The Youth Sensitization Project in the five East African countries entered its second phase between Monday 15 February and Friday 26 February 2010. The phase consisted of launching officially the Painting and Essay Competition involving the youth in the region with partners from Ministries of Education, German Embassies and UN Agencies. The Tribunal held exhibitions and Press conferences on the work and achievements of the Tribunal in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. The exhibitions brought together hundreds of pupils and students from Primary and Secondary schools in the two countries.
In Nairobi, the exhibition took place at the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) from 15 – 19 February while in Kampala it took place from 23rd to 26 February 2010 at the Triangle Hotel. Similar events are scheduled to take place in Bujumbura, Burundi; Kigali, Rwanda, Dar es Salaam and Arusha in Tanzania in March and April 2010.
The Exhibitions, apart from highlighting the work of the Tribunal since its inception in 1994, its achievements and legacy, also explained issues relating to the Painting and Essay Competition Project for students aged between 8 – 16 years from nine Primary and Six Secondary Schools in Nairobi; and five Primary and five Secondary Schools in Kampala.
The Tribunal delegation was led by Mr. Roland Amoussouga, Chief of External Relations and Strategic Planning and Tribunal Spokesperson, Mr. Bocar Sy, Head of Communications Cluster and Project Manager, and Mr. Danford Mpumilwa, Associate Information Officer.
The Project, financed by the German Government through its Embassy in Dar es Salaam and involves the participation of the pupils and students from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania in a Painting (primary schools) and Essay (secondary schools) Competition. The Project aims at sensitizing the youth in the region on “The Role of the Tribunal in Promoting International Justice.” Entries will basically consist of answers to basic questions such as; what is International Justice? what is the Contribution of the Tribunal to National Reconciliation? and How Does the Tribunal fight Impunity? Presentation of the certificates of participation and awards ceremony for the winners of each country will be held in Arusha on 24 October 2010 on the occasion of the UN Day.
The Competition is part of the Tribunal’s Educational and Outreach campaign to raise awareness of the youth in the region in the global fight against the culture of impunity, following the tragic events which led to genocide in Rwanda in 1994.