"Youths in Toulepleu say yes to peace and development". This was the slogan conceived by young people from Toulepleu in the western part of Côte d'Ivoire, at the end of a sensitisation workshop organized by the Civil Affairs Section of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on Tuesday, 15 September 2015.



The objective of the workshop was to contribute to the creation of a peaceful electoral environment in the department of Toulepleu during the upcoming elections. Seizing the opportunity of the meeting, the UN Mission reaffirmed its support to local authorities' efforts to bring peace among communities.



Moreover, the UN Field Coordinator in Toulepleu, Hélène Sylvie Zomahoun said that young people were the ones who paid the heavy price during the recent crises in Côte d'Ivoire. "They are easily manipulated not only because of their geographical position, but also because of their evident lack of peace culture", Ms. Zomahoun said.



The deputy prefect of Toulepleu, Albert Tra Bi, said thathe was satisfied by UNOCI's actions to support young people during the pre-election period. He asked the youths to become agents of peace to consolidate the peace in the region. He also asked them to work hard to transform their department into a development model.



"You are the actors and beneficiaries of peace and development. For these reasons, do your best to give Toulepleu a peaceful image," he said.

"Youth, peace and development" was the main theme of the workshop. Several panelists from various sections of UNOCI, members of the Post-conflict Assistance Project (PCAP), Mano River Union, the departmental directorate of the Ministry for the Promotion of Youth, Sports and Recreation and the Mayor's Office made different presentations to help the young people to understand the need to have a peaceful environment during the presidential election.



Some 160 participants came from different villages in the department. They agreed to promote non-violence and live together peacefully by practicing tolerance, forgiveness, fairness, objectivity, equal justice and solidarity. They agreed to educate themselves through training and awareness-raising sessions, to practice non-violence and accept the results of the forthcoming election. Furthermore, they expressed their desire to become self-sufficient through hard work. They agreed to respect cultural values, their institutions and public infrastructure and to develop a social conscience because they realise that they were main actors in their own development.



Speaking on behalf of the young people, their president, Charly Muller Gnanhan, expressed their satisfaction with the activity which has convinced them to resolutely work for peace and development in their department.