As part of the implementation of the joint Project for Assistance and Improvement of Access to Legal Rights and Justice in Côte d'Ivoire, initiated by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the European Union, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and their partner, the NGO, the Association of Women Lawyers of Côte d'Ivoire, the Legal Clinic in Man, on 29, 30 and 31 July 2013, organized a training session for 45 "community intermediaries" from the Tonkpi and Guemon regions in Man, situated some 600 km northwest of Côte d'Ivoire.



Participants had their capacity strengthened through several modules related to issues including children's rights, the right to land, organization of the judiciary and the procedures for access to justice.



In his address during the closing ceremony, the head of the Rule of Law Office in Man, appealed to participants to be fully aware of the immense challenges that are linked to obtaining access to justice for all.

« I urged you to stand firm with devotion and commitment in the dissemination of the information that you have just been obtained and tell people about the legal clinic to all those who might need its help," he told participants.



The director of the Legal Clinic in Man, Aminata Koulibali, reminded participants that they were not lawyers, adding: "This training was initiated to give you basic information, so that you can in turn pass this on to the general public and refer them to the legal clinic".



Participants at the training session said they were happy to have taken part in it. « The training that I have just received has given me the information I need to provide better explanations of issue related to land within my community and to tell victims how they can get justice," said Arnauld Koui Augustin, one of the participants. Another, Anicette Gompou from Danané said that she had already noticed a change in her behavior. "I hope that my contribution in managing affairs in my community will help resolve conflicts which could threaten social cohesion,", she added.



At the end of the session, each participant was given a legal kit will serve as a guide in carrying out their task.