Beni, 27 April 2011 - The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO)'s office in Beni, North Kivu province, on 26th April organized a session to educate Congolese young people on its mandate and on current development issues in the country as well.

The session took place at MONUSCO premises and was attended by representatives from all local youth and student associations.

Addressing the young participants, the head of MONUSCO's Beni office, Mr. Ahmed Shariff, reminded them that, as future socio-economic and political development actors, they had a role to play in educating the population.
He stressed the need for the youth and students in particular, to be and remain the driving force as well as the vehicle of good ideas, and not retreat into their shells.

Then the Public Information office explained the mandate of MONUSCO, as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1925 of 28th May 2010. He also recalled the achievements and progress that had been made by the UN Mission before its name changed from MONUC to MONUSCO on 1st July 2010.

At the end of the session, the participants said they were pleased with it and expressed their wish to see more such sessions organized in future. In that spirit, they decided to meet regularly on a monthly basis, the first occasion being 29th may 2011, when together they will organize the Peacekeepers Day.