President Wavel Ramkalawan received a delegation from the Seychelles International Day of Peace Committee for a courtesy call at State House this morning.
Led by the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Diana Benoit the members briefed the President on the work of the committee and their upcoming projects particularly in relation to the International Day of Peace commemorated on 21st September. The meeting was also any opportunity to discuss some of their future long term plans, raise key societal concerns as well as highlight how crucial the promotion peace and conflict resolution can be to Seychelles as a Small island nation.
The President, on behalf of Government and the people of Seychelles expressed appreciation to them for their commitment to such an important cause and pledged his full support in working together in finding ways of bringing the country forward through the concept of peace.
In 2018, the James R. Mancham Peace and Diplomacy Research Institute at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) approached the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS) to discuss about ways to collaborate in commemorating the UN International Day of Peace under the theme “The Right to Peace: Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”. CEPS and UniSey believed that the best way of achieving the broadest possible awareness and observance of the International Day of Peace was to approach other organisations including the Universal Peace Federation (UPF)-Seychelles, Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), Anse Royale Youth Hostel and the Seychelles Police. This eventually formed the first-ever International Day of Peace Committee (IDPC) in Seychelles.
The purpose of the Committee is to serve as a platform to convene all relevant partners to advocate and make recommendations on how to promote peace both at national and international level. The primary aim of the Committee is to sensitise the general public and encourage their active participation in peace-related activities.
The committee also made a symbolic presentation of a coconut tree to the President as a gesture of peace. Below leaving State House they also took the opportunity to pay a special visit to the resting place of Former President Sir James Mancham as they continue his legacy of promoting peace and conflict resolution across the nation.
Members of the Committee present included the Chairperson Ms. Diana Benoit, the Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Chantal Ellen, Committee Members Mrs. Rose-Mary Elizabeth, Mr. Terence Madeleine and Mr. Japhet Dailoo.