The UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on Saturday 12 April 2014 took part in the 1st edition of the youth festival in Toulepleu, 650 km from Abidjan in the far west of the country. The festival was held under the sign of national reconciliation and reinforcement of social cohesion for a lasting peace.





The UNOCI representative, Vincent Kouakou of the Public Information Office welcomed the initiative of the youth not only to entertain and brighten the life of the population but also to provide an occasion for people to commune together. "We are calling on the youths to take this opportunity to create conditions for a lasting peace." Mr. Kouakou told the contestants for the beauty pageant to put their talent at the service of peace and reconciliation in Toulepleu which is in the process of reconstruction and development like other regions of the country.

District health officials took the opportunity to sensitise the population about HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy in school. A nurse at the general hospital, Diomande Idrissa told the youths to be of proper conduct that would safeguard them from certain phenomena which constitute a threat to youths. Mr. Idrissa drew the attention of parents to the risks facing school girls who have been left to their own devices without financial support, making them vulnerable to prostitution. "I call on parents to take their responsibility and to take charge of their daughters so they can be safe from situations that lead to early pregnancy as has been noted in the division," he appealed.

The president of the organizing committee, Zahanon Kone, on behalf of the youths, expressed gratitude to UNOCI for its untiring efforts to restore peace in their town. "Your efforts have enabled us to find peace, the guarantee of all development. If we are gathered here today for this festival, it is thanks to your support. We believe strongly that this event falls within the framework of the objectives you cherish so much namely, peace, reconciliation, social cohesion and the reconstruction of Toulepleu," he concluded.

The head of the socio-cultural service of the Toulepleu town council, Privat Ouallo expressed the hope that such events would continue to take place with the support of the local authorities and UNOCI, adding that the holding of the festival is an indication that Toulepleu had turned over a new leaf.