Oumé, 3 October 2009... The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) organized on 2nd October 2009, a conference-debate on "The contribution of young people in Oumé to the culture of peace and non-violence in an electoral period" to commemorate International Day of Non violence in Oumé, situated 70 km from Yamoussoukro.

After the screening of a documentary on non violence, which was attended by about 100 young people, three sub-topics were discussed. A presentation on "Non-violence" was made by the Public Information Officer in Yamoussoukro, Lassila Nzeyimana; "Human Rights and violence" was dealt with by Human Rights Officer, Abdouramane Bakayoko while the deputy director of the catholic college, St François of Oumé, Yvonne Sei, made a presentation on "Violence in the school environment".

Ms. Nzeyimana said that the peaceful resolution of conflicts was one of the ways to implement the values of non violence and tolerance. "We need the contribution of everyone for a culture of peace and non violence to be promoted in Oumé, particularly during the electoral period," she added.

Abdouramane Bakayoko invited the audience to practice non violence by respecting and promoting human rights. "Human rights go along with non violence and violence cannot resolve conflicts that arise daily in our societies in a lasting way," she insisted.

Mrs. Sei recalled that teachers' strikes and violent student demonstrations which took place in Oumé during the last academic year had produced terrible consequences, including poor school results. "We should all take up non violence and dialogue because violence is the weapon of weak people," she said.

During the debate, participants particularly pleaded for the incorporation of the notion of non violence and human rights in school curricula so that young Ivorians could really understand and put these values into practice. "We solemnly commit ourselves to non violence, particularly in an electoral period and we ask for UNOCI's support so that we can sensitize the inhabitants of Oumé," said the spokesman of the participants, Traoré Kassoum.

International Day of Non Violence, established by the United Nations Organization in 2007, provide an opportunity to convey non violence messages, by actions, education and awareness-raising. The Day's date, the 2nd October, is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the main founders of non violent action, which led India towards independence.