follow-up to receommendations made during a sensitisation camapign to promote peace and non-violence in universities and high education colleges organised last year by the Ivorian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in partnership with the United Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Mohamed Eissa of UNOCI’s Hum,an Rights Division, represented the UN Mission said that the training workshop for members of the Peace and Non-violence Club contributes to the implementation of UNOCI’s mandate which includes strengthening social cohesion and accompanying Ivorian authorities in promoting national reconcilaition and peace consolidation.

In this regard, the training workshop, which will be organised in universities and higher education colleges throughout the country, will give participants to increase their knowledge on behaviour change communication techniques on HIV/AIDS in universities, journalistic writing , human rights and non-violence in universities as well as acquire photography, video production, blog writing and graphic design.

The authorities of Alassane Ouattara University greatly appreciated the organisation of the training workshop. According to Professeur Henri Bah, Directeur de cabinet of the Office of the President of the university :« Thanks to UNOCI a climate of peace is progressively taking hold in our campus. I thank you dear members of the Peace Club for your dynamism. Get involved in the peace process in order to give yourselves a chance to become the professionals of tomorrow, » he added.

On behalf of participants, student Tuo Adjouman, who is doing a thesis on communication for development, that the United Nations for its work in Côte d’Ivoire. « UNOCI is constantly by our side by organsing training sessions to make us responsible students. We thank them for this », he said.