Fatshimetrie
On the sidelines of the commemoration of United Nations Day celebrated throughout the world on October 24 of each year, a unique educational and informative initiative was set up by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) in collaboration with the students of the terminal of the Kimbuta school complex, located in the commune of Kasa-Vubu. This exciting exchange allowed the young students to discover in depth the different UN entities present in the DRC, their respective missions and the importance of their work in the country.
Through an interactive question-and-answer game, representatives of the agencies of the United Nations system introduced the students to UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA, IOM, WHO, UN-Habitat, BCNUDH, and many others. Each shared the date of creation of their entity, its specific mission and the year of its installation in the DRC. The aim was not only to raise awareness among adolescents about the crucial role of the United Nations, but also to inform them about children’s rights and the actions carried out in their favor.
During this enriching exchange, the representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlighted the agency’s work in the field of sexual and reproductive health, stressing the importance of protecting girls from abuse and sexual harassment. She recalled that education is a fundamental right and that no one should abuse it for personal gain.
In addition, the students were also made aware of the importance of fighting against disinformation and manipulation, scourges that fuel hate speech and the destabilization of society. The MONUSCO representative shared with them nine essential keys to distinguishing truth from falsehood in a world where the spread of false information has become commonplace.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN currently has 23 resident entities as well as other non-resident entities that operate through their respective offices. This year’s United Nations week has the theme “Acting together for peace, sustainable development, integrity and human dignity”, a call for unity to build a better future for all.
This exchange between students and representatives of UN agencies allowed for a collective awareness of the importance of education, the protection of children’s rights, and the fight against disinformation. A great initiative that opened the eyes of young people to the crucial role of the United Nations in building a better world, where peace, respect for human rights and sustainable development reign.
Fatshimetrie was the scene of an exchange rich in lessons that will remain etched in the memories of the young students, inviting them to commit to a better future, where the integrity and dignity of each human being are respected and promoted.
In conclusion, this event demonstrated once again the importance of educating and raising awareness among younger generations about global issues, in order to build a fairer and more united future for all.