on 30 June, as part of the activities for the 10th Anniversary of Volunteers (IYV+10), the International Year of Youth and the 7 Billion Actions Campaign, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Khartoum, in partnership with the UN Volunteers Programme in Sudan and the UNFPA Y-Peer, organized an event celebrating the diversity of the population in Sudan.

Students from the Universities of Al-Ahfad for Women in the capital Khartoum, Al-Geneina in West Darfur and Kassala in Eastern Sudan volunteered to communicate the meaning of diversity in the 3 regions through drawing on walls.

On 23 July, the partners organized a session that brought together some 20 students from Al-Ahfad University for Women.

The session which was facilitated by the renowned Sudanese artist Khaled Hamid discussed the theme of the event and allowed students to draw sketches for the wall paintings.

As part of the activities organized in the framework of the International Year of Youth, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Khartoum, in collaboration with UNFPA Y-Peer, UNV Program and national NGOs, participated in the “10 days of activism” campaign which aimed at making the youth voice heard on various issues including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

On 2 July, the partners organized a workshop for young civil society activists on social media as a tool for raising awareness on ASRH.

On 3 July, in collaboration with Y-Peer and a national NGO (GESR for culture and Development), UNIC participated in a round table for young journalists on reporting on ASRH.

Children participate in a painting contest

On 24 October, an official event was organized at the Headquarters of Khartoum State Government. The event was addressed by the SRSG Mr. Haile Menkerios who read the Secretary General's message on the occasion, the Wali of Khartoum State, the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President of the United Nations Association.

DSRSG Mr. Georg Charpentier and considerable Heads or representatives of diplomatic missions attended the event. Before the speeches, the SRSG, the Wali and the Under-Secretary of MOFA raised the flags of the UN, Khartoum State and Sudan respectively.

On Friday 29 October 2010, a public event was organized on the occasion under the auspices of Commissioner of Khartoum North Locality, Eng. Mohamed Mekki at Bait Al-Finoun, a very well reputed art centre at Khartoum North. The event was attended by a large number of UN staff and members of the United National Association.

UN Day concert

Among the audience were the Commissioner of Khartoum North, the UNICEF Representative Mr. Nils Kastberg, Sudan Ambassador to Washington Dr. Akej Koj, SPLM Deputy Secretary General Yasir Arman and representatives from the Sudanese Women Union.

Performers dance during Human Rights Day celebration in Khartoum

With the aim of stimulating debate and to discuss actions or strategies that could encourage diversity and reduce intoler- ance, the United Nation Information Centre in Khartoum (UNIC Khartoum), in collabor- ation with the United Nations Association in Sudan (UNA-Sudan), organized a colorful event to celebrate the Human Rights Day on 13 December 2009. Hosted by the Rashid Diab Arts Centre, the event attracted more than 800 attendees, particularly women and youth.

Guest speakers from the Rashid Diab Arts Centre, NGOs, the UNA, UN Country Team, and academia addressed the forum offering interesting statements that provoked questions and encouraged participation from the audience.

The commemoration ceremony included an exhibition of arts from across the country, with live music and folklore performances. Audience members joined in during the celebrations by dancing and singing during the performance by Mulook Al-Nil (Kings of the Nile), a Sudanese band.