Abidjan, 5 October 2009... The Civil Affairs Section of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), on 29 and 30 September 2009, organized a seminar in the Mission's headquarter in Abidjan, to reinforce the capacity of its staff in conflict resolution and social cohesion.

The training was aimed at equipping participants with the tools to help them provide better support to activities to consolidate social cohesion between communities in Côte d'Ivoire.

Two national experts, Dr. Touré-Diabaté Tenin, a sociologist and Dr. Jean-Mathieu Essis Essoh, a teacher on conflict resolution, shared with participants their knowledge on the topics discussed and advised on the practical tools that are specific to the case of Côte d'Ivoire. These tools were used by the participants to draw up strategies on the management of social cohesion in accordance with UNOCI's mandate.

The training was enriched by a presentation by Professor Kassoro Gnaboua, anthropologist and sociologist of development, on the concepts of inter-ethnic alliances and relationships based on traditional methods of conflict management.

Apart from staff from the Civil Affairs Section, representatives from UNOCI's Public Information Office and the Human Rights Division, as well as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office also took part.