UNIC Nairobi, in collaboration with the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police and Correction Services, Soldiers of Peace International Association and the Global Peace Foundation, organized the commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May at the United Nations Headquarter Complex in Gigiri.

The chief guest was the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Ambassador Rachael Omamo who was joined by other guests including the Kenya Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), Ambassador Martin Kimani, Chiefs from different Units of the security forces and organizations.

The ceremony commenced with a procession and a march past by former UN Peacekeepers, led by the military band.

In her speech, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Ambassador Rachael Omamo,  reiterated Kenya Government’s commitment to continue participating in  UN peacekeeping operations. “I wish to assure you that the defence forces shall continue to support the international community as and when called upon under the overall superintendence of the Commander-in-Chief, President Uhuru Kenyatta.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Amina Mohammed represented by Ambassador Martin Kimani emphasized “multilateral engagement for Kenya, particularly with the United Nations is a key pillar of our foreign policy and as such, we identify closely with the UN’s peacekeeping efforts and operations, which play a critical role in the maintenance of peace and stability around the globe.”
 
The Director General of the UN Office at Nairobi, Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, welcomed the guests and presented the Secretary-General’s speech where he noted how the UN is adapting to new challenges.  “United Nations peacekeeping is increasingly called on to deploy multi-dimensional operations to help countries transition from conflict to peace, with a significant focus on protecting civilians, including the most vulnerable among them: women and children” .
The Guests observed a minute of silence in honor of the departed peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty, followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

As part of the activities for the day, a successful blood donation exercise was carried out where UN staff members and invited guests donated blood.

The programme concluded with an interactive session with in-and out-of-school youths focussing on the role of young people in maintaining peace.  The youth had an opportunity to go through an exhibition on peace and security issues.

On 2 June, former Dean of Faculty of Law at Stockholm University, Dr. Saeid Mahmoudi, said that civil society all over the world has played a key role in promoting people’s right to peace. Dr. Mahmoud was addressing a seminar on “Human Rights Council and the Right to Peace”held in commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers at Khane Andishmandan-e Oloum Ensani (House of Humanities Intellectuals). He added, due to pressures from NGOs, the UN Human Rights Council had prepared a draft resolution on promoting the right to peace for all people throughout the world.

“Iran and a number of other countries have supported the Council’s resolution which calls for a new declaration on right to peace,” he pointed out.

Before Dr. Mahmoudi, had taken the floor, the National Information Officer for the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Tehran had delivered the UN Secretary-General’s message on International Day of UN Peacekeepers to the participants. 

The seminar was organized by the Iranian Association of UN Studies in cooperation with UNIC Tehran.

On 2 June, former Dean of Faculty of Law at Stockholm University, Dr. Saeid Mahmoudi, said that civil society all over the world has played a key role in promoting people’s right to peace. Dr. Mahmoud was addressing a seminar on “Human Rights Council and the Right to Peace”held in commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers at Khane Andishmandan-e Oloum Ensani (House of Humanities Intellectuals). He added, due to pressures from NGOs, the UN Human Rights Council had prepared a draft resolution on promoting the right to peace for all people throughout the world.

“Iran and a number of other countries have supported the Council’s resolution which calls for a new declaration on right to peace,” he pointed out.

Before Dr. Mahmoudi, had taken the floor, the National Information Officer for UNIC Tehran had delivered the UN Secretary-General’s message on International Day of UN Peacekeepers to the participants. 

The seminar was organized by the Iranian Association of UN Studies in cooperation with UNIC-Tehran.

“A golden future is one in which everybody will be counted and valued, nobody will be left behind,” UNIC New Delhi's Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman said at the launch of the ‘Golden Future of Bharat Festival’ a ten-day fest organized by the Brahmakumaris, an NGO with UNECOSOC and UNICEF consultative status. Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman was the guest of honor at the inauguration.
 
The aim of the festival was to work for the establishment of a non-violent and peaceful society. Around 8,000 people attended the inauguration, and thousands more were expected to visit over the next ten days.
 
Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman noted that the United Nations and the Brahmakumaris shared common values and that both worked to promote peace, non-violence and human rights. “Violence takes many forms,” she observed. “Discrimination and poverty are also forms of violence as they damage the dignity of an individual. We must practice the values of tolerance, compassion and equality and teach them to our children. Young boys will learn respect for women, and young girls will know that they must not accept or tolerate disrespectful or violent behavior.”
 
Other speakers at the inauguration included Sister Mohini, head of the US chapter of the Brahma Kumaris and Justice G.S. Singhvi of the Supreme Court of India, among others. The speakers emphasized the responsibility of every person to work towards making a difference and striving for a better world.
 
The festival had booths and stalls depicting different values of life, and also displayed paintings by schoolchildren on the theme The Future We Want - first exhibited by UNIC on the occasion of UN Day 2012.