Abidjan, 31 August 2009...Youths of the Santé I District, in the Abidjan commune of Attecoubé, organized a sports and cultural day on 29 August in order to seal their reconciliation with their peers of the neighboring district of Boribana. The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) used the opportunity to sensitize the young people on the need to ensure a calm social climate.

The event included quizzes, awareness sessions and a football match.

"Your district is the materialization of successful reintegration at the national and sub-regional levels," the head of UNOCI's delegation, Eliane Hervo-Akendengué, told participants. "Dialogue must always prevail," she added, assuring the youths of UNOCI's continuous support to Côte d'Ivoire for a definitive resolution of the crisis.

"Young people must contribute to a peaceful environment through personal commitment and their daily behavior," UNOCI outreach officer Jean Claude Tamo said in a lecture on "The contribution of young people to a climate of calm" that he delivered at the event. Mr. Tamo highlighted the contribution of youths to the calm that currently prevails and invited them to preserve this climate, particularly during the electoral period.

Two other UNOCI experts, Nestor Kouamé and Trah Siagbé, focused their respective messages on the fight against HIV/AIDS and gender promotion.

The football match between two mixed teams – each of them made up of youths from both districts - ended the festivities. The winning team was awarded UNOCI's peace trophy. Participants in the quizzes also received various gifts from the UN mission.

Religious leaders, the heads of migrant communities from neighboring countries and members of women's and youth associations took part in the event. They thanked UNOCI for having attended it and delivering the message of peace.