The UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Kathmandu observed the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust  on 29 January with a reading of the UN Secretary-General’s message on the Day followed by a minute of silence as tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides that have taken place elsewhere. This was followed by a screening of the documentary “The Rescuers” for students, UN staff members and the media.

A lively discussion followed with students from various schools talking about the lessons learnt from the Holocaust and its relevance to the socio-cultural transformation and issues being debated in Nepal.

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Kathmandu lead an e-Library project on behalf of the UN inter-agency IT Taskforce (IAITTF) in Nepal that left smiles and invigorated students in its wake. 

Within the cultural city of Bhaktapur, students at Samaj Sudhar Secondary School worked without computers or any other modern equipment.

As part of an ICT for Development project, the UN System in Nepal and NGO "Help Nepal" donated five reconditioned computers, provided logistical support and launched an e-Library at the public school, which goes through grade 10. 

The project not only added value in terms of learning, but the computers have also motivated the students and instilled a sense of pride.

IAITTF is a group of UN IT focal points in Nepal mandated to do IT research for development and business operations and to provide appropriate IT advice to management. 

UNIC prepared a documentary on the project that can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06e0oz_R1VY

Under the theme "Holocaust and Children", UNIC Kathmandu commemorated the Memory of Victims of the Holocaust on 27 January 2012 in Pulchowk, Nepal. The event began with a flash-mob performance at Patan Durbar Square and a rally at the UN House. Robert Piper, the UN Resident Coordinator, said that we will never know what contributions the children killed in the Holocaust could have made to society and that we must learn from history and protect those most vulnerable: the children.

Students participated from Graded English Medium School, Valley View School, Chelsea International Academy and Koseli School. Music was performed by Akshendra Jha and the Justice Denied band, Revigya Joshi and Utpal Kandel. A warm-up dance exercise followed by crowd-based rap performances livened the event that went on to team-building sports activities, where seven groups of children from different schools bonded from different social backgrounds.

The children seemed to comprehend affected by the message the UN was relaying. With speeches on the Holocaust and a documentary entitled "The Last Flight of Petr Ginz", the children became knowledgeable about the pain, suffering and loss of life during the Nazi-era and gained insight to the notion that racism is harmful to individuals as well as to the society as a whole.

"We learned a lot about the ruthless murders during the time of Hitler and how racism can affect people", said eleven-year-old Apekshya Khanal from Chelsea International Academy.

Participants of the UN Day event

UN Day event, organized by the UN Country Team, was attended by over 600 participants, including the Country’s Prime Minister and his Deputy, the Foreign Minister, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal, and the SG’s Representative and Head of the UN Mission in Nepal among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal praised the UN for its support to Nepal’s peace process and socio-economic development. He said, “From peacekeeping to peace building and conflict resolution, from poverty alleviation to human development and disarmament, from human rights to climate change and environmental conservation, the UN has become a truly global instrument for peace and development cooperation in today’s world” adding, “Nepal has always been faithful in undertaking its international obligations under the UN Charter.”

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal, Mr. Robert Piper said the UN Day is an important opportunity for all the 22 agencies consisting of 2,200 staff that make up the UN Country Team in Nepal – to re-commit its support to the host Government. He stressed on the need for greater stability in the broadest sense, in Nepal, requiring not only fewer cantonments and greater political power sharing, but also progress on issues like rule of law, equity and democracy.

Also speaking on the occasion, the SG's Representative and Head of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Karin Landgren reaffirmed that the UN will continue to do all it can to support the peace process in Nepal. "UNMIN has done its part to support Nepal’s peace process, including through assistance to the Constituent Assemblr elections. UNMIN continues to monitor the management of arms and armies and to encourage the parties to keep the peace process on track," said Landgren.

The staff, who outstandingly served the UN for the longest time, was saluted at a ceremony conducted by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. The ceremony followed by an enthralling performance by a popular Nepali classical musical ensemble "Sur Sudha".