"Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign event in Madagascar

October 16, 2009

A group of youth show their enthusiasm in the "Stand Up" campaign event in Ambalavao

A three day activity was organized by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Antananarivo, the UNDP Office in Madagascar, and the Association of Girl Guides and Scouts to mark the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign in Madagascar.

On 16 October, the opening ceremony took place at Ambalavao, a commune specifically chosen by the UN System because of their iniative to implement the Millennium Development Goals. The UN Resident Coordinator, Peter Metcalf and the UNDP deputy Resident Representative, Corneille Agossou came to honor the ceremony during which the UN System offered a computer to the town hall and tool kits for the students. The Resident Coordinator transmitted the UN Secretary General’s message, “Take Action” celebration which coincided with the World Food Day.

The Mayor in his speech expressed gratefulness for having been chosen as the host of the event and for the UN System support. Later, the officials visited various stands of the exhibition dedicated to fight against poverty, healthy food, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and reproduction health. There were also basketball and football matches, which ended with a prize ceremony for the winners.

A partnership agreement was signed on 17 October between the UNDP project ASAMA (Educational Center for Deprived Children and Youth) and the BFV-SG Bank at Alasora to commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Later, in the afternoon, at the JJ Rabearivelo High School, there was a film screening produced by the UNICEF Office in Madagascar.

On 18 October, the UNDP in cooperation with UNIC Antananarivo officially closed the three day "Stand Up" campaign activity in parallel with launch of the Year of Education for Scouts. 

In total, about 6,000 people stood up against poverty during the three day rally.

The International Day of Peace celebration in Madagascar

September 21, 2009
Youth send up balloons at the event to mark the International Day of Peace

Youth send up balloons at the event to mark the International Day of Peace

In the framework of the International Day of Peace celebration, the UN Club and the Scouts Organization in Madagascar "Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara" supported by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Antananarivo, UNICEF Office in Madagascar and seven NGOs responsible for the TANA Project, held an event at the catholic school ESCA Antanimena.

The official opening began by the speech of the representative of the TANA Project, followed by a brief presentation of the seven NGOs.

The TANA project objective is to sensitize people in Antananarivo on peace.  Other several activities were held simultaneously for the youth: the matches of rugby and basketball and the film screening on a fight against violence. The UNIC National Information Officer, Zoé Rasoaniaina, delivered the Secretary General’s message for the day. A video “We Must Disarm” was screened to the participants.

Later, the UNICEF Resident Representative, Bruno Maes, spoke about the importance of peace in peoples’ everyday life, especially for children and youth. He also briefed the audience on the activities that UNICEF carried out to promote peace education.

One of the greatest successes of the event was a production of modules on peace education divided into different volumes: identity, similarities and differences, inclusion and exclusion, conflict and problem solving.

UNICEF distributed prizes to qualified journalists who participated in the different media workshops and competitions on the right of a child.

Madagascar celebrates International Youth Day

August 12, 2009
The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Antananarivo organized mini society projects and drawing competitions to mark International Youth Day. Twenty young people aged between 11 and 24 years took part in the activity which was held at the UNIC office on August 12th 2009. The international celebration topic of this day was « Sustainability, our challenge, our future »
Participants at the event organized to mark International Youth Day

Participants at the event organized to mark International Youth Day

At the beginning of the activity, the National Information Officer, Zoé Rasoaniana, read to the participants the message of the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon addressing to all youth. Three of the world greatest challenges were mentioned in the message such as unemployment, society life and climate change.
The participants gave their best during two hours as well for the drawing competition which was only for those aged between 11 and 14. The mini society projects contest was given for those aged older than 15. The aim is that all of them could express their opinion and share their vision so as to create a better world and also contribute in the fight against poverty and unemployment in a sustainable environment.
Razafintsoavina Aina Henintsoa and Rakotomalala Jerrica, the winners of the drawing contest were given special prizes whereas each of the participants were distributed a T-shirt, books and pens by the UNIC.
This celebration demonstrated that Malagasy Youth are conscious of their responsibilities towards their country and are willing to actively contribute to create a better world for a better future.
The celebration of this Day continued on August 22nd with association of young women and the youth network on MDGs. Workshop was organized at the UNIC conference room on that Day. “Together we can change our world” presented the main topic of the workshop.

UNIC Antananarivo marks the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda

April 8, 2009
Participants at peace event at the Lycee Andohalo in Antananarivo

Participants at peace event at the Lycee Andohalo in Antananarivo

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Antananarivo organized two events to commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.  The first event on 7 April 2009 was the opening of an exhibit at UNIC Antananarivo about the genocide. Through photos, words and film, visitors to UNIC Antananarivo learned more about how the genocide happened, how it could have been prevented and the cost of inaction. Approximately 500 students visited the exhibit in its first two days. The exhibit will be open to the public until the end of April 2009.

On 8 April 2009, an event for peace was held at the Lycee Andohalo in Antananarivo. Participants included students, scouts, survivors of the Rwandan genocide and the media. Speakers included experts on human rights and UNIC Antananarivo's National Information Officer. The scouts distributed peace messages and members of the UN Club performed in a show about love and peace. Young people at the event committed to spreading the message of peace.