The 37th edition of United Nations Days in Sassandra continued on Thursday, 22 January 2015, with workshops organised with community leaders in the town's local social centre.





During the four training workshops for traditional chiefs, community and religious leaders, members of women's associations, NGOs, youths and elected officials, the ways and means to having everyone's involvement in promoting peace before, during and after forthcoming elections was the main topic of discussion.



The Prefect of Sassandra Department, Ernest Boni, encouraged local leaders and people in general to freely discuss and make recommendations to promote peace and social cohesion in the region.



The traditional chiefs, for their part, made a plea for a union of village and canton chiefs of Boklé, the release of prisoners of the post-electoral, and the active participation of officials in region. The construction and repair of roads in the region, an end to being exile and damages paid to victims of the post-electoral crisis in Côte d'Ivoire were also raised during the discussions.



The women's associations pleaded for the rehabilitation of the road and waterways network and an improvement to life in Sassandra as well as a recreation park for children in the town.

The youths called for the creation of a social centre to meet and discuss their concerns, a multimedia centre and the rehabilitation of the local cultural centre.



Local officials, for their part, agreed to set a permament meeting group. They also called on the sons and daughters to unite for the development of theiir region.



Apart from the workshops, a UN delegation paid a courtesy call on the Prefect of the Department, Boni Ernest, after which they held a working session which lasted more than an hour. The delegation also held working sessions with all local leaders including members of civil society organisations.



The second day ended with theatrical performances, music and films.



The final day of the information and sensitisation campaign, Friday, 23 January, will be marked by a public discussion with the people of Sassandra, the reading of the final recommendations from the various workshops and public screenings of African Nations Cup matches.