The town of Bouna (600 km north-east of Abidjan) recently hosted the second phase of the programme "{Social dialogue for development in Bounkani region}" organized by the Civil Affairs Section of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI). The awareness-raising programme was aimed at consolidating peace through dialogue between the population of the region and their administrative authorities, senior managers and elites of the region.



The idea was to inculcate a non-violent approach to the resolution of differences. The Chief of Post of UN Police in Bouna, Commandant Didier Katunda reminded the people that there can be no development without social cohesion.

Addressing the opening of the discussions, the Prefect of the region, Tuo Fozie expressed satisfaction with the UNOCI initiative and urged the population to take ownership of it by discarding all ethnic and religious barriers. He invited participants to another meeting set for 1 October 2014 to further reflect and seek ways to implement the recommendations adopted by the forum.



Civil Affairs representative Annita Traore presented a report on the outcome of similar meetings held in the four divisions of the region: Nassian, Doropo,Tehini, and Bouna. Topics discussed included 'governance and social cohesion', 'civic responsibility and lasting peace', 'rights and obligations of citizens'.

At the end of the discussions which brought together chiefs of administrative services, community and opinion leaders, senior managers and elites from the four divisions of the region, participants made a commitment to improve intercommunity relations, strengthen social cohesion and bring the administration closer to the population.