United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nairobi participated in the Middle School Model United Nations (MUN) conference at the UN Complex which was held between 28 and 30 January 2009. The MUN focused on subjects such as human rights, ecology, health, technology, and the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The MUN was attended by 750 delegates from 29 Nairobi schools, as well as one from Uganda. In addition, the students held a charity event where money was raised to be used by the Kenya Red Cross to improve the situation for a great number of the 10 million starving people in Kenya.

UNON Chief of Conference Services, with support from the UNIC Director, addressed the students at the close of the conference.

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nairobi, in collaboration with the Israeli Embassy, observed the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust on 27 January 2009. The solemn function was attended by one hundred guests including members of the diplomatic corps, students from State House High School, United Nations staff and media representatives.

The UNIC Director moderated a programme with the theme “An Authentic Basis for Hope: Holocaust Remembrance and Education”. The programme included speeches by the Israeli and German Ambassadors and by a representative of the Jewish community.

The UNEP Deputy Executive Director read the United Nations Secretary-General's message of the Day and each guest lit one of six candles representing 6 million Jews who were killed during the Holocaust.

In addition, students from State House High School recited poems and visitors viewed an exhibition on the Holocaust, courtesy of the Israeli Embassy, after the ceremony.

On 10 December 2008, a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was held in Nairobi.
Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony which included government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), representatives of the UN system in Kenya and media.

The UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Kenya discussed the UDHR’s inherent values and reaffirmed the dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.

Representatives from the National Civil Society Congress as well as the Democratic Governance Donor Group also delivered messages during the ceremony. They emphasized the unfulfilled promise of the UDHR for many people and stressed the importance of State’s political will being aligned with previously made pledges.

On 4 December 2008 the United Nations Information Centre in Nairobi together with students from schools in Nairobi province presented over 2,000 letters and cards bearing Christmas messages to the Minister of Defense and the Chief of General Staff, Kenya Armed Forces. The messages will be delivered to Kenyan troops in UN peacekeeping missions.

Approximately 300 students participated in the even. Guests included a representative of the Ministry of Education, a representative of the UN Office in Nairobi, former peacekeepers and the Armed Forces band.

Students read some of the letters and cards before presenting the well wrapped boxes containing the letters and cards to the Minister of Defense.