Divo, 28 August 2009...Youth leaders from the Sud Bandama region signed a commitment to help ensure a calm environment during the electoral period, at the end of a training seminar organized in Divo on 26-27 August by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

The theme of the seminar was "Commitment of the Young People of Sud Bandama for a calm electoral climate". It was aimed at building the youth leaders' capacity in areas related to the culture of peace and social cohesion with an eye to their participation in the crisis-resolution process in Côte d'Ivoire.

The 75 participants represented youth groups from the four departments of Sud Bandama region – Divo, Lakota, Guitry and Fresco. In the written pledge they signed, "Commitment for Peace by the Youths of the South Bandama region", they promised to spread the values on which the culture of peace is based. They also pledged other actions, including the involvement of young people in social cohesion activities in their respective communities as well as in the protection of and respect for human rights.

« Through this written commitment, we formalise our pledge to spare no effort to promote the values of tolerance, love, harmony [and] peaceful co-existence, which are the foundation of all harmonious societies," said Aubin Adjehi, spokesman of the youths and President of the municipal youth association in Divo.

Congratulating the young people for their maturity, Samy Passalet, UNOCI Information Officer in Divo, noted : « The commitment you have signed, with the international community as a witness, shows that the young people of Sud Bandama really embrace the logic of building lasting peace, as described in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, which is today helping the country to emerge from the crisis, with the help of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire ».

The Sous-Prefet [District Commissioner] of Divo, Zébé Tétiali, paid homage to UNOCI's actions in favour of peace. "Since UNOCI established itself in Divo [earlier this year] things have been moving. Its action is effective on the ground. The town is busy, thanks to this UN mission, which is a real sign of the restoration of peace," he said, urging the youths to respect their commitments.

The seminar is part of efforts by UNOCI to promote a culture of peace with a view to the establishment of a calm environment ahead of upcoming elections.