21 February 2011 - Over 500 former students of the University of El Fasher in North Darfur today pledged to promote peace during their graduation ceremony this afternoon as thousands of friends and relatives looked on.

The graduates of the 2010/2011 academic year signed a pledge to encourage and support the peaceful coexistence of Darfur’s many peoples and put their skills and knowledge to serve and improve their communities.

“I sincerely believe that what we are gathered here today to witness will be a watershed in the search for sustainable peace in Darfur,” said Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari in his keynote speech. “It is a clear signal to all parties to the conflict that the young people of Darfur want peace and that they want it now. I am urging that all belligerents grant them their wishes, to make their dream come true so that our daughters and sons can live rich, useful and productive lives.”

Also present to show their support were twelve ambassadors of UNAMID contributing countries and the State Minister of Education, who offered their blessings and hopes for the students’ success.

The event concluded with a performance by acclaimed musician, Taha Suleiman. The ceremony was organized by the Community Outreach unit of UNAMID Communications and Public Information Division and the University’s Department of Student Affairs.

Last week, 300 of these youths attended a workshop by the United Nations Volunteers programme and UNAMID’s Outreach unit to exchange ideas on projects and come up with a number of recommendations on how they could reach out to their communities.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Mayada Umbadda, Media Relations; umbadda@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 250 1966