Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian political capital, on Friday, 3 July 2015, hosted the finale of the sensitisation campaign to promote the culture of peace among students in universities and high education colleges in the country. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, Ivorian Prime Minister, Daniel Kablan Duncan, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientic Research, Gnamien Konan, as well as the Representative of the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), Yao Ydo and the Prefect of Bélier Region and Yamoussoukro, André Assoumou Ekponon.



The aim of the sensitisation campaign, which started on 26 February 2015 at the Félix Houphouët Boigny University in Abidjan, was to create a platform of exchange for the promotion of peace, in support of the ''Alassane Salif Ndiaye'' Student Charter for Non-Violence, and initiatives undertaken in this regard by the national authorities.



The 2015 campaign ended with a rich, instructive ceremony attended by some 2000 students from seven universities based in five regions who were involved in the campaign. It was in this spirit that the students came to Houphouet Boigny Foundation, a symbol of peace and cohesion to show their commitment to peace and a culture of non-violence, through their activities.



The Special Representative, who took part in seven editions of the snesitisation campaign, expressed her gratitude to the Ivorian Prime Minister for his participation in the ceremony and thanked the national authorities who spared no effort in supporting this « adventure ». « Peace was at the heart of this campaign and this ceremony which brings us all together to officially seal the commitments that you have made voluntarily to promote peace and non-violence, » said Mrs Mindaoudou, before recalling that the campaign which was jointly launched by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, is a contribution to efforts by the national authorities to establish a peaceful climate in preparation for presidential election in October 2015.



« Today marks a pause in the campaign and the ceremony is to close the first stage,», said Mrs Mindaoudou to the great satisfaction of the students, partners and guests. She encouraged the 870 students who were trained during the campaign to be real vectors for the promotion of peace in their respective universities, colleges and campuses and to be models for their generation, and invited them to use their talent in the service of peace.

It should be noted that students from Félix Houphouët Boigny, Nangui Abrogoua d'Abidjan, Lorougnon Guédé de Daloa, Alassane Ouattara universties, the Institut polytechnique de Yamoussoukro and the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) attended sensitisation sessions on the promotion of the culture of peace, democractic civic education and reconciliation which were followed by discussions during four months.



Speaking on behalf of the Conference of presidents of public universities in Côte d'Ivoire, Professor Affian Kouadio welcomed « this great initiative » from UNOCI. Quoting the Special Representative who said that « school is the door to peace », he said that universities and high education colleges should be the places where one can aspre to a good life.



Addressing the Special Representative, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research said :« You were truly inspired when you decided to initiate this campaign ». He also gave a brief history of university education in the country which he said had been marked by repeated crisis, strikes, barbarism and violence. Minister Gnamien Konan stressed the need to preserve peace, especially with elections being a few months away. He then urged students who had gone though the training who fully play their role. He also expressed his gratitude for the computer equipment that had been donated to the universities by the United Nations Development Programme.

The Ivorian Prime Minister for his part, focused on ''éducation, peace and development'' in his contribution. « There can be no human development without peace and a culture of non-violence and peace favours development, and all of this passes by youths who are aware, who have a sense of forgiveness, tolerance and sharing », stressed Mr. Duncan, adding that « nothing is positive and nothing can last and nothing can be built in indiscipline ». He urged the students to conform to the motto of Côte d'Ivoire : ''Unity, Discipline, Work''.



« It is everyone's duty to preserve our achievements for future generations...The politician's politics has no place in university campuses and that is the reason that I welcome this initiative by UNOCI which reminds us all that peace is important », said the Prime Minister. « Peace is not just a word, its how you behave, dear students use all you have been taught about the promotioon of peace in your daily lives», Mr. Duncan told the students.



It should be noted that the campaign's success was largely due to strong mobilisation and commitment of the students. This commitment was onmce again renewed during the closing ceremony which was attended by local authorities, as well as partners including representatives of the Félix Houphouet Boigny Foundation for Peace, international NGO Search for Common Ground (SFCG), the National Programme for Social Cohesion and United Nations agencies including UNDP and UNESCO.



The students for their part, read out messages of peace marking their commitment and promised to be real ambassadors of peace, promising to depoliticise Ivorian universities and higher education colleges.