International Day of Peace: MONUSCO Beni organized a drawing contest

To commemorate the International Day of Peace, MONUSCO/Beni Public Information in collaboration with Civil Affairs organized on Monday 21 September 2015, a drawing competition around the theme of peace. 3 schools took part in the competition: Elementary school Kilewe, Elementary School Marie Corançon and “Académie Bilingue du Congo/Congo’s Bilingual Academy”. The 3 best drawings received awards and other participants received consolation prize.

The three drawings that received an award are: the drawing by a student of the Elementary school Kilewe consisting in a Dove as a symbol of peace; a drawing by a student of an elementary school Marie Corançon consisting in a weapon under a cross to say no to war and at last, the one by a student of “Académie Bilingue du Congo” consisting in a Church in the middle of a village as a symbol of peace.

The chief of MONUSCO/Beni, Jacob Mogeni, took the opportunity to appeal to the youth serving in active armed groups in the territory of Beni, inter alia, Ugandan ADF rebels, to lay down weapons. He condemned the use of children in armed groups, referring to them as the first victims of the war-related atrocities.

The Mayor of Beni, Nyonyi Bwanakawa underscored the importance of peace and the role played by MONUSCO in accompanying the DRC Government’s efforts for the restoration of peace in the country in general, in particular in Beni-Town and territory. He further highlighted the importance of the International Day of Peace and of raising children’s awareness of the peace for children are the breeding ground for stability in the DRC,” he concluded.

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