During 20-21 September 2014 the city of Kremenchuk celebrated the International Day of Peace. The event was supported by UNFPA Ukraine and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Ukraine.
Celebration of the International Day of Peace in Kremenchug comprised of a number of events aimed to promote peace. This year’s events included lectures on peace in schools, children drawing contests, public “Walk for Peace”, XVI Assembly of young diplomats, 2nd International youth folklore festival “Peace Dove”, and a special event “Peace Gong”.
The event gathered more than 3,000 people: youth activists, representatives from civil society organizations, students from schools, colleges, and universities from all regions of Ukraine, as well as IDPs from Lugansk and Donetsk.
Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine participated in the events together with Kremenchuk city officials: First Deputy Major Mr. Victor Kalashnik, Head of International Peace Committee in Ukraine Mr. Andriy Melnik, and representatives from international and diplomatic communities: Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Mrs. Ninik Kum Naryarie, Vice-Consul of the Republic of Poland Mr. Yakub Koralevski, UNV Representative Mr. Shinobu Mashima.
In her address to the citizens and guests of Kremenchug, Ms. Ehsan stressed that for Ukraine, this event is especially significant and has a whole new meaning, as for the first time since its independence, Ukraine faced a violent and brutal armed conflict – the conflict that already took lives of more than 3,000 Ukrainians, and is continuing to bring disparity and grief to the families, sons and daughters of which continue to die. Hundreds of thousands of people are being displaced and forced to move from their homes. Thousands of children and youth are taken away from their usual social environment.
Ms. Ehsan also stressed that: “As hard as it is today, Ukraine must know that it is not alone. The international community is standing by Ukraine’s side. The United Nations and its agencies, such as UNFPA, are actively involved in humanitarian response: providing support to IDPs and civilian population in the affected areas. A lot has already achieved, but much more remains to be done. This is why today we are joining our efforts, to show that Peace is a paramount necessity for human existence”.
The event culminated in the adoption of the “Resolution for Peace” that was prepared by youth and signed during the XVI Assembly of young diplomats. The Resolution that calls upon all decision-makers to end military conflict in Ukraine and to ensure peace, will be sent to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.
The text of the Resolution is attached.
