The Grand-Bardot Group of Schools is the second largest in the country after the Regional School of Treichville in Abidjan and the largest in the interior of the country. Grand-Bardot regroups ten schools, of which nine are primary schools and the 10th is a nursery school. It comprises 3,337 pupils, of which 1,952 are girls.
The funds for the rehabilitation of this educational establishment are being provided through the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) programme of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI). It concerns the rehabilitation of classrooms, sanitary facilities, the perimeter fence and installation of barbed wire for security reasons.
"The invaluable help which you have just offered us in the name of UNOCI shows that you are a mother who has concerns for the future of her children," declared the representative of the Minister of Education and Technical Training.
In the same vein, women who benefitted from projects financed by the United Nations in Côte d'Ivoire as part of a poverty-reduction programme in the district of Bas-Sassandra, also expressed their gratitude to UNOCI and the Ivorian State. Estimated at 290 000 000 FCFA, the funds mobilised by UNOCI and several UN agencies and several partners will be used for projects which will benefit various groups in the district.
The women expressed their sincere thanks for all the benefits which these income-generating activities will bring to their respective homes.
For his part, the Mayor of San Pedro, in his speech, highlighted UNOCI's actions, especially the deployment of peacekeepers throughout the country, which contributes to limiting the impact of the crisis. He also spoke about the sensitisation activities to promote reconciliation and social cohesion and the numerous QIPs projects that local people have benefitted from in the region.
Traditional chiefs, women, youths, elected officials and local dignitaries, the media, representatives of the education sector, security forces in the district of San Pedro, successively gave presentations on the results of workshops which had been held for them on Wednesday, 26 March, to discuss their particular concerns. These workshops had given participants the opportunity to discuss their contribution to peace, social cohesion and development. The participants also identified the challenges that still needed to be overcome and made recommendations, which Mrs Mindaoudou described as pertinent and illustrated the fact that the socio-political groups in San Pedro were clearly aware of the need to consolidate peace, promote social cohesion and work for national reconciliation. The Special Representative also said that the recommendations gave a clear idea of the actions to be undertaken in order to achieve all of this. In this regard, Mrs Mindaoudou reaffirmed the deep commitment of UNOCI and the United Nations Agencies to accompany the Ivorian authorities and people in their quest for social cohesion and national reconciliation, conditions necessary for economic revival and a return to normality. The Special Representative appealed for the daily commitment and total adhesion of all levels of society in order to achieve a lasting and inclusive crisis-resolution in Côte d'Ivoire.
"This 32nd Edition of UN Days is taking place at a time when positive developments have been made in Côte d'Ivoire and in this regard, I would like to congratulate the Government and the Ivorian people for the effort they make on a daily basis, each one at their level, in order to make progress in achieving peace, national reconciliation and social cohesion," said the head of UNOCI.
"The United Nations will spare no effort in supporting and accompanying all initiatives to work for the effective and lasting return of confidence and harmony among Ivorians".
The Prefect of the Region, Coulibaly Ousmane welcomed the holding of the JNU in San Pedro and the support of the United Nations to Côte d'Ivoire but added that a lot still remained to be done.
The meeting with the population ended with a visit to stands set up by the various UN agencies and UNOCI sections to explain their actions and activities.
In the afternoon, Mrs Mindaoudou took part in the Career Days in the presence of the Minister of Education and Technical Teaching, Mrs Kandia Kamissoko Camara and the Minister of Industry and Mines Mr. Jean-Claude Brou.
On her arrival in San Pedro, the Special Representative and her delegation held a working session with the Prefect of the region and members of the local government. She also met and discussed with traditional chiefs of San Pedro as well as neighbouring villages.
