Host of activities to celebrate International Peace Day |06 September 2019

Members of the International Peace Day organising committee giving details about the activities

Peace marches, shows, a peace and climate action fair are some of the activities planned to celebrate International Peace Day in Seychelles this year and people are being encouraged to take part in large numbers.

On September 21, Seychelles will once again join the rest of the world to celebrate International Peace Day. International Peace Day was declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a day devoted to strengthening the ideas of peace, both within and among all nations and people.

This year’s theme is ‘Climate Action for Peace’ and in Seychelles, activities are being organised in line with the theme to take place on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue on that day. Members of the International Peace Day organising committee on Wednesday morning unveiled the activities they are planning to the press during a meeting at the head office of the Citizens Engagement Platform of Seychelles (Ceps) at Orion Mall.

The head of the committee, Diana Benoit from the University of Seychelles (UniSey), noted that as a small island state, we are also playing our role when it comes to reducing the impact of climate change. She said that through the different activities they hope to further raise awareness among our people, especially the young ones on the impact of climate change and the different mitigation measures that could be adopted. She encouraged people to be concerned and show their engagement by joining in the celebration.

On September 21, there will be a peace march in north and south Mahe. In the north, as from 9am the march will start at the Bel Ombre district administration office and will proceed via Saint Louis to finish at the Peace Park in Victoria. A similar march will also take place at the same time in south Mahe, precisely at the Anse Aux Pins playground and will end at the UniSey, Anse Royale. The marches to be headed by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), will see the involvement of students, youth groups and others. During the marches peace messages will be read at different check points along the way.

After the marches, there will be peace shows as from 11.30am at the Peace Park and at the UniSey. The shows will include songs, dances, poem recitals, and sketches among others by students, youth groups, senior citizens and representatives of different non-governmental organisations. Freestylers are also welcome to take part and to share their inspiration on the theme.

As from 1pm at the Peace Park, people will be able to take part in a Climate Action Fair. In the fair, one will be able to learn more about what climate change is and how to help mitigate it through inter-active activities, recycling ideas and much more. It will be mounted by the Ocean Project Seychelles in collaboration with different environment bodies and the business community. Activities at the Peace Park will also include tree planting.

Apart from the march, the day on the outer islands will also be marked by peace talks and sports activities for the youth at the Baie Sainte Anne playing field. The youth from La Digue will join their counterparts on Praslin for the activities. On arrival at the Baie Saint Anne jetty, the La Digue youth will march towards the centre of Baie Sainte Anne where they will meet their counterparts coming from Grand Anse and Baie Saint Anne Praslin, who would have already completed part of their march in their respective districts, at the junction leading to the Baie Saint Anne Hospital for the final march to the playing field. This march is expected to start at 10am and the activities on the playing field will begin at 4pm.

Superintendent Antoine Denousse said that the police will be providing assistance during the marches and he has called on drivers to be tolerant and more prudent while the marches will be taking place.

Apart from Ms Benoit and Mr Denousse, also present at the press meeting were Simon Barra representing the SNYC, Victoria Alis from the Ocean Project Seychelles, Chantale Ellen from Ceps and Lynndina Essack from the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.