Rwanda like the rest of the world yesterday September 21 marked and celebrated the annual International Day of Peace at Petit Stade Remera that attracted a peace walk from KBC Kimihurura round point to the stadium.
Rwandan artists’ peacemakers hosted attendants to a concert where different governmental and nongovernmental organizations participated.
The theme for International Day of Peace this year says ‘make your voice heard’ under the overall idea of peace and democracy.
Jean Batiste Habyarimana, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) on behalf of organizer of the event this year said that the day commemorates and strengthens the ideals of peace both within and among all nations.
Habyarimana in a press interview challenged Rwandans to celebrate and rejoice the day because of the past history.
“As Rwandans since the 1994 genocide there has been an interesting step to development, peace and stability and today we play a good example to the international scene. Let us keep on ensuring peace and stability through promoting security, fight poverty, and guarantee health standards and social comfort,” He emphasized.
The Kigali City Mayor Fidele Ndayisaba said that development and social stability is all about peace.
“In Kigali we are secure and we give better services to the public which means that we have peace. Today we just joined other organs to celebrate the day and to make a continuous mobilization at the event,” said Ndayisaba.
Aurelian Agbinonu, the UN Resident Coordinator recommended the Rwanda Defense Forces who are in peacekeeping mission in Darfur that contributed greatly to reducing of human suffering there while ensuring peace in the area.
He also challenged the youth to be peace volunteers and ensure stability.
The Minister in the Presidents’ office Venancia Tugireyezu as the chief guest at the event in her remarks urged parents and guardians to play crucial role in mobilizing the young upon the peace building.
The day was recommended in 1982 by the United Nation (resolutions 36/37 and 55/282), and the UN’s theme for International Day of Peace this year says ‘make your voice heard’ under the overall idea of peace and democracy.
In Rwanda, over the past two years, the International Day of Peace has been organized and celebrated under the lead of the United Nations Office in Rwanda.
This year, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission as her mandate of coordinating all activities related to peace and unity requires, has decided to take the lead of organizing and coordinating this year’s celebrations.
Leave a Reply