A strong mobilization around the message, total involvement of students and lectures in an ambiance which could be described as both dynamic and participative. This was the atmosphere which dominated the third stage of the sensitization campaign to promote the culture of peace and non-violence in universities in Daloa on Thursday, 23 April 2015.



Launched by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on 26 February 2015 in collaboration with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and supported by United Nations Agencies, the Félix Houphouët Boigny Foundation for Peace, the National Programme for Social Cohesion and Search for Common Ground, the event at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University marked the third stage of the Peace Sensitisation Campaign in Universities.

Welcomed with a fanfare provided by students and majorettes, the official delegation, arrived at the amphitheatre of the university after having visited the management team of the institution. There, it witnessed a play dealing with the issue of violence among students touching on how they can be manipulated during an electoral period was much appreciated by an audience of some 300 students, lecturers. The play warned students against allowing themselves to be manipulated in an electoral period.



«I think my speech preceded me. There seem to be some sort of leak," said the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou as she congratulated the students on the quality of their play and their commitment. « This exceptional mobilization already shows your commitment to support and accompany this campaign to promote lasting peace," she added.

The representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Yao N'Guessan, also congratulated the students for their commitment to promote the culture of peace, non-violence, democratic values and human rights. Through "your discussions with peace specialists, your lecturers, student leaders, religious leaders, youth organisations, will you are contributing to strengthening social cohesion in youth university,» he said.



Trophies were given to the winning teams of sports activities that were organized during the ceremony. The official ceremony was followed by the theoretical part of the sensitization programme which involved Search for Common Ground, the National Social Cohesion Programme and theFélix Houphouët Boigny Foundation for Peace.

The Special Representative then officially handed over a Quick Impact Project financed by UNOCI for the Jean Lorougnon Guédé University. The project consisted of 10 computers, internet connection via a modem of 5G. The official delegation then went to the University library to donate books provided by UNOCI.