Guiglo commemorates International Volunteers Day 2013

The contribution made by United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to peace and development in Côte d'Ivoire was highlighted and encouraged during the commemoration of International Volunteer Day 2013 organised in Guiglo, situated 516 km west of Abidjan, where several United Agencies have offices.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, took part in activities organised to mark the Day in Guiglo. With this year's theme being "Young. Global. Active", Mrs Mindaoudou recalled that the Day was aimed at celebrating the contribution of UN Volunteers to peace, security, development, respect for human rights, as well as the memory of those who had lost their lives in an effort to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society.

While reading out the message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, during the ceremony, Mrs Mindaoudou highlighted the "{special recognition}" given to volunteers by the head of the UN in front of the massive crowd at the festivities.

"{Nearly 1,000 UN Volunteers are supporting the work of the Organisation for peace, sustainable development and human rights. These Volunteers work alongside UN staff to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations in the world. They will continue to play a key role in accelerating our work for the Millennium Development Goals, combating climate change and shaping and implementing the post-2015 development agenda.} (...) {There are more than 1.2 billion youth in the world today, with incredible potential to tackle challenges and act as agents of change}," she added.

This year, International Volunteer Day was celebrated together with the 30th edition of United Nations Days - an information and sensitisation campaign organised by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire and UN agencies between 4 and 6 December 2013 in Guiglo.

On her arrival in the town, Mrs Mindaoudou first paid a courtesy call on the Prefect of the Region, Mr. Messamba Koné, and then held discussions with traditional chiefs during which she promised to return to hold longer discussions with them in the near future.

The Special Representative then visited the different stands set up by UN agencies in Houphouët-Boigny Square, handed over trophies to the winners of sports activities and attended the inauguration ceremony of the Institute for Women's Education in Guiglo, which was rehabilitated with funds from the Quick Impact Project Programmes of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) at a cost of 12 million FCFA (approximately $24,000). A second QIPs project for three classrooms in a primary school of Excellence was inaugurated by the UNOCI's UNV Programme Manager, Jacques Mouaya.