Students from Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké want to contribute to maintaining a peaceful climate during forthcoming elections in Côte d'Ivoire. In order to attain this goal, they have set up a platform to promote peace and democracy.



The launch of the Platform's activities was held on Friday, 9 October 2015 in Bouaké, in the presence of United Nations officials, as well as local administrative and academic authorities, including the Chancellor of the University, Professor Marcelin Lazare Poame. The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) provided the students with logistical support, while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) donated funds.



The creation of the platform is part of follow-up to recommendations made during a sensitisation campaign for students in higher education colleges and universities organised in May 2015 by the United Nations in Côte d'Ivoire, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.



In his address to the gathering, the president of the platform, Stéphanie Nadège Koffi, said that the objective was to make students not only ambassadors of peace and non-violence, but also to convince them to definitively renounce violence and show maturity and responsibility. « In effect, during this general election period in Côte d'Ivoire and particuliarly during the presidential election campaign, we the students of Alassane Ouattara University, have decided to ask ourselves what role we should play in maintaining peace in our country, » she explained.



In this regard, a conference on the theme ''As a youth, what is my contribution to free and peaceful elections ?'', was led by Dr. Mel Agnero, a lecturer in the law faculty. In his presentation, he urged students to behave responsibly and to avoid violence in their daily lives.



The chief of UNOCI's Office in Sector East, Donatella Guibilaro, welcomed the initiative. « I congratulate you for having implemented the recommendations made during the university camapign. Take charge of the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire in order to give yourselves the chance to complete your studies before going on to your professional lives », she told the student.



We the young people will not allow ourselves to be manipulated





Visibly happy, the students expressed their gratitude to the United Nations through the following words. « Have confidence in us. We young people now understand and we will not allow ourseklves to be manipulated », said Koffi Ange from the faculty of Philosophy.