Members of the Youth Parliament of Côte d'Ivoire would like to take an active part in the peace process and national reconciliation. This commitment was made on Saturday, 10 August 2013 in Daloa by Vah Yao Josué, the president of this organization during the sixth anniversary of International Youth Day. The day's activities focused on conferences hosted by the Office of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in Daloa and the local office of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the theme "The place of youths in the development of society".



Leading the UNOCI delegation, Kramoh Félicité from the Mission's Human Rights Division urged the young parliamentarians and all Ivorian youths to definitively renounce violence as a means of expression and revenge. "Young people should from now on banish violence as a means of expression and revenge. This is the only way that you can have the confidence of the decision-makers of Daloa," she said.



Speaking on the theme: "the culture of peace and the contribution of youths to lasting social cohesion", Inza Dosso of the Civil Affairs Section, instructed participants on the techniques of peaceful conflict resolution. Anicet Bekrou of the Public Information Office made a presentation on the harmful effects of spreading rumours.



Welcoming the initiative of the Youth Parliament, Ouasselou Gnepka, the sous-préfet of Central Daloa urged the youths shun idleness and opt instead for making an effort and working. "You will only gain people's confidence by being serious and by having a sense of responsibility," he added.



The celebration of the sixth anniversary of International Youth Day also involved sports activities including ''maracana'' – (five-a-side football) by youths from the neighbourhood of Tazibouo. Two matches were played by participants who shared the values of fair-play and social cohesion – both of which are promoted through sport.





The youths in Toulepleu had the same idea as confirmed by their leaders on Saturday, 10 August 2013, when they announced their willingness to commit to the development of their town. The announcement was made during an activity organized by UNOCI to celebrate International Youth Day. Some 20 participants from different youth groups and neighbourhoods in the town discussed "Local development and the involvement of youths"



For Mr. Koula Gueye Emile, the fourth deputy mayor the event gave local youths the opportunity to discuss and envisage how they can contribute to the development of their town. At the end of the discussions, the youths decided to set a permanent forum and initiate civic actions to fight against an unhealthy environment and sensitise their counterparts on the value of honest work through an operation entitled "one youth, one plantation", the promotion of good governance, and the fight against gender-based violence. They also asked for UNOCI's support in carrying their projects.