On 29 September, the UN Information Centre in Islamabad organized an award-winning ceremony for seven-year-old Areen Hammad from Pakistan who won a prize in the 2012 UN Art for Peace disarmament education contest.

Of the 6,623 entries received from 92 countries, young Areen ranked fourth in the 5-8 year-old category. UN Information Centre Director Kazuo Tase presented the third-grader with her award certificate as well as art supply prizes during a special ceremony hosted by the Guidance House School and College System in Mirpur AJK. 

"I wish I could clean up all weapons from world, so that we can live without any fear of war or terrorism" Areen said at the event. 

Mirpur University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Naib Hussain Chaudhry addressed the gathering, and also present were former president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Saeed; the teacher for the Cambridge International Certificate for Teachers and Trainers Muhammad Nawaz; and school Vice Principal Mrs. Saba Rashed Qureshi. 

School Principal Mrs. Ghazala Khan proudly supported the young artist stating "We are proud of Areen who promoted the high image of Pakistan and the Islamic World as peace-loving people depicting an unequivocal vision of a peaceful world".

During the award ceremony, the need for trained teachers in both the private and public sectors to work together to eradicate illiteracy was emphasized. 

The Art for Peace contest was a three-month long disarmament education contest launched by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. Youth were encouraged to watch a short online film and then to “imagine a world free of nuclear weapons”. Based on their musings, they were asked to create original artwork and upload it to a dedicated web page. Participants in three age groups 5-8, 9-12 and 13-17 tapped their imaginations and illustrated their visions of a world free of nuclear weapons, without wars, without fear.

To see all of the art submitted, please visit http://www.unartforpeace.org/

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Islamabad interacted with university students during a workshop on the “United Nation Role in the Development and Empowerment of Women”. More than 150 graduate students of Gender and Women Studies from all parts of the country participated.

In a two-hour interactive session, presenters covered a wide array of topics as they explained the role and functions of different UN entities working on women’s issues. Topics ranged from human rights and the Millennium Development Goals, to violence against women, leadership, participation, reproductive health and much more.

The interactive discussion that followed illustrated the confidence and commitment level among youth to bring about positive change in the society. Male students from various areas of the country, also studying gender issues, were likewise engaged in changing conservative approaches and behaviors about women in their areas.
More than 60 per cent of the total population of the country is comprised of youth.

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Islamabad held an advance discussion forum with the heads of national and international print and electronic media, on 6 August 2009. The Humanitarian Coordinator, a.i Wolfgang Herbinge, along with a team of leading UN Communication specialists including UNIC, OCHA, WFP, UNICEF shared the background information and significance of the World Humanitarian Day with media representatives. Media appreciated the United Nations’ initiative to involve them in the planning and advocacy of the event in advance.
UNIC arranged the translation of the public information materials, including the UN Secretary General’s message of into Urdu and widely disseminated to both English and Urdu audience, including media, government, non-governmental organizations and humanitarian community. 
UNIC coordinated with UN Humanitarian Communication focal points and arranged for exclusive interviews. A private broadcaster, FM100 run a two-hour live talk show on 18 August 2009. UNIC also arranged for an exclusive broadcast of the public service announcements (in local and national language) at the Voice of America.
On 19 August, UNIC hosted a Press Conference to commemorate World Humanitarian Day and provided its every communication and coordination support for the event. The Head Coordinator, Martin Mogwanja, and two representatives from a national and international NGOs addressed the press conference. A large number of media attended the press conference.

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Islamabad mobilized educational institutions all over the country to stand up and take action and register their commitment to fight poverty from 17-19 October.

Over 25 schools, colleges and universities were contacted to take part in the campaign. Schools were encouraged to invite students to sign a petition to register their voices in the fight against poverty. UNIC Islamabad provided materials such as banners, posters, petition forms and guidelines to the participating schools.  In all, 34 147 people signed petitions.

In addition to the petition signing, most schools and colleges arranged "Stand Up" moments in their morning assemblies and university faculty members highlighted the campaign in lecture halls and in sessions arranged on campus.