International Day of Peace is celebrated each year on 21 September. This year, the Day was celebrated by the United Nations Operation (UNOCI), in collaboration with partners, throughout the country.



In Guiglo, secondary school children make a commitment to guarantee a peaceful school environment



In partnership with the Regional Directorate of National Education and Teaching (DRENET), the United Nations, on Friday, 20 September 2013, celebrated International Day of Peace in Guiglo, situated 520 km west of Abidjan, on the theme "Education for Peace". At the end

of different sensitisation sessions carried out by the regional education body and the UN, some 100 school children from private and public school in the area made a commitment to maintain a peaceful environment in their respective schools and focus on studies.



Following the screening of the film entitled « L'otage » produced by the Human Rights Division of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), followed by discussions, the students from « Sekala », « Reference », « Doh Valentin » and « Obama » raised several issues, such as violence in schools, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, gender-based violence and sexual abuse. During the discussions, particular emphasis was placed on the advantages of using peaceful means, tolerance and dialogue to resolve differences.



The secretary-general of the prefecture, Aoulou Assamoi Marc, noted that the theme of the Day for 2013 was appropriate in the case of Côte d'Ivoire which was just coming out of a very serious crisis. « Peace should be taught in schools so that our children, who will become the leaders of tomorrow acquire the fundamental values of discipline, respect and civic education », he added.



For their part, the Regional Director of Education, Konaté Alassane, and the Mayor, Diaye Pierre Laroche, encouraged the children to work for peace so that they can become leaders at the service of their country.



During the event, the head of the UN delegation read out the message of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, in which he stressed the need to provide more investment for the building schools and the training of teachers and fight for a peaceful world.



A minute of silence was oberserved at midday in memory of those who had lost their lives and those who had suffered during conflicts.





People in Keybla are called on to focus on development





Persuade the different communities in Keybla, a village situated in the sous-préfecture of Gboguhé, near Daloa, 490 km from Abidjan, to turn their backs on political disagreements and focus instead on the

development of their locality - that was the aim of a sensitisation activity to promote social cohesion and peace organised by UNOCI to commemorate International Day of Peace in the village.

"{We came this morning to talk to you about peace, peaceful cohabitation and yo urge you to put aside your quarrels and focus on the development of your village. We ask you to use dialogue as the only means to resolve your differences and to avoid violence}," said the representative of UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section who led the Mission's delegation.



He also stressed the importance of respecting the authority of the village chief. "{The Chief of your village is the representative of the local authority. He represents the deputy prefects. The first step towards peace starts by the respect of the authority of your chief}," he explained.



Welcoming UNOCI's initiative to organise the sensitisation session, a local resident of Keybla Sery Valentin promised to contribute to bringing the different communities of his village together.

"{Together with our brothers who have lived with us for many years, we will work to understand one another and work for peace}," he added.





Zriglo is on the road to peace





Zriglo, in the district of Taï, some 700 km west of Abidjan, since Wednesday, 18 September 2013, has been basking in an atmosphere of tranquility during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace in partnership with UNOCI. A sensitisation session on the theme "{The people of Zriglo meeting the challenge of lasting social cohesion}" to mark the Day.



With a participative approach and through the use of short plays, the representative of UNOCI's Human Rights Division urged villagers to give a new vision to Zriglo based on peace, unity and development. " {The desire to find lasting peace is sometimes difficult to achieve. This is why we should have the will to do so and we know that the people in Zriglo already have this will}," he said.

The Sous-prefect of Taï, Ouattara Mory, who was accompanied by the first deputy mayor, Tere Tehe, welcomed the progress all ready made in the village. "{Some years back, it was complete disorder in this village. However, thanks to the will and determination of people to turn over the page on these unhappy events, we have been able to achieve calm}," he said. He also encouraged people to continue to work hand and hand for the reconstruction and development of their locality.



Zriglo is more than ever on the road to peace, said the village chief, Jean Toclan Gnahoué. "{From now on Zriglo has a new face. A face of unity, solidarity and agreement,} "he insisted to applause from the people.