UNICEF marks Int'l Peace Day in Ambon

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