A moment of silence for the fourteen members of the Burundian contingent who were killed in Somalia in February 2009

In commemoration of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Bujumbura co-organized with the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) a photo exhibition on Burundi's participation in UN and African Union peacekeeping operations in Côte d'Ivoire, Chad, Somalia and Sudan. The exhibit took place on UNIC Bujumbura's premises on 29 May 2009. The photo exhibition illustrated the participation of Burundian women in peacekeeping operations and the photos were obtained by UNIC Bujumbura from the National Army and the Police.

Prior to launching the exhibition, an official ceremony was held in the UNIC's conference room and included a speech on behalf of the UN System in Burundi made by the Deputy Executive Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Burundi, Ms. Bintou Keita. The official opening speech on behalf of the Government was made by the Chef de Cabinet in the Ministry of National Defense and Former Combatants. He emphasized that Burundi will not stop contributing the troops for peacekeeping, recalling the presence of Burundian military and police troops in Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad and Somalia. He also called for a moment of silence in memory of the fourteen members of the Burundian contingent who were killed in Somalia in February 2009.

A former peacekeeper spoke of his experiences as a peacekeeper in Darfur and showed videos of his activities in Darfur. UNIC Bujumbura also screened the film entitled, “Women in Peacekeeping: the Power to Empower.”

As part of the ceremony, three soldiers performed a song in the Kirundi language, in praise of the United Nations role in bringing peace in the world and the government of Burundi for its participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Approximately one hundred people participated in the commemoration among them representatives of the Government, diplomatic corps, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), military and police corps, and heads of UN agencies. 

View film "Women in Peacekeeping: the Power to Empower" on the United Nations channel on YouTube

UNIFEM's Executive Director, Ms. Inés Alberdi (second from right), at press conference

Ms. Inés Alberdi, the Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), made a three day visit to Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, from 6 to 9 May 2009. The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Bujumbura provided assistance with media coverage and communications for the visit.

Prior to the Executive Director's arrival, the National Information Officer of UNIC Bujumbura organized a press briefing at UNIC premises on 5 May to brief journalists about the upcoming visit and about the work of UNIFEM in Burundi and worldwide. Approximately 35 journalists representing local and international media attended the briefing and received press kits.

On 7 May, UNIC Bujumbura organized a media event to launch UNIFEM's flagship report "Progress of the World's Women 2008/2009", which was attended by the First Vice-President of the Republic and on 8 May a press conference was held at UNIC Bujumbura, during which Ms. Alberdi expressed her satisfaction with the steps taken by the Burundian Government towards empowering women and fighting against gender based violence. While Ms. Alberdi lauded this progress, she also highlighted the shortcomings of these efforts and emphasized there was still much work to be done before gender equality can be achieved. The Minister of Human Rights and Gender also participated in the press conference.

A Mass at Regina Mundi Cathedral, Bujumbura in memory of the victims of the Rwandan genocide

To mark the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, the United Nations Information Office (UNIC) in Bujumbura co-organized a series of activities with the Rwandan Embassy in Burundi and the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB).
 
On 6 April 2009, a press conference was held, chaired by the Ambassador of Rwanda in Burundi. During the press conference, UNIC Bujumbura screened the documentary entitled, “Rwandan Media: Past and Present,” a film that details the trial of three managers of Rwandan radio stations who were found guilty of promulgating “hate” messages via the media and examines the role the media played in the genocide.  

On 7 April 2009, a Mass in memory of the victims of the genocide took place in Regina Mundi Cathedral, Bujumbura and was attended by the First Vice-President of the Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the UN System and the Rwandan community residing in Burundi, as well as the general public.
 
On 11-13 April 2009, UNIC Bujumbura organized a three-day photo exhibition in support of a series of conferences organized by the Rwandan Embassy in Burundi on the themes referring to the Rwandan genocide. During the three days, UNIC Bujumbura continuously screened the following films and documentaries about the Rwandan genocide including "The Road to Reconciliation", "A Friend in Need", "Confronting the Threat of Genocide", "Inside the ICTR", "Women for Women" and "The Kigali Genocide Memorial."
 
On 13 April 2009 an official ceremony was held to close out the series of memorial activities. The Secretary General’s message for the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda was read by the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi , Mr. Youssef Mahmoud. Speeches were also made by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, the Executive Secretary for the Great Lakes Region and the Ambassador of Rwanda in Burundi.

The Minister of Human Rights and Gender (right) and the Governor of Muramvya province (left) performing a cultural dance with a local folkloric dance group

On 8 March 2009, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Bujumbura organized an event together with other UN offices in Burundi to commemorate International Women's Day. The event was held in Muramvya province. The theme for the day was "Women and men united to end violence against women and girls."

Speakers at the event included the Executive Representative of the Secretary General (ERSG) in Burundi, the Minister of Human Rights and Gender and the Governor of Muramvya province. The event was attended by representatives of the Government, civil society, national and international NGOs and the Diplomatic corps. A local folkloric dance troupe also performed at the event.