Bukavu, 29 April 2011 – About 30 students from SOS Vocational Training Centre and some 50 others from the Byaena School were briefed on the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) on 28 and 29 April.

The training, which was conducted by MONUSCO's Public Information Office in collaboration with the United Nations Association, started with a video titled "UN-DRC: 50 years of partnership", followed by a presentation on the Mission's top priorities in its mandate, namely the protection of civilians as well as the stabilisation and peace consolidation.

The presentation led to a series of questions from the participants, especially the restoration of peace, the protection of civilians, the strengthening of State authority, the struggle against impunity, as well as the division of tasks between the Congolese State and its various partners, as defined in the UN Security Council Resolution 1925.

Both students and school officials said they were happy about the training, and thanked MONUSCO for the initiative. Thye said they were hoping to see more of these workshops in the future.