H.E Yamina Karitanyi Rwandan Ambassador signs visitor's book

The UN Information Center (UNIC) Nairobi, in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission, organized the observance of the 19th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide with students from various universities, secondary and primary schools in Kenya under the slogan “Healing, Reconciliation and Reconstruction”.  

Prior to the observance, the students participated in essay writing and art work on the topic "imagination of a country with no conflict". This initiative aimed to underline the responsibility of all, including students, on their role in preventing conflict. 

In her message, the Director General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Ms Sahle-Work Zewde urged the students to use their knowledge and skills to positively impact their local communities. 

In his message presented by Ms Zewde, the UN Secretary-General noted that preventing Genocide is a shared responsibility. “States must uphold their obligations under International law to prevent abuses and protect their populations. Collectively we must go beyond words and effectively safeguard people at risk”, he underlined.

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda, Ms Yamina Karitanyi, called on the students to play a role in educating their peers and get involved in conversations on social media to share views and thoughts about genocide.

After the observance at UNON, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and heads of International Organizations attended a church service as part of activities to commemorate the anniversary. 

About 400 people attended the activities to commemorate the anniversary in honour of the victims of the genocide.

The United Nations Information Center (UNIC) in Nairobi, in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission, organized the observance of the 19th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda with students from various universities, secondary and primary schools in Kenya under the slogan “Healing, Reconciliation and Reconstruction”. 

Prior to the observance, the students participated in essay writing and art work on their "imagination of a country with no conflict", to underline the responsibility of everyone, including students, on their role in preventing conflict.

In her message, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi UNON), Ms Sahle-Work Zewde urged the students make use of their knowledge and skills acquired to positively impact the communities where they come from.

In his message presented by Ms Zewde, the UN Secretary-General noted that preventing Genocide is a shared responsibility. “States must uphold their obligations under International law to prevent abuses and protect their populations. Collectively we must go beyond words and effectively safeguard people at risk”, he underlined.

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda, Ms Yamina Karitanyi, called on the students to play a role in educating their peers and get involved in conversations on social media to share views and thoughts about genocide.

After the observance at UNON, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and heads of International Organizations attended a church service as part of activities to commemorate the anniversary.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the East Africa Community, Mr. Chiboli Shakaba urged Kenyans to stand in solidarity with the people of Rwanda as the country propels itself forward. He emphasized on the need of learning from the experiences of Rwanda and noted, “As citizens of Kenya, we must reflect and learn from what Rwanda sadly experienced. Kenyans must value each other; we must be considerate and tolerant of each other. Recognizing always that our diversity is not a limiting factor, rather, it is our strength and in embracing and channeling it positively as a country, we shall be able to achieve all that we set out to”.

About 400 people attended the activities to commemorate the anniversary in honor of the victims of the genocide.

The 12th session of the Model United Nations saw over 450 delegates from Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and India converge at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) under the theme “Sustainable Development: Averting Conflict by promoting a culture of peace and security through dialogue”.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Modibo Toure who was the chief guest called on the delegates to assume leadership roles as key stakeholders in shaping the peace and reconciliation agenda.In his speech during the opening ceremony, Mr. Toure encouraged the participants to be creative together during the session, in order to strive for new and innovative approaches to the common global problems of poverty alleviation, hunger, Environmental degradation and diseases such as HIV/Aids. He said, “The reality today is that we are all interdependent and have to co-exist on this small planet.  Therefore the only sensible and intelligent way of resolving differences and clashes of interests, whether between individuals or nations is through dialogue.

”The KMUN Secretary-General Ms.Nasra Nanda emphasized on the need for all youth, especially the participants to be actively engaged in nation building, as they use technology to convey messages of peace to each other.In his remarks the KMUN President of the Security Council Mohamed Abdirrak  Abdullahi advised the delegates to take up the key role in determining Kenya’s progress towards a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.

The Secretary-General of the Kenya Red Cross Society, Dr. Abbas Gullet, who is also the 2007 United Nations Person of the Year received a standing ovation from delegates of the Conference when he lauded the organization for being a model to emulate by many African countries for bringing together young minds from different countries, united for a common and worthy cause. Dr. Gullet said that the Kenya Red Cross Society has long recognized that the imagination, ideals and energies of young women and men are vital for the continuing development of the societies in which they live. He called on the delegates to embrace their differences in order to seize common opportunities and defend against shared threats.In his remarks during the closing ceremony of the KMUN Dr. Gullet noted: “The Red Cross Society has been at the forefront of promoting peace to avert conflict over the years as was witnessed recently in its Kumbukumbu 2008 Chagua Peace Campaign that was purposely designed to preach peace before, during and after the recent elections”.

Meanwhile, the KMUN General Assembly, under the Economics and Financial Committee adopted a resolution to encourage debtor countries to reduce on borrowing through creation of policies and projects that discourage dependence on loans but concentrate on trade relations and entrepreneurship. In addition the students were urged to adopt measures to address issues of drug abuse to prevent social anomalies such as sexual abuse.The conference, organized with the assistance of the UN Information Centre, Nairobi, was timely as it came immediately after the Kenya General elections under a new constitution. 

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nairobi in collaboration with the Embassy of the State of Israel Nairobi observed the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust by conducting a training programme in December 2012 at the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), on the history of the Holocaust to twenty students from the universities of Nairobi, Moi, Daystar and United States International University. According to the students the training was timely to remind them of the effects of hatred, intolerance and violence.

In addition, a solemn ceremony held at UNON on 25 January marked a minute of silence, candle lighting and screening of a 20-minutes film entitled “The last Korzac Boy”.

Katie Gilmer, a Middle School Model UN Conference participant meeting at UNON during the same time, presented remarks at the ceremony and emphasized: “Let us agree together that we will not follow this course of devaluation of our fellow humans.  In fact, let’s commit to helping guide our friends and families into the path of truth and peace.  Let us remind each other that EVERY man, woman and child is of infinite worth…..We can be an example to the world by treating people with decency and respect, honoring one another above ourselves. By so doing, we can keep the holocaust memory as a valuable warning and move forward to a future full of respect, love and harmony.

UNIC also mounted an exhibition on the holocaust and screened the video “The Rescuers” to about 300 guests that included Government Officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, university students, the media and UN staff.