UNICEF marks Int'l Peace Day in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative office in Ambon in cooperation with the Maluku Library commemorated International Peace Day in the provincial capital on Tuesday.

Led by Maluku administration secretary Husein Soulissa, the event, normally marked on Sept. 22, demonstrated reconciliation among the children of the area, particularly elementary to senior high school students, who were once "separated" by three years of sectarian conflict since 1999.

Ambon UNICEF coordinator Willy Kumurur said the activity was part of his office's cooperation with the Maluku administration since 1998, in efforts to improve the living conditions of local children and mothers.

"The commemoration included a peace letter writing contest to the governor and regent/mayor, computer training and mobile library tours of 23 villages in Ambon and Central Maluku regency," he added.

In their peace letters to the Central Maluku regent, the Ambon mayor and the Maluku governor, the contest winners appealed to them to adopt a wise attitude in improving security, so that students could study in a peaceful climate. --Antara